Hello 4-H Families
September: Thriving Youth through Positive Youth Development (PYD)
Youth programs that are intentionally planned and implemented with a rich developmental context enable youth to thrive (Arnold & Gagnon, 2019). From January – April we touched on the developmental context, the “Soil”, of all 4-H programming: Spark, Relationships, Belonging, and Engagement. If we incorporate them, youth will thrive. 4-H focuses on seven indicators of thriving youth. From May through November, we’ll discover each indicator. After an overview of each, we would love for youth and volunteers to share how they utilized/ participated in an action to help youth prosper.
Indicator 5: Transcendent Awareness- understanding that you are part of something bigger then yourself; this is gained through interactions with other people, places, and things. Seeing connections and gaining insight as to ones place within the larger community builds beliefs, morals, and values that guide actions.
Strategies/ Activities:
· Service Learning (S-L) - true S-L includes an in-depth look at the service; gaining an understanding of the situation(s) – the cause and effect relations. It helps gain perspectives, awareness, and builds social responsibility. Adults can mentor youth through a S-L project yet allow them to take the lead, ask questions, seek answers, and try possible solutions.
· Review Club Bylaws – have youth read through the bylaws to determine if they are in tune with the current club members. Ensure the discussion occurs in a safe environment – meaning one in which everyone feels comfortable asking questions and giving feedback. Some additional scaffolding may be required when a difficult topic/ area of discussion arises.
· Reflective time – “Do, Reflect, Apply “is 4-H’s experiential learning model. The Reflect step includes sharing and processing; asking youth to think about what occurred, response taken, experienced learned, and more. This type of cognitive thinking helps youth identify what they like, believe in, and associate with building values, beliefs, and sparks.
· Deeper Dives - Ask open-ended questions to promote conversation and help youth learn about themselves and others.
We can all learn from and find connections with others including people, animals, and environments; look at the commonalities and mutually beneficial relationships throughout all of our communities. Take time to see the awe and wonder, and challenge others to discover new things.
As always let us know how you’re incorporating strategies into programs to assist our 4-H’er positive development. We enjoy sharing stories in this newsletter.
Regards,
Gretchen
Important Anne Arundel County Fair Updates *** Please Read ***
Anne Arundel County Fair is September 14 - 18, 2022
Looking forward to all of the indoor exhibits & livestock projects.
- NEW Indoor Entry time/dates - indoor entries will be accepted Sat 9/10 and Sun 9/11 (not on Monday), see the 4-H Fair Catalog for details. The 2022 AAC 4-H Fair Catalog is on our website.
- Youth/families with Livestock projects should review the book for general policies and rules, as well as for specific details for each species. Livestock entry fees are required, they will be deducted from premium checks.
- Fair Admission Pass - Your 4-H membership card is used as your entry pass. Cards were given to club leaders.
- Free 4-H Fair T-shirt - Don't forget to pick up your FREE 4-H County Fair T-Shirt. Gina will have the shirts.
- Ice Cream Social, Silent Basket Auction and Cake Auction information is listed in the AAC 4-H Foundation section below ⬇⬇⬇
Presented under the tent Sunday @ 3pm. Demonstrations, Judging/Skillathon Contests, as well as various other fair event placings will be pinned and presented. We will also announce the awardees of several scholarship and fair honors.
Youth are encouraged to participate in our various contests, you will learn something new and possibly earn ribbons and placement premiums! Come give them a try and meet us under the tent to see how you did!!!
Wednesday, 9/14, 7pm on the Upper Stage cheer our contestants for the AACF Royal Ambassador & Junior Ambassador Court Contests. Being an Ambassador provides experiences to work on leadership, networking, communication skills, and so much more while promoting all of the aspects of the Fairr. Member of the court will get to assist in different areas during the fair week as well as work with the Royal Ambassadors.
Ice Cream Social at the Fair
🍦 I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! 4-H Members, volunteers and their families are invited to join us under the dinner tent by the barns for FREE Ice Cream (with all the toppings) Friday, September 16th! Please show your 4-H membership card for admittance to this 10th Annual event hosted by our amazing AAC 4-H Foundation! 😋
Themed Basket Silent Auction at the Fair
The AAC 4-H Foundation team is asking for your support. A silent auction will take place at the County Fair to raise funds to support the impact of 4-H through the creation of various scholarships, awards, activities and events. All 4-H clubs are asked to donate a themed basket for the auction. Please encourage fair attendees to stop by the 4-H section in the indoor exhibit building and consider bidding on one of the many creatively themed baskets. We look forward to seeing you at the Fair! Ideas-->
Cake Auction at the Fair
AAC 4-H Foundation, Inc. invites YOU to participate in this Annual Event! 4-H CAKE AUCTION Sunday, September 18, 2022 at the Anne Arundel County Fair. Entries accepted from 4-H Members, Parents and Volunteers ~ Please consider baking a cake for the Cake Auction or come and bid on one! All proceeds benefit the 4-H Program in Anne Arundel County. Cakes can be dropped off Saturday, 17th from 12 - 8pm at the information booth or Sunday, 18th 9 - 10:30am in the 4-H department. Judging begins at 10:30am on Sunday. Live Auction at 12:45pm on the point stage. More information is available in the AAC 4-H Fair Catalog.
Saturday, September 17th, 7pm, in the Livestock Show Ring by the animal barns is the 4-H Livestock Auction. Come watch our county 4-Her's proudly display their incredible projects! Market steer, hogs, lambs, goats and turkeys will be for sale at the auction. If you haven't witnessed this event, come watch these amazing 4-Hers navigate this fast-paced sales event! For more information about the sale or purchasing our 4-H meats, please email aa4hlivestockauction@gmail.com.
4-H Promotion Opportunities at the Fair >>> New This Year <<<
Looking to promote 4-H or your 4-H Club? Perhaps you have a club or Diamond Clover project you are looking to fund? Maybe you need 'communication/promotion' hours to fill in your Record Book or Diamond Clover projects?
4-H Youth have the opportunity to use to space/tables available in both the Sheep Barn and in the 4-H Indoor Exhibit area Wed 9/14 - Sun 9/18. General 4-H promo materials can be supplied, however youth are invited to bring their own Club or 4-H project materials to put on display to share with fair attendees/other youth (posters, trifold displays, etc). A sign-up list will be available at the fair beginning this Saturday.
AAC County Fair First Time Exhibitor Award - Exciting Opportunity for First Time 4-H Indoor Exhibitors
The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation would like to announce a special $50 award for New 4-H Exhibitors to the 2022 Anne Arundel County Fair. Eligible exhibitors will receive one contest entry ticket per item entered when entries are dropped off.* The winner will be announced at the AAC 4-H Judging and Contest Awards Ceremony under the white tent on Sunday at 3pm. Contestants do not have to be present to win.
*Entry days are Saturday, Sept 10, 11a - 4p AND Sunday, Sept 11, 10a - 4p.
Fairground Clean-up/ Spruce up: Volunteers Needed
Sat., Sept. 10th is a Fair Clean-up Day from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The AAC Fair is so excited to be hosting the 70th Anniversary of our fair this year. As you know the fair is run by all volunteers. They need our help to make the fair the best it can be for this special anniversary. They have identified a list of things that need to be done prior to fair. Save a trip to the fairgrounds and bring your 4-H non-food entries with you!
Extension Open House and Harvest Party
Our University of Maryland Extension Family Fall Harvest Festival will be Oct 14, 2022, from 1-5pm at our UME-AAC office (97 Dairy Lane). We will be giving away Free Pumpkins, Indian Corn and Popping Corn from our on site Urban Farming Research Clinic. Other activities onsite include contributions from our 4-H area, Master Gardeners, SNAP-Ed, and Family/Consumer Science areas. To register to attend this fun-filled family event, register here.
Maryland State Fair
Maryland State Fair is changing their schedule in 2022; it will be held over three weekends and some weekdays between August 25 and September 11, 2022. See the website for more details. Come to the fair and support your Maryland 4-Hers!
STEM Contests
The 4-H Robotics and Engineering (Large Tractor, Electricity/Energy, Small Engine, Bicycle Safety, Lawn Tractor) contests at the Maryland State Fair will open in July for youth to register for in 4-H Online and close in August. The dates/times/locations are:
- Bicycle Safety: Saturday Sept 10: 10am, North End Cow Palace
- Lawn Tractor: Saturday Sept 10: 1pm, North End Cow Palace
- Small Engine: Saturday Sept 10, 4pm, North End Cow Palace
- Electricity/Energy: Saturday Sept 10, 5pm, North End Cow Palace
Shooting Sports
Archery - September 24, 2022
Registration is now open via 4-H Online for the State 4-H Archery Match. The registration period is August 16 - September 9, 2022, and the contest is 8am, Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Carroll County Agriculture Center in Westminster, MD. Youth Contestants must have approved 4-H enrollment, be enrolled in the Shooting Sports Archery or General Project area, and have recommendation from their Shooting Sports Archery Instructor. More information on match eligibility, requirements, rules, and registration can be found in the attached event packet or on the Maryland 4-H website.
Rifle - September 17, 2022
Registration is now open via 4-H Online for the State 4-H Shooting Sports Smallbore Rifle Championship Match. The registration period is August 5 - September 2, 2022, and the contest is 8am Saturday, September 17, 2022. Youth Contestants must have approved 4-H enrollment, be enrolled in the Shooting Sports Smallbore Rifle or General Project area, and have recommendation from their Shooting Sports Rifle Instructor. More information on match eligibility, requirements, rules, and registration can be found in the attached event packet or on the Maryland 4-H website.
Shotgun - October 22, 2022
(Details to come soon)
Youth Shooting Opportunity - Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays
Maryland 4-H Volunteer Town Hall
We continue to be thankful for the commitment and support of our Maryland 4-H Volunteers. It is because of your dedication that we're able to reach thousands of youth across our state. Volunteers serve as mentors who offer knowledge and new experiences that follow youth far into adulthood. We know that our children and communities will need caring adults now more than ever. We can't thank you enough for being that caring adult in a 4-Hers life! As our summer comes to a close and we begin preparing for the year ahead, we want to be sure to hear from you.
For those in town for the Maryland State Fair, we invite you to join Dr. Nia Fields, University of Maryland Extension Assistant Director and Maryland 4-H Program Leader, for a "Volunteer Mix & Mingle": September 11th, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the 4-H/FFA Home Arts Indoor Exhibit Building at the MD State Fair. To register, go to https://go.umd.edu/volmeet to RSVP for this event.
National 4-H Week 10/2 - 10/8
Our Fall National 4-H Week is coming up in October!
Looking for ways to celebrate 4-H? Check out these cool tips to keep 4-H Thriving: https://4-h.org/about/blog/10-ways-to-celebrate-national-4-h-week/
AAC 4-H Cookout
Our annual county-wide 4-H Cookout was held in lovely weather at the Kinder Farm Park Friday, August 12th. The 4-H Foundation provided all the meats, along with various condiments and paperware. 4-H Families brought a delicious array of sides. We had an awesome turnout of about 70 people! Several awards were presented:
- Cris DiBenio and Ed McCabe were awarded with the Terry Cooper Unsung Hero Award.
- The winner of the T-shirt design context was Clara L. from Kinder Farm Park. She was unable to attend but will be formally recognized at the County Fair Award Ceremony at 3pm, Sunday, September 18th.
- And finally, 4-H Alumni were presented with their Foundation Alumni gift bag.
We would like to thank the AAC 4-H Foundation for hosting a beautiful evening of celebration and comradery! ⬇⬇ Photos below ⬇⬇
Fairgound Clean up
Club Annual Document Submission Reminder
Leaders, just a reminder Club/Unit Annual Documents are due By October 1st but can be sent in anytime they are completed. Please reference this guide for submitting 990N: Guide to 990N. Remember to use the forms below, as we are required to upload these specific documents:
Judges Needed - All Adults can Volunteer
MANY HANDS MAKES LIGHT WORK!
On Monday, September 12th, 2022, Anne Arundel County 4-H Youth Development needs adults (minimum 1 hour) to assist in judging youth 4-H projects at the Anne Arundel County Fair. Bring only yourself, instructions & materials will be given to you when you arrive. You do NOT need to be a 4-H volunteer, all are welcome.
We are also looking for volunteers to help with 4-H project indoor entry set-up on Tues, September 13th. Again, a simple 1 hour commitment can make a huge difference!
***For additional details and/or to rsvp for a time on either day, please contact Joy Sim at jsim@umd.edu.
Flying Underwater Towards STEM Careers
Imagine gliding beneath the waves of the Chesapeake Bay to catch a glimpse of the underwater communities of shellfish, their habitats, and how well they’re thriving. Through robotics, Maryland 4-H students will soon be able to make this underwater exploration possible. On the horizon is a fun new collaboration that will give students the skills to build and “fly” their own underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), while learning about sustainable aquaculture, developing their interests in STEM fields, and growing potential career paths for the future.
The 4-H team is developing a simple, low-cost ROV kit that will operate underwater via a tethered remote control, along with activities designed to help students understand how underwater vehicles are controlled, how they are constructed to house electronics and other internal components that can’t come into contact with water, and to learn about some of the basic applications of underwater ROVs, especially as they relate to shellfish farming, said Mark DeMorra, state 4-H STEM specialist.
This work is a component of the Smart Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture Management (S3AM) initiative led by the A. James Clark School of Engineering, which is developing professional ROVs with camera capabilities to assess the condition and health of oyster beds for aquaculture farmers. “We’re taking certain elements of the S3AM grant and incorporating them into new and existing 4-H programming," said DeMorra. “This includes not only engineering, physics, environmental science, aquaculture, and other STEM topics, but also career connections for youth.”
“At this point we’re in the pilot testing phase with the underwater ROV kits,” said Willie Lantz, principal agricultural agent in Garrett County who is named on the S3AM grant. “We are working on developing both oyster educational materials and underwater robotics activities to go along with the ROVs.”
STEM subjects and other interdisciplinary topics are important for youth development as we prepare the next generation to handle global issues like food insecurity and environmental health. They also widen the breadth of opportunities available to students who may not have previously been interested in STEM career paths, or 4-H membership.
Providing diverse experiences and helping all Maryland youth to be college and career-ready is one of the major goals of 4-H, according to Dr. Nia Imani Fields, assistant director and program leader for Maryland 4-H. In her vision statement for the program’s future, The Purpose and Promise of 4-H, Fields wrote: “Today, 4-H reaches youth in rural, suburban, and urban communities across our state and country. We provide programming in a variety of areas ranging from animal science and agricultural literacy to civic engagement and social justice. One of our fastest growing programs in Maryland has been our STEM robotics programs.”
“Our role in the S3AM project is to provide a variety of opportunities to youth to learn about the university’s work, the oyster population, the technology that may be used, and expose them to different careers associated with this work to raise awareness and, hopefully, interest in the next generation of workers that will take over,” said Amanda Wahle, senior agent with Maryland 4-H who is also named in the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) funded grant.
Lantz and Wahle will be working to incorporate the new robotics program into camp activities across the state, as well as assisting in developing new camp opportunities including a specialized shellfish/ROV camp in the future. The team has also incorporated the shellfish theme into the 2022 4-H Robotics Challenges, to be held at this year’s Maryland State Fair, although the ROV kit itself won’t be available to youth till the fall. Visitors are welcome to see the robotics challenges in action on Aug. 28, 2022 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Md.
by Laura Wormuth : Momentum Summer 2022
University of Maryland Extension - Anne Arundel County 4-H
Have questions, ideas or news to share? Please Email Joy Sim, jsim1@umd.edu, to be included in our UME - AAC 4-H monthly newsletter.
Check out our Facebook page: Anne Arundel County 4-H
Email: GSumbrum@umd.edu
Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/4-h-youth-development
Location: 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, USA
Phone: 4102223900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACO4H
