Jr. Leaders Community Service

The Jr. Leaders 4-H Club mulched, trimmed, and weeded yards for senior citizens the past month. Those helping were Alyssa and Braxton Matthews, Makenzie Craft, Maggie Cripe, Madison Buecker, and Isaiah Oliver. They also made greeting cards to be sent to the military troops. 

4-H Livestock Appointments are Now Open!

4-H Livestock Appointments are now open for you to schedule!

http://4hlivestock13.genbook.com/ 

If you need directions on how to fill it out click on the following link for a step by step guide!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By9om8gcR8ClWGVpOGN2ZXA5eDg/edit?usp=sharing

Skills that Last a Lifetime

From the outside in 4-H can often appear to be a hobby, or something that just simply fills the time during the summer months. To someone not involved, it’s just a project, more work, and time spent on something that may have little to no relevance in the big picture of things.  The over 500 youth involved in 4-H here in Van Wert County would love to tell you differently!

Some of the skills that I have noticed over the years include public speaking, responsibility, teamwork, written communications, organization and time management, critical thinking, and interpersonal relationships. These are all highly transferable skills that can move into any career field or profession.

For many youth the first time they are expected to give a speech to their peers can be terrifying. A part of the 4-H club experience is demonstrations. Youth demonstrate what they have learned (or a specific part of what they have learned) to their peers in their club. They continually do this every year and as a result they become more confident and able to handle public speaking scenarios. Those older youth involved with Jr. Fair Board, Camp Counseling or Buckeye Ambassadors are given advanced training to learn the key art of public speaking effectively. Sometimes through trial and error they are able to learn what is most comfortable for them. Many times I have had first year college students return and admit to me that because of their experiences in 4-H they were able to be at the top of their public speaking class (a common core requirement for many freshman) and confident in their past experiences.

Another result of 4-H is the ability to take responsibility for actions and other living things. In our county one of the most popular project areas for us is livestock. The daily care of feeding, watering, and yes even cleaning up after an animal is a huge commitment that is taken seriously. That same responsibility is also taught through projects through ways of being aware of safety hazards or what might happen to others if you do not follow them. Through the food and nutrition projects we find that youth gain an understanding of possibly dangerous items in the kitchen and how to properly handle them. Our shooting sports projects also provide a safe and understanding environment for youth to learn about firearms and safety around them.

While not usually valued as fun to youth, each project requires documentation of completed activities and assurance of knowledge gained. For livestock it serves as a way to keep important records about vaccinations, illness, and feeding patterns. For other projects it provides you with a list of experience-based activities that will guide you through learning the topic at hand. We carefully look over those records during judging, and part of their final score on their project is what they have documented and their ability to articulate that success.

Through meetings of clubs and special groups (such as Jr. Fair Board or Ambassadors) members have a unique opportunity to work with people who are like-minded and sometimes disagree with one another. We treasure the diversity in groups and I enjoy a good session of critical thinking, teamwork and interpersonal relationships. I believe that youth learn best when able to work through a problem or experience together in a safe and friendly environment. Through building those relationships with others they are more prepared to build networking and tackle tough problems in the workplace as adults.

If you have ever been to a meeting that was not organized you understand the important of organization and time management. Youth in the 4-H program are expected to balance busy schedules, responsibilities, and find time to complete all the needed activities and tasks for their project. Also a great way to build time management is to try and schedule a meeting in the middle of the week during spring sports. I can assure you that many of the youth I work with are very good at knowing when they need to be at a set location.

Not all members involved in 4-H will go on to do a career based on the 4-H project they have taken. But it is safe to say that they will come away with knowledge of the many life skills they have been exposed to as a result of their experiences in 4-H.  The skills they learn can be passed on to others and help build for meaningful careers and relationships with others.  While you cannot replace the benefits of traditional education, you can grow to appreciate the value of 4-H in experiential education. 

published to the Times Bulletin on June 17th, 2013

The Story of Warm Fuzzies!

Since we are 9 days away from 4-H Camp, I thought I would share a story that might be of more relevance once your children return from 4-H Camp!

The Story of Warm Fuzzies

Once upon a time there was a lovely place called “Warm Fuzzy Land “In this land people felt free to give warm fuzziest to one another.

Warm Fuzzies were little balls of pure love that made everyone feel good all over. Back in the day, all you had to do was ask for a Warm Fuzzy.

People would reach into their pocket and grab a handful of Warm Fuzzies and give them to you. Everyone was generous and there was never a shortage of Warm Fuzzy feelings to go around.

Everyone felt safe and loved and made everyone else feel safe and loved.

But one day a wicked elf showed up in the Land of Warm Fuzzies. When people began to give him Warm Fuzzies he did not like it.

They were the opposite of what he kept in his pocket, the mean cold prickles.

He began telling people that there was a huge shortage of Warm Fuzzies and they needed to hoard them. Well, people stopped giving away their Warm Fuzzies and hid them away or locked them up.

They stopped carrying them around in their pocket too.

Soon, the entire land was angry and sad. People started to be mean to each other and say hateful things.

They began to bully, yell, and become angry with one another. They hid in their houses and did not come out. The Land of Warm Fuzzies was renamed the Land of Cold Prickly.

One day a sad little boy was bored and began looking around the attic for something to play with. He stumbled upon a box of Warm Fuzzies that had been hidden for many years.

When he opened up the box he felt feelings of love, kindness, and warmth. He took the box to school with him the next day.

He gave a Warm Fuzzy to all the children in the school. They in turn took the Warm Fuzzy home and gave it to their parents. The parents remembered the boxes of Warm Fuzzies they had put away in their attics.

They all brought the boxes downstairs and opened them. The love, warmth, and kindness was so immense that the Land of Cold Prickles became the Land of Warm Fuzzies once again.

Everyone lived happily ever after and never gave up their Warm Fuzzies again!

Story Modified / Source Unknown

So when your campers come home, don't be surprised if they have warm fuzzies! It is also helpful if you send them with some yarn that they could make their own warm fuzzies too!

Learn how to make a warm fuzzy!

4-H Project Judging Interviews Open!

4-H Project Judging Appointments are now open online! You can make your appointment at 

http://vw4h13.genbook.com/ 

For information about how to do the sign up (if you have questions)
Click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By9om8gcR8ClOFR0Zk1uS1JfczQ/edit?usp=sharing Information is being sent to homes with instructions how to sign up. Thanks!

4-H Camp Palmer Registrations due Friday!

Hey Kids- Tired of the same old summer boredom? Want to get out of the house and away from mom and dad for a few days? Change this summer with five fun filled days at 4-H Camp Palmer.  Scheduled for July 5-9^th, 4-H Camp Palmer, located in Fayette OH, is a one of a kind experience where you will be engaged in exciting outdoor activities and a place where you are sure to meet lots of new friends. Most of all, it’s tons of fun!

Worried that you will get bored while at 4-H Camp Palmer? Worry no more, because like always Camp Palmer will have its many different session to choose from like H2O volleyball, archery, hockey, crafts, fun foods and canoeing. Also, with an in ground pool, high ropes course, flying squirrel, and campfires you will definitely stay busy. To top it off there is even the chance to go outposting and rough it out in the woods for a night under the stars.

You do NOT have to be a 4-H member to attend. All youth, ages 9-15, are eligible to attend. The cost is $150 with an enrollment deadline of June 21^th. Once again this camp is open to all youth; you do not have to be a 4-H member to attend.

If you are interested in having five days of adventure and fun at 4-H Camp Palmer, stop in at the Ohio State University Extension Van Wert County office at 1055 S Washington Street located on the fairgrounds and pick up a registration form, you may also call at 419-238-1214. Or visit our website at: http://vanwert.osu.edu/ . If you want to find out more about Camp Palmer’s facility visit their website at: http://camppalmer.org/

Foods & Nutrition Projects Promote Healthy Living

Last week I started talking about one of the many categories of 4-H projects that we offer to youth ages 9-18 here in Van Wert county. This week I want to focus on another popular type of project, food and nutrition! The Food and Nutrition program helps develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of nutrition, menu planning, safe food handling, kitchen equipment safety, consumer knowledge, fitness, meal and time management, and related careers. Projects are available for both males and females with all levels of experience!

Some of the most popular projects include making your own snacks! Snack attack helps members make healthful food choices in combination with physical fitness. The snack recipes in the book are fun to make and get rave reviews from some of members! When it comes to fitness there are also a series of projects that include sports nutrition for the athlete. These books help members make good decisions about sports drinks, pre-fueling for practice and games and how to select the best level of fitness with the fitness pyramid. As breakfast is the most important meal of the day we have a whole book dedicated to learning how to make quick and easy breakfasts that are healthy and fuel you through the day. I once had a 4-H member tell me that from the book she learned why she felt groggy while in class. It turned out that once she began eating a healthy breakfast she found herself more focused and ready to learn in the classroom.

In 4-H we often have large events, and plan parties for our clubs and friends. The Party Planner book is a guide that unlocks the secrets of recipes, planning, budgeting, and preparing foods for large groups. We also have added 2 grilling projects for those who love outdoor cooking! The books explore grilling, pie irons, solar cookers, and rotisserie.

All of the projects focus on the USDA MyPlate and MyPyramid, while allowing members to learn about prepping foods, cooking safety, all with recipes to try and experiment. Many of the members I have spoken to in the past speak fondly of their memories with family and friends in the kitchen learning how to cook! For those that surround the members who are taking food projects, best wishes trying to pass on all the yummy food that comes from their projects!

to be published in the Times Bulletin on June 20th, 2013 

Clever Clovers Help Wee Care Day Care!

Clever Clovers served Wee Care Day Care through a summer cleaning project on Monday, June 17th.  Club members cleaned the floor mat and toys in the gym along with the sleeping cots in day care rooms.

Harrison Jolly Boosters take Dinners to Van Wert Manor

The Harrison Jolly Boosters kids took BBQ chicken dinners to the Van Wert Manor tonight. The residents love when the kids come and see them. It was a busy night delivering BBQ chicken dinners to all the people how bought them. The Harrison Jolly Boosters want to say a big thanks for helping the 4-H. We are looking for a very good year. 

STEM Projects help Youth with Career Exploration

4-H offers over 200 projects of all kinds to encourage youth to explore new ideas, concepts and trades. Many people think only of livestock as a project type, but there are thirty-three projects that fall under the category we call STEM. STEM is our short way of describing projects in science, technology, engineering, and math.  These projects explore aerospace science, ATV, bicycling, electricity, electronics, radio-controlled vehicles, small engines, tractor safety, welding, and woodworking.

Aerospace science is a collection of projects that include 2-liter bottle rocketry, solid fuel rockets, and model airplanes. These help members understand the forces of flights, experiments within flight science, and how to build and launch your own rockets from a kit or from scratch.

All-terrain vehicle safety books are also hands on project. They help prepare youth for use of ATV equipment through lessons that provide youth with proper handling, safety precautions, and protective equipment. They also have the opportunity to participate at the State Fair in a riding course!

For those youth who love bicycling, there are a series of bicycling books for any level of rider. Projects include parts, safety inspections, proper safety riding techniques, buying, maintenance, repair and rules of the road.

For an electric approach, there are a number of books that offer information and experiments regarding electricity and experiments youth can do at home! The books teach youth how to build a flashlight, compass, electromagnets, testing voltages, circuit design, switches and electrical loads!

Youth with an interest in radio controlled vehicles learn how to research, purchase, assemble, and modify a radio controlled vehicle. They can also explore robotics through a lego kit and how to configure and program their robot.

There are also  a number of small engines projects that are focused on learning about engine parts, tools, concepts of small engines, internal parts, compression ratios and how to rebuild an engine. Projects move from small engines to tractor and machinery operation taking youth from little to no prior experiences with tractors, through safety, maintenance, mechanics, accessory equipment, fuel safety, and operational systems. The curriculum can also be used to help prepare for the National Safe Tractor and Machinery program.

For those youth with an interest in smaller tractors and mowers there is the lawn care project. This project helps youth discover the proper way to take care of their lawn through seeding, weeding, fertilizing, and mowing. The project also outlines the pros and cons of starting a mowing business.

For those youth looking for a little spark to their project they can also take the welding project for building, modifying and repairing steel-based projects. This project includes selection, fabrication techniques and information about shielded metal arc welding.

Finally, the last project area is woodworking. The projects cover 4 levels and include safety, use of tool, building, finishing, measuring, joints, staining, planers, and dovetailing. 

The many projects offered in the STEM category offer youth an opportunity to explore different trades or techniques that they might otherwise get to explore through their education. We hope that through each of their projects they learn, grow and build their careers through fun and exciting projects that engage them in learning. 

Jr. Fair King & Queen Applications Available!

2012 Jr. Fair King & Queen

The Coronation Committee is please to announce the search for candidates for a King and Queen of the Van Wert County Fair. These people would be chosen to be ambassadors not only to the Junior Fair but also to the entire Van Wert County Fair.

Candidates must be 16 years of age and must have an open schedule throughout the fair to perform special duties such as handing out awards and trophies, giving radio interviews, and making special appearances. Any Van Wert County Youth meeting these qualifications may apply.

Applications are due in to the Van Wert County OSU Extension Office by July 19, 2013.These applications may be picked up from your club advisor, at the OSU Extension Office.

The coronation will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. Preliminary Judging will be held on Tuesdayy, August 13, 2013 and a schedule will be provided to potential candidates at a later date. Interviews will start at 6:00pm.

Any questions may be directed to the OSU Extension Office at 419-238-1214.

King & Queen Applications can be downloaded here. 

Nothing Says Summer Like a Chicken Barbecue!

For many years the 4-H Council has supported 4-H efforts through fundraising. The biggest of these efforts is the annual chicken barbecue! Fresh chicken, baked beans, applesauce all kick off summer in the best of ways for me as the 4-H program coordinator and for many other people in the community! Each year I get the opportunity to work side-by-side with 4-H members, volunteers, and supporters to help the 4-H council raise money to support the many 4-H clubs in our community. Whether it is selling tickets in the line, delivering meals to people in their cars, or serving up food in the dining area in the Jr. Fair Building it gives me a refreshing perspective of the gracious support that we have from our community. This year’s barbecue is coming up on Tuesday, June 11^th starting at 3:30pm and lasting until 7:00pm at the Jr. Fair Building on the Fairgrounds.

As we kick off the summer I challenge you to read about our clubs, special youth, and events weekly. We want to show the community what great things we are doing. Most of all, I hope to bring you entertainment and enlightenment to the world of 4-H as it continually progresses from just cows and sows, to maximizing youth potential in our neighborhoods. Throughout the summer I plan to write more about the over 200 projects available to 4-H members, opportunities for teens through leadership, and the many groups such as 4-H council and our 4-H endowment that help to provide us with the ability to help and grow our community.  We aim to help youth grow from their opportunities, and mold into young adults that are successful and contribute to the success of Van Wert County’s future.

As we begin another busy summer of club gatherings, fundraising, clinics, camp, judging and shows I would like to say thank you in advance, for all you do in our community to support our programming for the over 500 youth in the county of Van Wert. Here is to the summer of 2013, we hope it is as great as 2012!

-Heather

published in the Times Bulletin June 6th, 2013