2\/17:\u00a0<\/strong>Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl – Augusta<\/p>\n 2\/17:\u00a0<\/strong>ESE 4-H Dairy Intent forms due<\/p>\n 3\/1: <\/strong>Waldo County 4-H CWF applications due<\/p>\n 3\/7:\u00a0<\/strong>Total Eclipse Prep Party for 4-H Volunteers- Orono<\/p>\n 3\/9: <\/strong>Regional Public Speaking Contest – Augusta<\/p>\n 3\/27: <\/strong>Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series-registration due<\/p>\n Applications to attend CWF 2024 are now available! Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a 4-H leadership program for high school youth, ages 14-18, from across the country. Take your 4-H experience to another level through Citizenship Washington Focus, a six-day intensive summer citizenship program for youth.\u00a0 CWF delegates learn about the democratic process and their role as citizens while they experience our nation\u2019s capital. Get the inside scoop about how government really works from prominent guest speakers and interact with Maine\u2019s state senators and representatives and\/or their staffers. Program fellows lead bill writing workshops, a national issues forum and mock elections. There are congressional sessions that prepare youth for leadership now and in the future.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Waldo County 4-H CWF applications are available online at extension.umaine.edu\/waldo\/4h\/forms\/<\/a>. Applications are due to the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office by March 1st. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For more information visit the <\/span>National CWF website<\/span> at 4-h.org\/events\/citizenship-washington-focus\/<\/a> or contact the Waldo County Cooperative Extension office.<\/span><\/p>\n The Maine 4-H Foundation has scholarships available for graduating seniors! These scholarships are available to participants in the 4-H program pursuing higher education in 2024. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2024. Applications must be submitted to your county office\u00a0via email and include a letter or recommendation from a non-family member. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Applications and reference forms can be found online at <\/span>extension.umaine.edu\/4hfoundation\/funding\/<\/span><\/a>. If you need a reference or have any questions, please reach out to Sadee Mehuren at <\/span>sadee.mehuren@maine.edu<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Waldo County 4-H members are invited to participate in the regional public speaking contest on<\/span> March 9th at 9:30. The event will be held at the University of Maine Augusta. The event will serve as a qualifying event for the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Contest. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You can register for the event here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n For more information on the 4-H public speaking program and resources for success visit <\/span>extension.umaine.edu\/4h\/public-speaking\/<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On April 8th, 2024 Maine will experience a full solar eclipse, a once in a lifetime opportunity!<\/span><\/p>\n What is a solar eclipse?<\/span><\/b> What is a total solar eclipse?<\/span><\/b> Go to plus.nasa.gov\/video\/space-place-in-a-snap-what-is-a-solar-eclipse-2\/<\/a> for a short animation from NASA<\/span>\u202fthat explains what we will see during a solar eclipse and why it happens. Curious whether you\u2019ll be in the path of totality?\u202f<\/span>This solar eclipse look up tool\u202f<\/span> located at eclipsesoundscapes.org\/eclipse-lookup-tool\/<\/a> allows you to see whether you will experience a total or partial solar eclipse on April 8<\/span>th<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Not long after the New Year celebrations have ended and Maine hunkers down for several more weeks of winter, some farmers and landowners across the state turn their attention to maple sugar season. Depending on the weather, maple trees start to release their sweetness anytime between February and April and <\/span>there\u2019s<\/span> a lot of work to be done to prepare for collecting the sap and boiling it down into syrup.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> Tuesday, February 13, 6:30-8:00pm (virtual via ZOOM)<\/span> Volunteer Connections offer monthly ZOOM calls for 4-H volunteers from the entire Northeast region. Join us to connect and learn with and from other 4-H volunteers! It’s free, but you must\u202f<\/span><\/i>register\u202f<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u202fSign up today and invite a friend-we hope to see you there<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n On April 8, 2024, parts of Maine will experience a total solar eclipse- and this won\u2019t happen for another 20 years!\u202fA total solar eclipse happens when the moon lies exactly between the sun and the Earth, casting its shadow on a small patch of the Earth\u2019s surface. Does the idea of a total solar eclipse light your spark? Are you interested in learning more about it and sharing your excitement with youth? If so, we want you to join us!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Explore the intertidal zone and help with marine science research! In this workshop, we will learn about animals you might find during low tide and use some amazing equipment to take awesome pictures on your phone to identify them. Along the way, we\u2019ll learn about invasive species, climate change, species identification, and how you can participate in research by just taking a picture. Please note that the ability to get to the beach and supervision are required (at least once, between sessions). Participants must have access to a durable digital camera (a phone is fine). This workshop is supported by Maine EPSCoR at the University of Maine. Register by March 27th, so supplies can be mailed to attendees\u2019 homes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove are now hiring for our spring and summer seasons! Positions include Educators, Counselors, Trip Leaders, and more. Please visit our website at\u202f<\/span>extension.umaine.edu\/tanglewood\/employment\/\u202f<\/span><\/a>\u202ffor more\u202finformation and to apply.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/b>\u00a0Young Explorers at Blueberry Cove, our new early childhood enrichment program, is accepting registrations for 2024! The program focuses on play, sensory learning, and developing\u202f social skills in an outdoor setting. Explorers spend time with our camp animals, play at the forest and beach, and read stories. Ages 3 – 5, M, W, & F from 9 am – 12 pm. More information:\u202f<\/span>extension.umaine.edu\/tanglewood\/st-george-school-programs\/young-explorers-day-program\/<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Waldo County 4-H News:<\/h3>\n
<\/a>CWF Applications Now Available<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n<\/a>4-H Foundation Scholarships<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n<\/a>Public Speaking<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
\n<\/a>State 4-H News:<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Solar Eclipse Coming to Maine!\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nWhen the moon orbits the earth, sometimes the moon moves between the earth and sun. At the right angle, the moon blocks the sun\u2019s light from reaching earth and causes a solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse the Moon\u2019s shadow is cast upon earth in certain locations.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nA total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are in a direct line. It is visible from only certain locations on earth during a solar eclipse when the center of the Moon\u2019s shadow hits the earth, the sky goes dark and we can experience changes in a short amount of time (temperature, sounds, etc.).<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Maple Sugaring 101: From Sap, to Syrup, to Sales<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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<\/span>Maple Sugaring 101 is a 6-week program open to Maine youth ages 9 to 15 who are interested in learning about the entire maple sugaring process. Participants will learn about forest management, tapping trees, transporting sap, using an evaporator, <\/span>grading<\/span> and storing syrup, and <\/span>operating<\/span> a maple sugaring business.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
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<\/span>Each week, participants will learn about the process and connect with other young maple sugar makers through online meetings and in-person workshops led by Extension and University of Maine experts. Online meetings are scheduled for Wednesday evenings: February 7, February 14, and February 28. On-site workshops will be held at participating sugarhouses following the virtual sessions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
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<\/span>Club leaders who would like to have their club <\/span>participate<\/span> in this program, please contact your <\/span><\/span>4-H County Professional<\/span><\/span><\/a> or Andrew <\/span>Hudacs<\/span> by Monday, January 29, 2024: <\/span><\/span>andrew.hudacs@maine.edu<\/span><\/span><\/a>, 207.581-8204.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
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<\/span>Youth who are interested in the program but are not a member of a participating club are welcome to register.<\/span>\u202f Travel beyond their home county may be <\/span>required<\/span> to attend onsite sessions. Registration ends: February 5, 2024.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Volunteer Connections- Be a Positive Communicator<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
\nThis session will focus on how to use positive communication strategies to manage difficult conversations or conflict with\u202fothers. Learn about constructive responses, and conciliatory gestures and how they can be used to de-escalate conflicts.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Total Eclipse Prep Party for 4-H Volunteers<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
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\n<\/a>Tidepool Immersion Discovery + Ecology Workshop Series<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\n<\/a>Come to Work at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove!<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/a>Young Explorers Early Childhood Enrichment<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/a>4-H Volunteer Workshops for the 2023-2024 4-H Year<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n