4-H News in Washington County – May 2022
Dates to Remember
April 26-May 8: Paper Clover Campaign, Tractor Supply Co., Calais
May 15: Deadline for Maine App Challenge
May 26: A Year in Nature SPIN Club Virtual Meeting
May 26: 4-H for All SPIN Club
June 1: 2021 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent form Due
June 11: A Year in Nature SPIN Club In-person Meeting
June 11 & 12: Oxford County June Jamboree
June 17&18: Hancock County June Jamboree at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds
June 22-July 27: Adulting 101: Virtual Club
June 25-July 1: Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
July 5-August 5: 4-H Summer Learning Series
July 27-31: Union Fair
A Year in Nature SPIN Club: Signs of Spring
Our in person meeting met at a local nature preserve to look for a unique and temporary spring habitat: vernal pools. We walked a story book trail, sponsored by the Downeast Coastal Conservancy (DCC), about the seasonality of vernal pools and the organisms that utilize them. We found a large emergent marsh type vernal pool (vegetation growing in the pool) with salamander egg masses and other aquatic invertebrates.
If you are interested in joining us for A Year in Nature SPIN Club, please register here.
Our next meeting is virtual on May 26th & in person June 11th. We hope to see you there!
State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament Results
Congratulations to Soren D. and Linda J. of Cobscook Currents, who both received blue ribbons at the State 4-H Public Speaking Tournament held in April at the University of Maine in Orono. Well done!
June Jamboree at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds
Mark your calendars for June 17 & 18 for the annual June Jamboree! This event will be held at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds and open to Washington County 4-H members. More information and registration details will be available in early June.
4-H News from the State
4-H Summer Learning Series
After an incredibly successful 4-H Summer Learning Series over the past two years, Maine 4-H will once again offer virtual experiential learning workshops and clubs to youth ages 5-18 from July 5 – August 5, 2022. Planning is still taking place, but topics in previous years have ranged from engineering, art, science, animals & agriculture, food & nutrition, teen leadership, and more.Early registration will be available to enrolled 4-H’ers on Friday, June 3, 2022 and will open to the public the following Monday, June 6. 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
Fryeburg Market LambIntent Forms- Deadline Change
Youth planning to participate in the market lamb program at Fryeburg Fair need to submit a 2022 Fryeburg Fair Market Lamb Intent to Sell form by June 10th. An online form, as well as a pdf form, can be found at https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/sheep/. The lamb’s tag number and bill of sale must accompany the intent form. Market lambs must be owned and in the possession of the 4-H member by June 1, 2022. Please contact your local Cooperative Extension office with any questions or to obtain a printed copy of the form.
Adulting 101: 4-H Virtual Club
Are you a teen worried about impending adulthood? Do you want to know how to find answers to your questions about money, jobs, and roommates? Consider joining the Adulting 101 SPIN Club! Over the course of six meetings, we will learn some basic adult skills, including how to manage stress, interview for a job, and take advantage of existing resources in your community. Each week will cover a different topic: life/work balance and stress management; saving, spending, and credit; nutrition on a budget; resumes and interviews; rent and roommates; and a topic chosen by the participants! Access to a computer is required for participants, a smartphone won’t be sufficient.Youth ages 13 – 18 need to register by June 6, 2022 for this club which will meet via Zoom on Wednesdays June 22 – July 27 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
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, the last meeting will be held May 26 at 10am. Register at: umaine.edu/4h/4-h-for-all-club.
Maine 4-H Foundation Summer Camp Scholarships
The Maine 4-H Foundation has a limited number of scholarships for 4-H members for Blueberry Cove, Bryant Pond, Greenland Point, and Tanglewood. These scholarships are applied by the camp when you register and pay the deposit for camp. Scholarships are available from $50 to $200 depending on the camp expenses and needs.
Summer Camp Opportunities
Visit the Summer University Youth Programs’ Youth Summer Camps page to learn about a huge variety of camp experiences available to youth. From our traditional 4-H Camp and Learning Centers, to camps that focus on Academics, Art, Music, or Sports – there is something for everyone.
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; the deadline for submissions is May 15th.
Maine 4-H Virtual Learning Hub
Maine 4-H VirtualLearning 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.
Oxford County June Jamboree
This year’s Oxford County June Jamboree will be held June 11th & 12th at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds. This is an opportunity for youth enrolled in sheep, swine and horse projects to join us for our livestock clinic! We will have presenters teach about showmanship and animal care. We will be doing t-shirts, rabies vaccinations for sheep and horse, and Coggins vaccines for horses as well! Overnight accommodations and meals will not be provided (besides Saturday night pizza if you request it). Registration cost will vary depending on number of attendees. Please see the registration page for further details. Register by May 9th.
EFNEP Recipe of the Month: Turkey Pasta Salad!
Now that we have successfully navigated through this winter, we’re looking ahead and can see summer on the horizon! Memorial Day is the official kick-off to grilling, picnics, and fun in the sun, and this summer-inspired Turkey Pasta Salad is sure to be a hit at any cookout. Remember to keep your food safe to eat with these Barbecue and Tailgating Food Safety Tips as well. For more delicious recipes, check out our UMaine EFNEP Mainely Dish Video Series. By Debbie Barnett (EFNEP CEA in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties –deborah.barnett@maine.edu)
Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) offers FREE nutrition education classes to income-eligible adults with children, or young adults 19-25 years old, and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start. Find out more online.