Endless Opportunities in 4-H

March 2003

Dear 4-H Family

While we are still faced with a few more weeks of snow and cold temperatures, take a moment to think of summer and 4-H Camp Shehaqua. All 4-H members, 8 – 13, are invited to attend the resident camp June17 - 20, at Camp Shehaqua, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven, PA. Camping provides everyone with a chance to learn about nature, meet new friends, gain responsibility, and learn to live and work with other people.

This year Lebanon campers will share Camp Shehaqua with 4-H’ers from Lancaster County. The camp is supervised by 4-H agents, adult leaders, and 4-H teen counselors.

The cost of camp is $80.00, which includes all meals, lodging, and program expenses. Our program includes workshops in nature, recreation and crafts. Activities include campfires, hikes, skits, games and much more. We have an exciting low ropes challenge course which is very popular.

Transportation will be by bus and campers will leave on Tuesday, June 17, at 9:00 a.m. from the Ag Center and return at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20. Complete details will be sent to those who register. Please register by May 23rd. To register, fill out the form included in this newsletter. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited.

Camperships are available so that any 4-H’er can attend camp regardless of income. Adult male and female chaperones are needed! If you are interested in spending an all-expense-paid week in the Poconos please call Martha at 270-4391.

Martha R. Gregory
Extension Agent – 4-H/Youth Development

Endless Opportunities

COOKIE DELIVERY

A tractor-trailer load of 4-H cookies will arrive in Lebanon County on Wednesday, April 30th. 4-H members, leaders, and parents are needed to help unload and sort club cookie orders. If you can help please call the Extension Office at 270-4391.

NOTE: Members should check with their CLUB COOKIE CHAIRMAN to find out when and where to pick up their individual cookie order.

4-H SWIMMING PARTY

All 4-H’ers and their families are invited to a Swimming Party as thanks for participating in the county-wide cookie sale.

Date: SATURDAY, APRIL 26
Place: Lebanon YMCA
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Cost: All 4-H members who sold cookies are admitted FREE! (4-H’ers, parents, and siblings may attend at $1.00/person.)

PLAN TO ATTEND THE CAPITAL REGION PRE-TEEN RETREAT

When: April 4-6
Where: Refreshing Mountain Camp (Northern Lancaster County)
Who: 4-H’ers ages 10-12
Cost: $35.00 (transportation on your own)

Registration due by Friday, March 14. See the enclosed registration brochure for more details.

Chaperones needed: If you are interested in attending this event as an adult volunteer, please contact Martha.

TEEN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

We are looking for teens interested in strengthening communication and leadership skills this summer.

When: JULY 8 - 11
Where: Lebanon Valley College
Who: 4-H members 13 – 16 years old (as of Jan. 1). Must be enthusiastic about learning-by-doing and becoming a better leader.
Cost: $70.00

This four-day event is loaded with action, including workshops, dinner theater, recreation, community service, and more! This is the premier teen event in our region and you don’t want to miss it. Registration Due: June 2.

If you are 16 or older and would like to be a Leadership Council Member for the Teen Leadership Conference, contact Martha for an application. Applications are due Tuesday, April 1.

NATIONAL 4-H CONGRESS

When: November 28 – December 2
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
Who: (2) 4-H’ers (ages 15–18 as of Jan. 1)

4-H’ers from across the nation are recognized at National 4-H Congress. Lebanon County is eligible to send two 4-H’ers.

The selection process will include:
• Award Form due by July 1st
• Interview

Program Highlights: There will be banquets, tours, social events and community service activities.

Eligibility: To apply, Lebanon 4-H members must be 15 years old by January 1. They must also have been a 4-H member for at least two years. Members who wish to apply must submit a 4-H Recognition Application by July 1. Call Martha for an application form.

4-H FAIR VOLUNTEERS

The Lebanon Area Fair is coordinating a tent full of "Farmer For A Day" activities during the Fair.

4-H clubs are asked to help staff the tent during fair week. If your club would be willing to volunteer for a day contact Martha.

Lebanon Area Fair Dates are July 26 – August 2.

Make plans to participate in these 4-H activities as part of the fair:
• 4-H Public Speaking & Presentation Contest
• 4-H Club Display Contest

FASHION REVUE

"It’s Raining Fashion" is the theme for Fashion Revue. A special information packet will be sent to clothing and textile members.

All 4-H members creating wearable garments will have the opportunity to participate in the regional Fashion Revue.

County Preparation for Fashion Revue: Thursday, June 26

Regional Fashion Revue: Monday, July 7at the Eagle Valley Middle School in Cumberland County

4-H WILDLIFE FIELD DAY 2003—Marvelous Mammals

A day of fun and learning will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Rock Springs in Centre County. This event is open to all 4-H’ers (ages 8 to 18) interested in or currently taking wildlife projects. 4-H volunteers and parents are also encouraged to attend. There will be two program options concurrently at the event.

The first option is "Exploration Option" for children 8 to 11. This will include hands-on wildlife educational activities and a guest speaker. This year’s theme is Marvelous Mammals.

The second is a "Challenge Option" for youth 12 to 18 with an opportunity to participate in the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation contest. This fun competitive event provides a great opportunity to apply knowledge about wildlife to real life. This option will also include speakers and a habitat tour. There is a project book that 4-H’ers should study before coming to this event. It is available on request through the county 4-H office. Four 4-H’ers between the ages of 14 and 19 will be selected from this option to attend the national Wildlife Evaluation event.

Penn State Cooperative Extension—PLANNING FOR YOU

Now you can help Penn State Cooperative Extension develop and support programs and resources you’d like to see-and which help you the most.

Periodically, Penn State Cooperative Extension seeks public input to help determine major educational programs to be conducted by educators in each county throughout the Commonwealth. This process helps us focus on timely issues in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H and youth development, and economic and community development. Please help us by taking five minutes of your time to share your opinions with us.

Simply visit our On-Line Survey page at www.extension.psu.edu/survey and complete the survey(s) of your choice. All responses are kept strictly confidential.

Provide input for the following program areas. You can respond to one or as many as you like.

*Youth, Family, and Community
* Nutrition and Health
* Plant Production
* Animal Production
* Food Processing
* Forestry and Wildlife

MAKE YOUR PLANS PART OF OUR PLAN!

NE REGIONAL 4-H LEADER FORUM

October 14-17, 2004
Lancaster Host Inn
Lancaster, PA

We are very fortunate to be hosting, in our backyard, the Northeast State Regional 4-H Leader Forum in 2004. This is an exciting event to meet 4-H leaders from the eastern seaboard and gain new program ideas and enthusiasm for 4-H. The event includes lots of workshops, idea sharing sessions, social activities, tours and more. The 4-H Development Fund will provide scholarship dollars for volunteers. You will see more details in the future, but mark your calendars now.

SMALL ANIMAL ESSAY CONTEST

Are you taking a small animal project? If so, why not write a story about your pet? You must be enrolled in a dog, cat, rabbit, pet care or poultry project. Essays are limited to 500 words.

The subject is, "What I Have Learned in My 4-H Small Animal Project."

The essay will be judged on the following:

v Animal care, knowledge learned, and skills practiced. (25 pts.)
v Relation & application of skills to 4-H’ers life. (25 pts.)
v Responsibilities assumed in the care of the animal. (25 pts.)
v Community service, leadership and citizenship assumed through the project. (15 pts.)
v Creativity, grammar, neatness. (10 pts.)

There are three age divisions: ages 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 to 18, as of January 1. Entries may be handwritten or typed. Write your name, age, county, and complete address on the essay and turn it in to the Extension Office by June 1.

STATE POSTER CONTEST

Express your talent in poster art by entering your work in a state contest. Your poster may portray any theme, but must promote 4-H.

Listed below are the contest rules:

2 Must be a 4-H member.
2 There is no age requirement.
2 Entries must be 22" x 14".
2 No copyrighted material. Do not trace existing artwork.
2 No 3-dimensional posters will be permitted.
2 Your name, age, county, and address and a short identifying caption must be printed on the back of the entry.

Entries are due to the Extension Office by June 1.

STATE PHOTOGRAPY CONTEST

Why not take some time and photograph your project animals, friends, family, or pets and enter your pictures in the State Photography Contest?

The following are the contest rules:

€Do NOT have to be enrolled in the photography project.
€ Limited to one entry.
€ Entries may be black-and-white or color.
€ Must not exceed 8" x 10".
€ Photos may portray any theme. Do not submit copyrighted entries.
€ Your name, age, county, address, and a short caption must also be attached to the photo.

Entries are due by June 1.

4-H STATE DAYS CONTEST

Plan now to join other PA 4-H’ers at 4-H State Days! 4-H’ers have the opportunity to compete in contests in many project areas.

When: Wednesday, July 30
Where: Penn State University
Who: 4-H’ers ages 13-18 (as of Jan. 1)

Why not join a team? If you are interested in any of the following, please call the Extension Office.

Air Rifle • Canine Bowl • Clothing Judging • Dairy Bowl • Dairy Judging Fashion Revue • Food & Nutrition • Presentation Horse Bowl • Hippology • Horse Judging • Horticulture Livestock Judging • Meat Judging • Orienteering • Physical Fitness Public Speaking • Rabbit Contest • Riflery • Tractor Driving

For more information regarding any State 4-H Achievement Days Contest call the Extension Office at 270-4391. Teams must be selected and registered by Tuesday, July 1.

Club Corner

The Bellegrove Clovers 4-H Club met at the Fire Hall for their February meeting. President Dustin Blauch opened the meeting by leading the pledges.

The group filled 30 tote bags for the Agape House. About 25 pounds of cat food was collected and given to the Friends of Animals. Used cards were sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Nevada.

Enrollment forms were passed. Members were reminded about the 4-H cookie sale.

Submitted by
Bellegrove Clovers 4-H

The Latigo Club held a meeting on January 10. New officers were elected. President: Andi Jones, Vice President: Andrea Agliotta, Secretary: Erin Peavy, Treasurer: Chelsea Beard, News Reporter: Erin Peavy, Photographer: Emma Reazer and Laura Kutz, and Scrapbook: Samantha Bowen. Congratulations to all the 2003 elected officers. We also had two presentations presented to the club. Andi Jones and Andrea Agliotta did their presentation on jousting and Samantha Bowen and Erin Peavy did their presentation on barrel horses.

The Hoof and Horns 4-H club held a meeting on January 20th at the Lebanon Ag building. Erin Shaffer, our new president, called the meeting to order. We got our new performance books. Then we talked about our club’s fundraisers and club jackets. Nicole Cassel did a demonstration on how to use lead shanks with chains. We also talked about our upcoming shows and other events.

On January 18th, some of the members went to a clinic at Brook Sweigert’s farm in Denver, PA. Brook is a trainer-instructor at Sweigert Stables. She talked to us about different riding styles, long lining, cart driving, and other areas. After that she gave us a tour of her barn and horses. We got to meet Alexandra Layos, a junior rider and one of Brook’s students. She is a new author, who just got her book published, "Blue Ribbon Days #1: The Missing Link." We had an opportunity to buy some of her books and she signed them for us. It was neat. We finished up our meeting by helping younger members with their project books.

Nicole Cassel, News Reporter

On the cold night of February 5th the Lebanon County Rabbit and Cavy Club met in the East Hall of the Lebanon Valley Expo Center.

The meeting was led by president, Chris Werner. There was a good turnout: 12 members, 3 leaders, and 8 parents. The club received 2 new members. Old business discussed was the Pennsylvania Farm Show and the Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Convention. New business discussed was the club’s spring rabbit show (4/5/03), which will be held at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center. The club will be collecting items for their fundraising silent auction; anyone interested in donating an item should contact the Jones or the Kiscadden’s. Ideas for an Easter Bunny kit were discussed. The kit will contain information on the proper care of rabbits, and the club will distribute them near the Easter holiday. Purchasing new club shirts, as well as the 4-H cookie sale was discussed. The club elected new committees: shirt committee-Amber Lutz, chairman and Kendra Earl, assistant; cookie committee-Chris Werner, chairman, Alex Werner, assistant; Easter bunny kit committee-Amber Lutz, chairman, Kendra Earl, assistant. The evening was concluded with refreshments provided by Kendra Earl and Amber Lutz. The next meeting will be held in the East Hall of the Lebanon Valley Expo Center on March 5th.

Amber Lutz, News Reporter

Important 4-H Dates