4-H News in Washington County – July 2023
Dates to Remember
July 5-August 10: 4-H Summer Learning Series
July 21: 4-H Science Friday- Kite Making
July 21-22: Maine 4-H Days, Windsor Fairgrounds
July 21-22: Maine State Dairy Show, Windsor Fairgrounds
July 21: Photo Submission Deadline for Washington County 4-H Photo Contest
July 26, August 4 & 12: Environmental Science 4-H SPIN Club-Harrington
July 31: Registration Deadline for 4-H Teen Leadership Program: YOUth Have a Voice
August 18: 4-H Science Friday- DNA, Strawberries and You
August 26&27: Washington County Fair, Pembroke
The first 4-H Science Fridays, Plants Around Us, was a great success! With the help of University of Maine at Machias faculty and a current student, youth were able to explore the botany greenhouse, press flowers and see what projects UMM botany students have developed. Join us for more 4-H Science Friday fun on July 21st and August 18th! Click here from more information and to register: https://extension.umaine.edu/washington/4-h-science-fridays-at-umaine-machias/.
UMaine Extension 4-H and Maine Coast Heritage Trust offer a short-term environmental science club in Harrington
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H and Maine Coast Heritage Trust will offer a short-term, in-person 4-H club about environmental sciences. Intended for youth ages eight to thirteen, the special interest, or SPIN, club will meet on July 26, August 2 and 12 at the Gallison Memorial Library and Earl Bigelow Memorial Park in Harrington. This SPIN club will focus on learning about natural ecosystems. Youth will do hands-on activities like plant pressing, identifying different species of plants and insects, and building their own worm farms.
The club is free. Register and find more information on the program webpage [https://extension.umaine.edu/washington/4-h-environmental-science-spin-club-harrington/]. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.255.3345; gabrielle.brodek@maine.edu.
Cobscook Currents 4-H Club Happenings in June
The Cobscook Currents 4-H Club had a busy June! Here are some sights from their club meetings.
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- 4-H’er takes photos for the Washington County 4-H Photo Contest while hiking.
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- Youth explores printers at the Cobscook Institute Learning Center Lab.
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- Linda leads a group activity on how to build a self watering planter.
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- Cobscook Currents show the planters they created.
The Washington County Fair is next month! We will once again be hosting the ‘Come Grow with 4-H’ Garden Exhibit. Guidelines can be found on the website. Seeds are now available at the Extension office for 4-H’ers who wish to participate. Ribbons and premiums will be awarded.
New this year… Washington County Scavenger Hunt! 4-H Professional, Gabby Brodek, has created a list of items and clues that youth can complete to win a prize. Youth will begin by picking up the list at the 4-H tent on Saturday, August 26th. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the fair!
Washington County 4-H Photography Contest
Pull out those cameras and start snapping away! Now is the time to show off your photography talents. The Washington County 4-H Photography Contest is open to all Washington County, Maine 4-H members. Ribbons and premiums will be awarded! To learn more, visit the website.
Deadline to submit photos to the Extension Office: Friday, July 21, 2023
News from the State
Maine 4-H Days is Back!
Maine 4-H Days is back in 2023! You are invited to join Maine 4-H for a fun filled day of workshops on Saturday July 22nd! We will kick off the weekend with evening activities on Friday July 21st and have camping available for those who wish to stay overnight! Workshop space is limited, so register soon to secure your spot. For a complete schedule or to register for the event please visit umaine.edu/4h/maine-4h-days/.
To request a reasonable accommodation please contact the Kennebec County Cooperative Extension office at 207.622.7546 or email alisha.r.targonski@maine.edu.
Registration is Open Through July 31st for New 4-H Teen Leadership Program: YOUth Have a Voice!
YOUth have a Voice!: Youth in Governance and Civic Engagement is a nine-month program open to teens and recent high school graduates who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Youth will learn leadership skills and ways to participate in civic action by completing a service project in a topic of their interest. Youth projects will be in one of three categories:
1.) Youth Board Member: Join a board or advisory council as a youth representative
2.) Policy Leader: Provide input to a policy or rule being developed
3.) Public Service Leader: Carry out a community service project.
Teens will be mentored by adults to assist their learning of civic processes and ways to meet their project goals. The program will be from late August 2023 to May 2024 and the total time commitment may vary from 30 to 80 hours depending on the type of project.
The program will be open for teens ages 14+ years old or entering high school in the fall of 2023. Interested teens will need the following items to register for the program:
- Fill out the application form.
- Two letters of recommendation from adults who are not related to the applicant
- Briefly describing (100 to 500 words) why you are interested in this program
- A signed Program Requirement Summary Form
Registration is open through July 31, 2023. The program will be limited to 16 youth.
To register or learn more, visit our website. Individuals with questions or who need to request an accommodation, please contact Andrew Hudacs, andrew.hudacs@maine.edu, (207) 581-8204