Annual Turkey Shoot
The annual 4-H Turkey Shoot is scheduled to occur on Saturday, Nov 4, 2023, 9am at the Meyer Station Nature Center. This is a free event for all ages, 4-H and non 4-H, youth and adult, with special activities available for youth aged 5-7. Contestants may choose archery or riflery and you shoot at paper targets. You may bring but do not need your own equipment. (see flyer). Breakfast and Lunch refreshments will be available for sale. The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation sponsors cash prizes to top-scoring contestants. No RSVP required. Reach out to friendshipoutdoorskills4h@gmail.com for more information.
Diamond Clover Awards
Diamond Clover Awards are designed to encourage 4-H members ages 10 to 18 to engage in a variety of projects and activities to acquire the skills necessary to lead successful lives as competent, caring, and contributing members of society. For all Diamond Clover Forms and additional information click here.
- The Diamond Clover Award is designed for younger youth to begin at Level 1 and progress through six levels, one level per year. Youth who are older when joining 4-H, may begin at a higher level (2-4) if mutually agreeable to the participant and the club/group leader with the permission of the 4-H Educator. It is recommended that 4-H members complete one year of 4-H before starting the DC program.
- Youth meeting the requirements of levels 1-4 will be recognized at the Club/County/City level.
- Youth accomplishing levels 5 and 6 will be recognized at an appropriate state event.
Girls Leading Change
Internation Day of Women
On October 11, 2023, fifteen 4-H'ers from around the state were invited to the program 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 with Dr. Jill Biden, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Jennifer Klein, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Gender Policy Council and girls from around the country who have made small and large scale change in their communities. It was, in a word from one of our youngest attendees, Flora, "inspiring."
Led by our Maryland 4-H Foundation Director, Lauren Mohler, our youth heard of these young women's fantastic work in their communities. Afterward, our youth had some of the following about what they heard and saw. Aliya said, "It inspired herself and others to be themselves and confident." "The program reminded me to drive more change in 4-H", said Ester.
Other girls like Morgan said, "This program spoke about being brave, fearless, and having determination in small and large ways in your community." And Shelby had this thought, "I learned about the many ways you can create change with different possibilities." Dionna suggested, "Your voice matters." And Mariah thought, "I am inspired to change the world if you have a vision and want to make a change in your community."
4-H Senior 4-H Portfolio Workshop
The Maryland 4-H Program will host a virtual Senior 4-H Portfolio Workshop on Wednesday, 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝟲:𝟯𝟬 𝗽𝗺.
Register to attend (via Zoom) https://umd.zoom.us/.../tJ0vcO2hrzkoG93njY4mQ-ZJk5f4-67U2AGe
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Senior 4-H Portfolio Process selects youth to attend National Leadership Trips. Here are the
𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗔𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟰-𝗛 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀:
• National 4-H Conference (D.C. in April)
• National Leadership Conference (at Camp Miniwanca in Michigan in June)
• West Virginia Older Member’s Conference (June)
• Virginia 4-H Congress (June)
• National 4-H Congress (Atlanta in November)
For more information, visit: https://go.umd.edu/leadershiptrips
National 4-H Leadership Trips
SUBMITTING YOUR SENIOR PORTFOLIOS FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TRIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior level 4-H members the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level. All enrolled and dues-paying club members ages 14-18 (as of January 1st the year the trip takes place) from all counties are eligible to submit an application and portfolio packet for any of the following national leadership trips. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a portfolio package which includes:
Leadership Trip Application
4-H Resume (Example)
Essay: The 2024 Senior Essay Prompt is "How has your involvement in 4-H changed in your life?"
More information can be found on the state webpage: https://go.umd.edu/nationalleadership, scroll to the National 4-H Leadership Opportunities.
Due Dates:
- Nov 15 - Jan 15 - Portfolios must be submitted to 4-H Online for National 4-H Congress (Atlanta/Nov), Virginia 4-H Congress (June), and West Virginia Older 4-H Members Conference (June), National Leadership Conference (Camp Miniwanca, MI/June).
- Oct - Nov 14 - National 4-H Conference (D.C./April)
*** Please note that portfolios must be submitted to Gretchen Sumbrum for county approval at our county office by Dec. 1st. Once approved, the portfolio must be submitted to 4-H Online by 1/15/23. NOTE: It is very important that seniors understand they must be enrolled in 4-H for the 2023 year prior to submitting (if submitting sometime 1/1/23 - 1/15/23) AND that 4-H Online is often shut down from mid-Dec to mid-Jan. Seniors are strongly urged to take advantage of the November - mid December portal entry date to avoid missing the January 15th deadline.
Maryland State Council
The Maryland 4-H State Council is the premiere leadership opportunity. It is comprised of active 4-H members from around the state interested in developing high level leadership skills and representing their local 4-H program. State Council members have the opportunity to learn from each other, volunteers, and faculty/staff outside of their club and local 4-H Program. The State Council is led by a youth officer team and faculty/staff advisors.
Applications to join the 2024 Maryland 4-H State Council will be accepted from September 15 - November 15, 2023. All 4-H members aged 13-18 are eligible to apply through the 4-H Online Event registration. They will need to submit a 4-H resume and cover letter, additional info here. Check out the 2023 State Council Who’s Who. Reach out to a fellow 4-H'er to ask about their experience.
Ignite by 4-H
Ignite by 4-H, an inclusive teen event, returns March 13-17, 2024 to Washington, D.C. Featuring four days of inspiring and engaging panels, respected speakers, workshop sessions, entertainment and amazing connections. The summit will provide high-school aged youth from across the country the opportunity to explore the best 4-H has to offer in STEM, Agriscience, Healthy Living, Career Readiness and Emotional Well-Being. National 4-H Council is covering registration fees for all applicants
When: March 13th-17th,2024
Where: Washington, DC - Renaissance Hotel (soon to be Westin) @ 999 9th St NW and Marriot Marquis across the street (satellite lodging and registration) 901 Massachusetts Ave.
Take Advantage of Early Bird Registration: Save $150 per person on your double occupancy registration (must be paid by November 9th).
Apply for Scholarship: This year, we are able to offer qualifying scholarships to 4-H members/volunteers to cover registration or travel expenses (or both!) for youth and adults interested in attending Ignite. Please reach out to gsumbrum@umd.edu.
Maryland 4-H Dog Bowl Contest
The 2023 Maryland 4-H Dog Bowl will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 on the UMD campus in College Park. The contest will feature Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age divisions. Registration for the event will open soon in 4-H Online and will be due by November 15, 2023.
About Dog Bowl: In 4-H Dog Bowl, two teams of three to four players face off in front of a panel of judges and a moderator who asks questions during the matches. Each match consists of One-on-One questions which are limited to one player from each team to answer, and Open questions which may be answered by all players of each team. Players must be quick on the buzzer to earn the chance to answer the questions. Correct answers score points for the team. 4-H members who are interested should contact our county office right away.
The rules and regulations for the 2023 contest are posted on the Maryland 4-H webpage at: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences. Click on the Animal Science Resources Link and scroll to Competitive Events: Judging / Bowls / Skillathons / Hippology Contests. Contact Ashley Travis at ashley90@umd.edu or Chris Anderson at canders2@umd.edu if you have questions.
Maryland 4-H State Animal Science Project Awards
The Maryland 4-H Animal Science Project and Record Awards Program recognizes senior age 4-H members in the Animal Science Program for outstanding achievements in their project work. The awards program will provide recognition to 4-H members who demonstrate 1) distinguished levels of engagement in the Maryland 4-H Animal Science Program projects and related activities and 2) excellence in project record-keeping activities. Application Portal will open on 4-H Online soon.
Applications for the 2023 Awards will be accepted in 4-H Online now through 11/15/23. There are 13 project categories (see webpage under "Animal Science Resources/Animal Science Project Records") and awards will be presented at the Maryland 4-H Awards Gala.
- Maryland 4-H Animal Science Records State Award Program Guide -To submit login into Maryland 4-H Online, under the events tab search for "State 4-H Animal Science Record Book Contest" to upload your 3 forms.
- Maryland 4-H Animal Science Record Awards - Submission Helpsheet
- Maryland 4-H Animal Science Records State Award Program Essay Scoresheet
Maryland 4-H Horse Bowl Clinic
The 2023 Horse Bowl Clinic will provide an opportunity for Maryland 4-H youth, volunteers, and UME faculty/staff to acquire skills and knowledge about the different aspects of Horse Bowl. Youth participants will play each other in a “mock contest” format and will learn about scoring, rules, and the type of questions to study for and expect in a real contest! Adult participants will learn tips and breakdowns of learning to teach, how to set up a successful practice schedule and more! Cost is $10.00 which includes light refreshments and materials.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, December 2, 2023
- Start Time: Check-in at 8:30am, Clinic begins promptly at 9:00am
- Location: University of Maryland Animal Science Building: 8127 Regents Dr, College Park, MD 20740
- Fee: $10.00 per youth or adult participant. Must be paid by credit/debit card in 4-H Online when registering.
- Registration Closes: 11:59 pm on November 27, 2023
Eligibility
This clinic is open to 4-H youth members and volunteers who are interested in learning more about Horse Bowl.
How to Register
Registration for this event is through 4-H Online. To access the registration log in to your 4-H Online family profile and click on the Events tab. You can find an Event Registration “how to” guide on the Maryland 4-H website. All event registrations must be submitted by 11:59 pm on 11/27/2023. Contact State 4-H Equine Coordinator Rebecca Bittner at regunder@umd.edu.
Shooting Sports
Like all of our 4-H programs, the purpose of shooting sports programs is rooted in teaching youth important life skills. Our programs are valuable for helping young people develop self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility, teamwork, self-esteem, and sportsmanship. The discipline and self-control required for responsible firearms and archery use carry over to many other aspects of life. Maryland 4-H Shooting Sports includes rifle, archery, air pistol, shotgun, and more.
Shotgun Instructor Training
Event Details
Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023 (rain date November 5)
Time: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Location: Dug Hill Rod & Gun Club, 4100 Wine Rd, Westminster MD
Fee: $100.00
Participation: Maximum 15 participants. A waitlist will be established when filled.
Registration Closes: November 1, 2023
Eligibility
Certified UME 4-H Volunteers who will serve as 4-H Shotgun Instructors for 4-H clubs or programs. Volunteers must have an approved enrollment for 2023.
Pre-Event Coursework
Participants are required to complete 4-5 hours of online coursework prior to the start of the training. A link to this training will be sent in your approval and confirmation email. This is a mandatory requirement to attend the Instructor Training. Individuals who are unable to complete the online coursework prior to start of in-person training will forfeit their spot and be asked to attend a future training. Complete information and rules can be found on the Maryland 4-H website.
How to Register
Registration for this event is through 4-H Online. To access the event registration log in to your 4-H Online family profile and click on the Events tab. You can find an Event Registration “how to” guide on the Maryland 4-H website. All event registrations must be submitted by 11:59 pm on November 1, 2023. Registrations will be verified and approved by local 4-H Educators and the State 4-H Event Manager. Contact your local 4-H office or visit the Maryland 4-H website for more information.
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2023 State 4-H Rifle Contest Results:
The 2023 Maryland State 4-H Rifle Results can be found here: Rifle Results
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2023 State 4-H Archery Contest Results:
The 2023 Maryland State 4-H Archery Results can be found here: Archery Results
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Shooting Sports Instructor Reporting is now open!
Shooting Sports Instructors are now able to submit reports for last year. The report covers Oct. 1, 2022-Sept. 30, 2023. Here is the link for the Google form that instructors can use to submit their teaching reports: Google Form.
2023 Maryland STEM Festival: October 13 - Nov 11
The Maryland STEM Festival is a month-long celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics that takes place every Fall across the state. Hundreds of events in various regions round the state focused on fun, interactive STEM learning opportunities will occur in October and November. Students, families, friends, STEM professionals, teachers, and volunteers will enjoy events led by partners in STEM education and industry. Information about the Festival and how to get involved can be found at: https://marylandstemfestival.org/. For information about events in our county, filter by Anne Arundel County. For more information/questions, please contact Mark DeMorra, mdemorra@umd.edu.
4-H Stem Challenge
The National 4-H STEM Challenge is the premier national rallying event for year-round 4-H STEM programming, bringing together youth, volunteers, and educators to engage in a fun and exciting series of hands-on activities that touch on relevant topics in the modern world, including Computer Science, Astronomy, Engineering, Agriculture, Physics, and Environmental Science.
Launched in 2008, the 4-H STEM Challenge activities are designed for youth 8-18, and have included coding and animating a video game, building bristle bots, cleaning up an environmental spill, building a Mars Rover, investigating how to harness wind, and much more! By being a part of these experiments, you can help Make the Best Better!
Outbound Programs
This year Maryland 4-Her's have the opportunity to explore the world and become culturally aware in 6 different outbound locations: Argentina (4-week), Costa Rica (4-week), Japan (4 & 8-week programs), Norway (4-week), South Korea (4-week), and Taiwan (4-week). Each outbound opportunity provides a unique cultural immersion experience. Delegates will experience aspects of daily life that allow them to more deeply understand both their host culture and their own! Applications are due by Dec. 15th.
Program fees include lodging, meals, transportation, camps and cultural excursions throughout the program. Scholarship opportunity is available through States' 4-H upon application approval. If you are interested, please submit an application (link).
Inbound Programs
Do you know any families wanting to experience the world all in the comfort of their own home? We are seeking families to open their homes and hearts to a Japanese delegate between 12-17 years old and show them the American Culture. We need 14 families to host a Japanese Delegate this summer from mid-July through mid-August. The program is open to any family with a child 9-18 years old. No special trips or accommodations are required; simply let a delegate change you and your children's cultural awareness for the better! If you are interested, please submit an application (link).
For further information, check out our AAC 4-H Foundation webpage.
Scholarships
1. National 4-H Trip Scholarships - The 4-H Foundation has scholarships available to 4-H members attending National 4-H trips. An application can be found on our AAC 4-H Foundation webpage.
2. Maryland 4-H Volunteer and Teen Forum
The 4-H Foundation is offering scholarships to 4-H Volunteers, Professionals and Teens (ages 13-18) who attend the upcoming 2023 Maryland 4-H Volunteer and Teen Forum in Ocean City on November 4-5. The scholarship application can be found here. The application deadline is November 14, 2023.
Fundraisers
1. New York City Bus Trip - Friday, December 8th
There are still a few seats available for the bus trip to New York City on December 8th. The cost is $170.00 per person and includes bus transportation, a ticket to the Radio City Rockettes show, and light refreshments in the morning. For further information, contact Gina Degreenia at 410-615-8235 or onebusymomofthree@comcast.net.
2. Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC) - The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation, Inc. is an approved charity with the Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC). The MCC is a workplace charitable giving program that offers Maryland state employees the opportunity to contribute to charities using the convenience of payroll deduction. If you are a state employee or retiree, or know someone who is, please consider donating to the Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation through your local campaign - EIN 52-6082282. The campaign runs from October 2 – December 11, 2023.
4-H Foundation Meetings
The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation meets the third Wednesday of each month at the County Fair Office at 7 p.m. If you are interested in helping support our county 4-H program, please join us at our next meeting. We would like to encourage a representative from each club to attend to help in planning our future events. For further information, contact the 4-H Foundation at aacounty4hfoundation@gmail.com.
Now is the time to begin preparing for rollover to the 2024 4-H program year. As in past years, 4-H Online will close mid-December for System Managers to make updates and program next year’s enrollment. The 4-H Online access timetable will be as follows:
December 1 - Enrollment closed for 2023. The enrollment function will be disabled; families will not be able to create a NEW youth or volunteer enrollment. Unapproved youth/Cloverbud and volunteer enrollments will be deleted. However, families will still be able to log in to and view their profiles, register for events, complete financial transactions, etc.
December 15 - 4-H Online access will be closed to both families and Managers (login will be disabled) for the remainder of 2022.
First week of January 2023 - 4-H Online open to Managers and families for 2023 enrollment.
From The University of Maryland Extension - 4-H Anne Arundel County
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. Programing questions, please email Gretchen Sumbrum, UME - AAC Educator, gsumbrum@umd.edu.
Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/4-h-youth-development
Location: 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, USA
Phone: tel:301-226-7477
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACO4H
University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.
