4-H News in Washington County – May 2020
Dates to Remember
May 13 – June 17: Citizen Science 4-H Club (see News from the State from more information)
May 15: ESE Dairy Approval Form extended due to Covid-19
May 22: National 4-H Trip Application Deadline
June 15: Deadline to submit entries for the Washington County 4-H Arts and Crafts Showcase
June 15: Deadline to submit photos for the 4-H “Learn at Home” Bingo
June 30: Animal Approval Form Deadline
July 16-19: Maine 4-H Days
July 31: Deadline to submit photos for the Washington County 4-H Photo Contest
Ongoing Weekly Online Events
Mondays: Mainely Dish Mondays, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Tuesdays: QuaranTEEN Virtual Science Cafes, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Wednesdays: Wednesdays in the Woods , 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Thursdays: Growing Maine Gardeners 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Fridays: 4-H Friday Fun, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Washington County Youth Participate in First Virtual Maine State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
Washington County 4-H members, Mikaila L., an Independent member and Noah M., of Cobscook Currents 4-H Club, presented in the first virtual State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament held on April 25 via ZOOM where they both received blue ribbons. In addition, Mikaila earned a spot on the Eastern State Exhibition Communications Team scheduled for later this fall in Springfield, MA.
Mikaila, who is a senior in high school this year and has participated in 4-H for ten years, says this about her 4-H public speaking experience, “4-H Public Speaking has opened countless doors for me through the years. It has given me invaluable interpersonal skills, skills that have served me well in job and college admission interviews, as well as everyday life. My love for public speaking has even inspired me to pursue a career in law.”
If you did not get a chance to watch the awards ceremony, you may do so here: 2020 Maine State 4-H Public Speaking Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to all our 4-H’ers who participated in the public speaking in 2020! We are very proud of you.
2020 Washington County 4-H Photo Contest
Get out there and take photos for the 2020 Washington County 4-H Photo Contest! More information can now be found online at the Washington County 4-H Photo Contest website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, July 31, 2020.
Here are the some of the wonderful photos that were submitted for the 2019 contest.
Washington County 4-H Arts and Crafts Showcase
Do you have an interest in arts and crafts? Has staying at home inspired you to try a new artistic hobby? Washington County 4-H wants to see what you’ve been creating! Click here for more information on the first-ever Washington County 4-H Arts and Crafts Showcase. Each youth who submits an entry will receive a 4-H prize! The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2020.
Animal Approval Forms
4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point
Scholarships are still available! Please contact Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu or 207-255-3345 to request one for the 2020 summer camp season. For more information about the 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greeland Point, visit the camp website.
UMaine Extension 4-H in Washington County Facebook
Please remember to like the UMaine Extension 4-H in Washington County Facebook page! We are posting new content daily!
4-H News from the State
Daily Virtual 4-H Offerings!
As a part of UMaine Cooperative Extension’s response to the changes in the world due to the novel coronavirus, we have created a weekly schedule of activities to keep youth engaged in learning:
Monday: “Mainely Dish” Mondays” – nutrition professionals from the UMaine Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) share videos of easy and healthy snacks kids can make at home.
Tuesday: QuaranTEEN Virtual Science Cafes – Join us each Tuesday where you will meet scientists, learn about how they ended up at UMaine and how they became involved in their work/research, and participate in informal discussions. So, sign up and learn some cool science! Registration is required, learn more about the topics and sign up for the cafes at:
Wednesday: “Wednesdays in the Woods” Outdoor Activities – join the 4-H Camps and Learning Centers for outdoor adventures. Live on Wednesdays on the UMaine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Tanglewood Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tanglewood4h/) join Hannah Raymond as she does different outdoor activities you can do in your own back yard!
Thursday: Growing Maine Gardeners – Join UMaine Extension Horticulturist Kate Garland and her kids in videos that introduce gardeners to fun projects and new techniques. New videos and activity sheets are posted every Thursday at:
Friday: Learn at Home with 4-H Friday Fun! Videos – Each Friday, watch for a new hands-on activity that you can try out with simple materials you have at home. Watch a short video clip to see how it’s done or download our 4-H Learn from Home activity sheets. Each activity outlines materials needed, easy to follow instructions, reflection questions for discussion and activity extensions.
Learn at Home: Educational Resources to Use During School Closures
With novel coronavirus closing schools across Maine for several weeks, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has assembled this collection of helpful educational resources for parents and caregivers. From science to financial literacy, whether for toddlers or teenagers, we encourage you to take advantage of these activity books, guides, and other resources to help children remain engaged in educational experiences throughout their school closure. Find resources for every age group at Maine 4-H “Learn at Home”.
4-H “Learn at Home” BINGO
Looking for some fun family activities you can do from your own home? Maine 4-H invites you to play 4-H Learn at Home BINGO! Register online to receive your bingo board.
New 4-H Citizen Scientists Club
We have an exciting opportunity for kids in 4th through 8th grade to join a new virtual 4-H club – the 4-H Citizen Scientists! In this club you’ll practice citizen science in your own back yard, and observe and report on the nature around you while making connections with fellow citizen scientists around the state! The club will meet Wednesdays starting May 13 through June 17, 2020. This club is limited to ten members, and online registration is required. If there is enough interest, we may consider adding additional dates. Register for the club online.
We have some great resources to learn about different Citizen Science opportunities.
Deadline to Apply for National 4-H Conference and Congress has been Extended to May 22, 2020!
National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation. Participants learn about many career options, and learn through educational workshops at National 4-H Congress, or become a part of a team making recommendations to the National 4-H Council at Conference. To learn more about these trips, visit the website. Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18, is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. This year based on the ongoing Covid 19 crisis and the shelter-in-home orders, we are extending the application deadline. (Thank you to all those who have already sent in applications, we have them on file.) Application packets must be sent to: State 4-H Office 491 College Avenue, Orono ME 04473 or emailed to brainerd@maine.edu by May 22, 2020. They must be emailed by the end of the day, or postmarked by May 22, 2020. You will be called or emailed directly for a convenient interview date and time. Interviews most likely will be held via “Zoom” technology or something similar. This schedule applies to applicants who have already sent in their applications. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Palmer at 207-310-4235 (cell) or heidi.thuotte@maine.edu. 2020 National 4-H Congress is still scheduled to take place on November 27-December 1, 2020 in Atlanta GA. (The Congress trip orientation is scheduled for October 24, 2020) and 2021 National 4-H Conference is scheduled in Washington, D.C., April 10-15, 2021. (The 2021 Conference orientation will be Feb 13, 2021).
Camp Scholarships Available
The Maine 4-H Foundation has camp scholarships ranging from $100-$200 available for 4-H members to anyone week of 4-H camp. Try one of our University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point and Tanglewood. Call the camps to ask for a scholarship. Scholarships are based on need and first-come, first-serve. https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/camps/
Virtual UMaine Webpage
If you’re interested in UMaine – there is a dedicated web page for students to learn more information because Accepted Student Days and Open House Programs have been canceled for the spring. Check it out at: https://go.umaine.edu/admitted-fyr/.
All 4-H Club Meetings and Events Canceled Until Further Notice
Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in Maine, UMaine Extension is canceling all 4-H club meetings and events until further notice (no matter what size group).
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- Coronavirus | Airborne Disease Surveillance Epidemiology Program | MeCDC
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–Coronavirus Summary
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–Coronavirus Fact Sheet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–What the Public Should Do
- S. Department of State–China Travel Advisory
We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more information. Please contact your county office if you have specific questions.
Save the Date for 2020 Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days will take place July 16 – 19, 2020 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are interested in helping to plan this year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at brainerd@maine.edu or 207.581.3877.
Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee
July will be here before you know it, and we are looking for a few good volunteers to join the fantastic current Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee. Joining this committee gives you the chance to help come up with ideas and plans for one of our biggest statewide events! If you are interested in joining the Maine 4-H Days Planning Committee, or have general questions/comments/recommendations about the event, please email brainerd@maine.edu, or call 207.581.3877.
National 4-H Dairy Conference
The 66th National 4-H Dairy Conference will be held September 27 to September 30, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. It will be held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo and attendees will have the chance to visit Expo as part of the conference agenda. Additionally, the conference will offer opportunities to learn more about careers in agriculture, seminars on dairy topics, and a wealth of chances to interact with dairy 4-H members from across the country. More info about the conference can be found here (check back for updates as they happen). The Maine 4H Animal Science Dairy Committee would love to try and send/support a team of motivated kiddos who are involved with the Dairy Goat, or Dairy Cattle Project Areas for this very unique and meaningful opportunity. The National 4H Dairy Conference requires that 4H team members: Have spent at least three years in those project areas, and be at least 15 years old but not yet older than 18 (4H age). We are also looking for potential VOLT Chaperones who might like to help organize and facilitate this trip. If we have an idea of how many kids are interested we can plan our fundraising efforts accordingly. Interested parties can contact Tara marble at marble@maine.edu, or 207-778-4650 at the Franklin County Office.