4-H News in Washington County – May 2021
Dates to Remember
April 28 – May 9: Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply Co. in Calais
May 4: 4-H Teen Science Cafe– Remote Survey Techniques with Meredith Lewis, Graduate Research Assistant in Ecology and Environmental Science
May 5–June 9: Virtual 4-H Citizen Science Club
May 11: 4-H Teen Science Cafe – Meet Amber Gray, a Social Sciences and Humanities Librarian at UMaine’s Raymond H. Fogler Library
May 17: 2021 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form Deadline
May 18: 4-H Teen Science Cafe – First-Year Student, First Year in the Lab – Katherine Stevens, a freshman at UMaine
May 21: Registration Deadline for In-person Spring 2021 Maine 4-H Dog Clinic
May 28: Early registration for Virtual 4-H Summer Learning Series
June – August: Virtual 4-H Summer Learning Series
June 12: In-person Spring 2021 Maine 4-H Dog Clinic, UMaine’s Witter Farm, Old Town
July 11-August 6: 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point Programs
Congratulations to Washington County Participants of the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
On Saturday, April 17, three 4-H’ers from Washington County participated in the virtual 2021 Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament. Congrats to Ira D. of Cobscook Currents and Samuel F., Independent member, who received green participation ribbons in the Cloverbud division. Congrats to Soren D. of Cobscook Currents who received a blue ribbon, Top Junior Blue Ribbon, and Top Overall Scorer. Well done!
If you missed the Awards Ceremony, you may watch it here.
4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point
This past year has been challenging for everyone, especially our young folks. The camps at the 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point are the perfect way to reconnect with the outdoors and one another. Many modifications to programs have been made to provide a safe and exciting experience for the campers!
Staff are busy getting camp ready for youth! Improvements include installing a new ceiling in V-match pine and a new floor in the dining room. The cabins are all being re-roofed in green metal roofing, and the new 24′ X 32′ open air classroom pavilion will be complete by mid June.
For more information, about the different camp programs available, please visit the website. Scholarships are still available and you can find out more by contacting Bethany at bethany.pelletier@maine.edu.
Tractor Supply Co. Paper Clover Campaign
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Washington County is offering a free, online read-aloud program for youth ages 4 to 9 beginning May 4 from 3:30–4:15 p.m. The series continues each Tuesday through June 8.
“Food, Fun, and Reading” will feature an interactive activity about MyPlate, based on the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition guidelines, and a read-aloud story with a different Washington County library each week.
The series is free; registration is required. Register on the program webpage [extension.umaine.edu/washington/food-fun-reading/]. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.255.3345; rita.stephenson@maine.edu.
News from the State
4-H Summer Learning Series
After an incredibly successful 4-H Summer Learning Series last year, Maine 4-H will once again offer virtual experiential learning workshops and clubs to youth ages 5-18 throughout June, July, and August 2021. Topics range from engineering, art, science, animal and agriculture, food and nutrition, teen leadership, and more – there is truly something for everyone! An exciting addition this year is that 4-H@UMaine will be offered as part of the 4-H Summer Learning Series – so keep your eyes peeled for a special 4-H@UMaine “track” of workshops connecting youth to UMaine faculty and students on campus!
Early registration will be available to enrolled 4-H’ers on Friday, May 28, 2021 and will open to the public on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Help us spread the word to your friends and communities – enrollment in 4-H is not required to participate, this event is open to all! For more information, visit the 4-H Summer Learning Series
webpage.
Coming this fall….the 2021 Virtual Exhibit Hall!!
Start planning now to showcase your 4-H projects in the online exhibit hall in October. There will be a couple of new categories to feature a broader view of your work! Be on the lookout for more details on the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website and by email.
Spreading the Love of Chickens
There are some Androscoggin-Sagadahoc 4-Hers who want to share a great opportunity to spread the love of chickens. They participated in the Egg Entrepreneurship project and want to donate some of their extra chickens to other interested 4-H members in Maine.
From one of the participants:
Because of the Egg Entrepreneurship project we have had the opportunity to start our own egg business, Chickswell and Beans. Chickswell and Beans raised organic chickens for organic eggs. It has been such a great opportunity and we have learned many great life skills along the way. We would like to give 4 organic pullets to a 4Her that is committed to the egg entrepreneurship project. We would love to find homes for these chickens as soon as possible (within a week would be best).
If you are interested, please contact Jess W.
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.
– May 4 – Remote Survey Techniques with Meredith Lewis, Graduate Research Assistant in Ecology and Environmental Science. Learn how scientists use remote survey techniques (imagery) to survey wildlife species in Maine.
– May 11 – Meet Amber Gray, a Social Sciences and Humanities Librarian at UMaine’s Raymond H. Fogler Library – and learn about her journey and what exactly it means to be a librarian? Here’s a hint: there’s more to it than relaxing and reading books!
– May 18 – First-Year Student, First Year in the Lab – Katherine Stevens, a freshman at UMaine is going to meet with youth this week to talk about her experience as a first-year college student, and what that’s meant for her in terms of working in a lab, and experiencing student life.
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 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.
UMaine Offers Summer Camps and Academic Programs!
The Early College Program allows students to take college courses while they are still in high school. Students can take these courses either tuition-free or at a reduced early college rate. If you are a high school student interested in taking some college courses this summer, visit the Early College website.
For a listing of Youth summer camps affiliated with the University of Maine, visit the Youth Summer Camps website.
Spring 2021 Maine 4-H Dog Clinic (in-person!)
The Spring 2021 Maine 4-H Dog Clinic will be held in-person at the UMaine Witter Farm in Old Town, Maine. You don’t need a dog to participate and all skill levels are welcome however, you must be 4-H age 9 or older. Registration closes on May 21. For more information or to register, please go to the website, or contact Sheila
Norman at sheila.norman@maine.edu or 207.942.7396.