4-H News in Washington County – April 2021

Dates to Remember

April 13: Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafe- Bogged Down with Dr. Erin McDonald

April 16-18: Maine State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament

April 18: 4-H Public Speaking Tournament Awards Ceremony, 4:00 p.m.

April 24- May 27: Virtual 4-H Passport Around the World SPIN Club

April 24: Maine 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Tryouts

April 27: Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafe- Learn about Ocean Acidification’s Impact on Lobster with Dr. Heather Hamlin

April 30: 4-H Winter Activity Series Cooking with Herbs Cooking Demonstration, 9:30 a.m.

April 28 – May 9: Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co. in Calais

May 5–June 9: Virtual 4-H Citizen Science Club

May 17: 2021 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form Deadline

July 11-August 6: 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point Programs

 

4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point Open This Summer!
The University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point located right here in Washington County will be offering day and overnight camps weekly July 11 through August 6, 2021 for youth ages 5 to 15! Registration is now open!

The camp is nestled in the center of a 64-acre wooded peninsula known as Greenland Point on Long Lake in Princeton. Long Lake is one of several large lakes near Grand lake Stream in the Down East region of Maine. The camp includes traditional rustic log cabins that form a small village and a sporting-camp-style lodge and dining hall. The extensive waterfront includes an aquatics area, boating docks, and natural shoreline, providing swimming, boating and great fishing opportunities. The forested location boasts hiking trails and unique natural features to explore, and includes remote campsites, and plenty of wildlife that call Greenland Point home.

Campers’ weekly routine will include outdoor skills development, cooling swims, and canoeing at our beautiful waterfront, hiking, and learning basic survival and outdoor safety
skills. Unless otherwise noted, programs are one week (Sunday through Friday).

For more information about the camp programming and to register, visit https://extension.umaine.edu/greenland-point/summer-camp/.

For information about camp scholarships, contact Bethany Pelletier at 207.665.2068.

UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4-H Winter Activity Series
4-H Herb Garden
Thank you to all who joined in this winter season for our Washington County 4-H Winter Activity Series. Youth from across the county participated in various hands-on learning experiences such as geocaching, wildlife tracking and indoor herb gardening. A big thanks to Ron Fournier, Director of UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Centers at Bryant Pond and Greenland Point who led youth through a virtual program about the basics and winter safety skills for geocaching.
 
Join us for one last virtual program, Friday, April 30th at 9:30 am. Rita Stephenson, Community Education Assistant with EFNEP, will lead a demonstration for cooking with herbs. If you are not registered for the Indoor Herb Garden kit but are interested in attending the demonstration email brittany.foster@maine.edu for the meeting link.
 
For more information about take home kits or upcoming 4-H opportunities, contact Brittany Foster, 4-H Youth Development Professional at brittany.foster@maine.edu.

 

National Volunteer Week April 18th- 24th
This past year has been unusual in many ways due to COVID, including a new 4-H Development Professional joining the Washington County 4-H Program. Even though we have not been able to meet in person, your efforts to communicate and connect with me and the 4-H program during this time have not gone unnoticed. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the encouragement and kind words that have been sent. Our 4-H program is volunteer driven and the impacts you have on positive youth development have meaningful outcomes. Thank you for your continued support through the volunteer work you have done and continue to do with 4-H.
Sincerely,
Brittany Foster, Washington County 4-H Youth Development Professional 
 

Tractor Supply Co. 4-H Paper Clover Campaign
The Tractor Supply Co. 4-H Paper Clover Campaign will be held Wednesday, April 28th through Sunday, May 9th4-H’ers will not be allowed to be in store, including the parking lot for Spring 2021.  There will be a 4-H display in the store, please contact Brittany, brittany.foster@maine.edu if you’d like to contribute photos or a project to the display.

 

Mainely Dish: Potato Strips, Baked
This 5 ingredient recipe is simple and delicious!

 

 

4-H News from the State

Exciting Upcoming Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes
Maine 4-H Virtual Teen Science cafes will take place on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 4:45 pm. Pre-registration is required, and registration links are online.

April 13 – Bogged Down with Dr. Erin McDonald – From wooden trackways to human remains (including hair and nails!), rare archaeological artifacts are often found preserved in the dark, wet bogs of Ireland. Come learn about the preservation powers of Ireland’s peatlands and the stories of the bog bodies found within them.

April 27 – Learn about Ocean Acidification’s Impact on Lobster with Dr. Heather Hamlin

 

2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
The 2021 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will take place virtually over the weekend of April 17 – 18, 2021. If you are interested in participating in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program and need assistance in any way, please contact us to discuss your needs. We are committed to making 4-H programs accessible to all youth, regardless of internet or technology access.

Family, friends, and the general public who wish to support youth can join us for the Awards Ceremony! The Awards Ceremony will be streamed live via Facebook Live, YouTube, and Zoom on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 4:00pm. We encourage you to invite anyone you’d like — there is no limit on attendees!

Questions about the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Program? Contact Sheila Norman, 207.942.7396.

 

Maine 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Tryouts
The Maine 4-H dairy quiz bowl tryouts will be held virtually on April 24th at 11:00 am. This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team. We do not know what the summer and fall look like for events and practice sessions, but those who make the team may have the opportunity to travel in-person or compete virtually at a regional competition.

Maine 4-H dairy quiz bowl tryouts are open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members age 9-18. Youth will be divided into two age categories, Jr. ages 9-11 and Sr. ages 12-18. Registration is required for the event. All youth are required to register prior to April 17th. Practice sessions will be required for youth to learn the event software and test their internet connection. Register Online.

More information on the Maine 4-H dairy quiz bowl tryout process and other 4-H dairy activities can be found online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/animal-science-resources/dairy/2021-maine-4-h-dairy-quizbowl/ . Questions about the event can be directed to Tara Marble at marble@maine.edu or Sadee Mehuren at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu.

 

4-H Market Lamb Intent for Fryeburg Fair
Youth planning to participate in the Market Lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit the 2021 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form by May 17th. An online form is available, otherwise youth can print and mail a copy downloaded from the website.

 

Update Regarding Maine 4-H Days
The in-person event: Maine 4-H Days has been canceled for 2021. Information will be shared later in the spring about upcoming 4-H activities for the summer.

 

4-H Passport Around the World SPIN Club
Join Maine 4-H and Greenheart Exchange as we travel around the world virtually and meet other teens from across the globe! Meetings will include a brief presentation from a Greenheart Exchange Student, an activity, and Q & A. This SPIN Club is best for ages 12-18 and open to all youth. A minimal supply list will be provided for each activity. Dates are Saturdays April 24th Lebanon, May 8th Armenia, May 22nd Slovakia, from 9:30-10:30 AM and Thursdays, April 29th Moldova, May 13th Romania and 27th Czech Republic from 4:00-5:00 PM register online.

 

4-H Citizen Science Club
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H will offer a citizen science club for grades 4–8 meeting weekly 3:30–4:30 p.m. from May 5–June 9.

This virtual 4-H citizen scientists club encourages youth to practice citizen science in their own backyard, with a variety of citizen science opportunities to consider, and report their observations while making connections with fellow citizen scientists in their community and around the state. Youth will need online access and the ability to take and share photos.

The club is free to join; enrollment is limited to 15 members. Register on the 4-H club webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.581.8206 or sarah.sparks@maine.edu.