Cooperative Extension in Washington County

4-H in Washington County – February 2022

Dates to Remember

February 3: Winter Series 4-H SPIN Club: Pet Treats for Shelters

February 5 & 11: UMaine Versant Astronomy Center Programs

February 10 – 13: National Youth Healthy Living Summit 

February 12: In-person Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Workshop, 10:00 a.m.

February 16: 4-H Volunteer Cabin Fever Series, Designing Captivating & fun activities, 6:30 p.m.

February 16 & March 16: Statewide 4-H Public Speaking Workshops

February 23: Maine’s Mysterious Marshlands Webinar

February 26: Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Tryout

February 28: Virtual Office Hours for Washington County 4-H Volunteers, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

March 1: Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline

March 1 & 8: Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today! Training

March 3: Winter Series 4-H SPIN Club: Planting for Spring

March 5: Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, 9:00 a.m.

March 5: Washington County 4-H Nature in Focus SPIN Club

March 10 – 13:  National Youth Agri-Science Summit 

March 12: SNOW DATE for Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, 9:00 a.m.

March 16: 4-H Volunteer Cabin Fever Series, Expanding possibilities for youth, 6:30 p.m.

March 17: A Year in Nature SPIN Club Virtual Meeting

March 24, April 28 & May 26: 4-H For All Virtual Club

April 1: Maine 4-H ESE Sheep Intent Form Deadline

June 25-July 1: Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

July 27-31: Union Fair 

4-H Nature in Focus SPIN Club

• Participants: Washington County residents | Ages 9-18 |10 maximum
• Dates, Locations & Times: 
  Saturday, March 5, 2022: Middle River Park, Machias
  Saturday, April 30: Machias River Preserve, Machias
  Saturday, June 4: Pike Lands Preserve, Lubec
  Sunday, July 17: Ingersoll Point Preserve, South Addison
  Sunday, September 11: Denbow Point Preserve, Lubec
  Saturday, October 15: Pigeon Hill Preserve, Steuben
  Wednesday, October 26: Virtual Zoom Session, Editing Photographs | 5:30pm-6:30pm
  All sessions are from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted.
• Cost: Free

Description:  Explore the outdoors through photography, environmental education, outdoor recreation, and creative expression! Each week we’ll work to develop a deeper connection to nature by capturing photo moments and learning basic photography skills. We’ll start with a short photography lesson then set off on a hike with
a new photography challenge in hand. At the end of the program series we’ll host a photo showcase to share our favorite shots of the year with the community.

Instructor: UMaine Extension 4-H Volunteer Cathy Lookabaugh | Cathy is the Membership and Outreach Director at the Downeast Coastal Conservancy.  

Registration:  Register here!

Questions?  Contact Brittany Foster, 4-H Youth Development Professional, brittany.foster@maine.edu, Phone: 207.255.3345

4-H Camp and Learning Center at Greenland Point Adds Warden Camp

UMaine Extension 4-H Camp and Learning Centers are excited to launch the Warden Camp at Greenland Point in partnership with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Over the course of the week, campers learn what it takes to be a warden in the state of Maine through mentorship from some of our local wardens. Check out a warden truck and learn what it’s like to be on a search and rescue team. This week will be full of fun surprises from the warden service and would be a great way for anyone to start on the path of becoming a Game Warden! Registration is now open for this camp and all camps offered at Greenland Point! Find our more and register here!

Washington County 4-H Public Speaking 2022

Volunteers Needed for Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament

New for 2022: Open Office Hours for Washington County 4-H Volunteers! 

Mainely Dish Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

State 4-H News

4-H For All: Spring 2022
The purpose of this virtual club is to provide new and potential members and their families a place to learn about 4-H; and to connect youth across the state. Youth will choose a project to complete and learn more about 4-H and how to become involved. We want you to join and engage in our 4-H program! There is no cost, and meetings will help challenge you to create new goals and discover new passions. Open to youth 5-13, dates will be March 24, April 28, May 26 at 10am and 6pm. Register at: umaine.edu/4h/4-h-for-all-club.

Union Fair – New Dates in 2022
The Union Fair will be happening earlier in the summer, starting this year. The dates for Union Fair 2022 will be July 27-31, about a month earlier than in years past. Please plan accordingly, and check org for updates. Knox-Lincoln Extension staff produce a 4-H Union Fair Information Booklet each year. Once the 2022 pdf document is ready for distribution, it will be shared with all Maine county Extension offices. The Booklet will also be available for download on the Knox-Lincoln 4-H website. Questions? Contact cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.

Special Events at the Versant Astronomy Center
The Versant Astronomy center is open at UMaine, welcoming groups as well as individuals. Their current programming and other information is on their web site https://astro.umaine.edu/.  Some great upcoming events are:

February 5 – Telescopes, Binoculars and Stargazing – this is a hands-on workshop!

February 11 – Science Lecture Series including Melissa Maginnis and Ben King

February Public Show – Skywatchers of Africa

Hudson Museum Virtual Lunar New Year Celebration
The University of Maine Hudson Museum in Orono has put together some great resources to help celebrate the Year of the Tiger. Watch a pre-recorded presentation about how Lunar New Year is celebrated. A downloadable instructional packet will have templates, directions and information on how you can create your own New Year’s decorations to celebrate.The Hudson Museum will offer a limited number of kits to create traditional decorations. These kits will include arts and crafts materials and instructions for their use in the classroom. This event is geared toward elementary and middle school students. To get information on this event or to reserve a kit, please email elliot.bowen@maine.edu, or visit the website.

4-H Pitch Project
The Youth Trustees have established a fund to support young entrepreneurs in 4-H. Pitch us your idea for a business and we may fund the start-up idea. Check out the Pitch project at https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/.

Maine’s Mysterious Marshlands: Using eDNA to Understand Climate Change
Are you interested in learning more about Maine’s changing climate? Salt marshes have the potential to lessen the impacts of increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere! Join University of Maine graduate student, Heather Richard, in exploring Maine’s salt marshes and learn more about how environmental DNA (eDNA) can help us to understand more about the role of this important habitat in our changing world. Hands-on games and demonstrations will give participants an in-depth perspective into the science of eDNA and salt marsh Youth ages 12 – 18 can Register now to participate in the approximately one hour workshop on February 23, 2022 at 1:30 pm. The workshop will take place over zoom; pre-registration is required by February 11, as materials will be shipped to participants’ homes.

Maine 4-H ESE Sheep Intent Forms are Now Available
The 2022 Maine 4-H Sheep Eastern States intent to participate form is available online at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/sheep/. In order to be eligible for participation on the Maine 4-H Sheep Eastern States Team this fall, 4-H members must complete the fillable PDF form or mail a hard copy of the intent form to the Oxford County Cooperative Extension office before April 1, 2022. Please contact Sara King at sara.king@maine.eduor  207.342.5971 with any questions.

Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Tryouts
The 2022 Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts will be held in person on February 26th at the Randall Student Center at the University of Maine Augusta. This event will serve as the official tryout for the Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl Team. Those who make the team may have the opportunity to travel in person or compete virtually at a regional competition.

Maine 4-H Dairy Quizbowl tryouts are open to all enrolled 4-H dairy members ages 9-18. Youth will be divided into two age categories, Jr. ages 9-11 and Sr. ages 12-18. If you plan on attending please notify Sadee Mehuren via email at sadee.mehuren@maine.edu so that we can prepare for the event. Per the University of Maine’s covid guidelines, masks will be required for all attendees. For more information visit https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/2022-maine-4-h-dairy-quizbowl/.

Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today
Do you know someone who is thinking about becoming a 4-H volunteer? Or someone YOU think would make a great 4-H volunteer?  We are looking for people to help youth find their spark and thrive! If so, please encourage them to sign up for Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey Today! These two one-hour virtual sessions on March 1st and 8th from 7:00-8:00pm will provide initial training and information about 4-H. There will be hands-on activities, opportunities to hear from youth, other volunteers, and more. No pressure to commit, no cost, and no reason to not attend! Invite someone you know to register by February 18th. For more information contact Jen Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu or 207-255-3345.

Public Speaking Workshops
Are you interested in learning more about giving a polished, interesting presentation? The Maine 4-H Communication Science Team members will be leading two workshops in February and March.  Workshops are designed to help 4-H members learn new Public Speaking skills and to prepare for the upcoming state Public Speaking Tournament in April.

Workshops are open to 4-Hers age 9 and up, and will take place on February 16 and March 16 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, via Zoom. Contact cathy.gray@maine.edu if you would like to attend this Free Online Workshop.

The Maine App Challenge
Love technology? Here is a chance to put your passion to a purpose and win a scholarship along the way! The Maine App Challenge is an incredible opportunity for Maine middle school and high school students who are 13 years of age and older to create a mobile application with a chance to win a scholarship and other valuable rewards. A series of innovation workshops from the University of Maine Foster Center for Innovation will help you get started! There are three scholarships available for the top mobile apps: $6,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place.

Other awards include: $500 to the high school with the highest participation, Tablets to the first 50 completed submissions, a guaranteed internship interview for the top 10 submissions following his/her college sophomore year.  Visit the Tyler Technology Maine App Challenge website for more information.

Maine 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The Maine 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce a number of scholarships available to 4-H members. They range in value from $1,000 to $2,500. Donors from around the state have been very generous in supporting our 4-H seniors as they pursue their dreams and aspirations. Scholarships are due March 1, 2022 to your county office. Please check out the Maine 4-H Foundation website at https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/.

Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub
Maine 4-H Virtual Learning is a hands-on, virtual learning program for youth ages 5-18. Workshops will be organized by age and topic. Topics include engineering, science, animals and agriculture, teen leadership, and more.

Workshops will range from single-time events to short-term programs (typically four to six sessions). Participants will engage in hands-on activities, interact with other 4-Hers, and be positive adult role models.

No prior experience with 4-H is required to participate. This is a great way for those who are interested to learn more about 4-H.

Check out the upcoming 4-H VirtualLearning Programs we have planned in the coming months: Visit the Upcoming Events: Statewide Virtual Offerings for 2021-2022 page.

Learn which virtual event registrations are open: Visit the Open Registrations page.

Interested in becoming a Volunteer Presenter? Visit the Become a Volunteer Presenter page for more information and to complete an interest form.

Read what 4-H Parents, Youth, and Teachers have to say about these 4-H VirtualLearning offerings: Visit the 4-H Parents, Youth, Teachers: Stories and Testimonials page.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
We have exciting news! We are now planning for an in-person CWF 2022! Many things are changing within the programming schedule and event place. As some of you know the National 4-H Center has been sold or is in the process.  Therefore, CWF will no longer be held there but will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland.  This event center is not far from where we previously have been, but we will forever miss our own 4-H Center. 

In 2020, CWF was canceled due to the pandemic, and the 2021 program was held virtually.  We as a state did not participate in the virtual 2021.  We still do, however, have a list of participants that have never been able to go on the trip.  This list is currently being contacted to see if they are still enrolled members wanting to participate. Once those numbers have been finalized, we will open up the list to “fill the bus” for 2022.  All delegates must be currently enrolled and between 14-18 years old as of January 1, 2022.

We have held records of who in the past has paid monies and are also working that through.  The total cost for this year’s trip will be available very shortly.   A note will be going out to your local office with all information and please note: we will be on a short timeframe to get delegate information in.  The date that has been reserved is June 25-July 1, 2022.  We will be leaving on a Saturday and coming home on the following Friday.  As always in today’s world all plans are Covid sensitive but as the true 4-Hers that we are, we adapt!  If you have questions, please feel free to email Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at:   heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.

2022 4-H National Trip Interviews
As in the past, we will be holding interviews for National trips in the early spring. Websites are currently being updated to work towards that same schedule with a date to be announced very soon. At this time, we will be interviewing for National Congress in 2022 and National Conference in 2023.  National Conference 2022 that will be held on March 20-24, 2022 is currently still being reviewed within our state guidelines due to the Covid travel situation that seems to be strengthening daily, information will be shared as it becomes available. If you have questions. Please feel free to email Heidi Palmer, State Activities Coordinator at: heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.

New Impromptu Category at State Public Speaking Tournament
The Maine 4-H Public Speaking Committee is pleased to announce a new category at the State Tournament in April 2022!

Impromptu is a fun and exciting category that gives participants the opportunity to practice off-the-cuff presentations. Youth will be given three topics to choose from and then have several minutes to prepare a short presentation for an audience. For this year, Impromptu will be a non-scored category. However, participants can expect to receive feedback from judges and peers. Youth who participate in the Maine 4-H Public Speaking Tournament will also be able to participate in the Impromptu category as a bonus opportunity.

4-H Volunteers Register Now!
February 16 * March 16 – 6:30 – 8:30 pm

This year’s Cabin Fever Series for 4-H Volunteers is combining efforts with other states in the Northeast region! The following three topics will be featured in virtual workshops this winter:

• re-engaging and motivating youth
• designing captivating and fun activities
• expanding possibilities for youth to broaden their world 

These workshops will offer a great chance to learn something new, brush up on your skills and connect with 4-H volunteers from across the Northeast! Register now!

4-H Club Resources
The Norma Hardison Fund has been created to support 4-H club special projects. 4-H Club Creativity Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine, including club and community learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts up to $200; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $200. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.

4-H Service, Innovative Education, and Philanthropy Grants
Grant application ideas should tie into the 4-H program priorities for Maine including club and community service learning projects, philanthropic projects that engage members in the community supporting 4-H program work, and/or new creative educational ideas. Funds can be requested for amounts from $100 to $500; on a rare occasion, the grant request may be considered for more than $500. Sponsor: Maine 4-H Foundation Youth Trustees in Philanthropy. Application Form.