Anne Arundel County 4-H Happenings

It’s February already! As usual, the beginning of our year is a time for planning, goal setting, and (re-)enrolling. These are responsibilities for youth alongside adults/leaders/volunteers.

Learning and development are connected processes – both work together to help a young person thrive (NIFA-USDA), hence 4-H’s slogan “Learn by Doing”. As we plan, let’s be intentional about working together, building developmental relationships that assist youth in adding to their life skills tool box and assist adults in understanding youths’ capabilities. To start conversations, adults should ask open-ended questions to prompt youths’ voice.

Some examples:

- Describe a service opportunity that you would you like to participate in.

- How can the club help you learn a new skill/ reach a goal?

- What are ways our club can get more members involved in each meeting?

- How will you help with a particular activity this year?

Youth can set their own goals while being part of the club’s overall planning committee; set reminders and mini goals as needed to successfully accomplish tasks. Don’t forget to celebrate the wins! Adults can provide support and guidance during the process. The 4-H office would like to hear about your goals and accomplishments. Ways to share include completing Diamond Clover Projects, Project/Record Books, and sending us a brief story to publish in this newspaper, include a picture!

Looking forward to a productive 2023 full of exploration and new experiences!

Regards,

Gretchen and Joy

*** As always, most of our events can be found on our ‘ 2023 4-H Calendar’!

JOIN US! This event is here in our county, so exciting.

Civic engagement programs empower young people to be well-informed citizens who are engaged in their communities and the world. 4-H ACTS will provide an opportunity for youth to travel to the state capitol, learn about civics, engage with legislators and tell their 4-H stories. Through this unique event, youth will gain skills in civic engagement to promote involvement in their communities & governments, explore the State Capitol's history and learn about Maryland government structure, representatives and operations. Activities include a morning assembly with keynote speakers, guided tour of the State House, Scavenger Hunt activity, and a 4-H Showcase. Youth/volunteers are welcome to observe the legislature in action via a General Assembly Session that evening on their own. This is a new activity - information can be found on the UME - AAC 4-H 'Events and Opportunities' webpage.

Event Details:

• Date: Presidents Day (Public School day off), Monday, February 20, 2023

• Location: Historic Inns of Annapolis Governor Calvert House, 58 State Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401

• Register through 4HOnline until Feb. 10

For those enrolled: Orientation and Informational Meeting offered both Feb 2 and Feb 6, 7-8pm (content will be identical for both of these, so please choose to attend only one).

Information about all state hosted Civic Engagement programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/civic-engagement-social-justice

Workshop: A works will be held on Monday, March 6th from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the Extension Office

We'll review some public speaking basics, go over 4-H rules and scoring, and practice our skills in a supportive environment. There are two new categories: Demonstration and Visual Presentation.

Register here now through Feb. 27th

Contest: Saturday 3/25/23, 9:30 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. presentations start at Baldwin Early Learning Center (Baldwin United Methodist Church)

Registration is now open through March 19th - click here.

Through the 4-H Public Speaking Contest, youth have an opportunity to write a speech or a public service announcement (PSA) and deliver it to an audience. This event helps youth develop skills for communicating to real audiences, organize and prepare a speech, practice speech delivery skills, learn presentation skills, and develop self-confidence. Ribbons awarded by 4-H age category (Jr, Int, Sen) for 1st-3rd place.

County winners will have the opportunity to advance to the State Public Speaking Contest held at Maryland Day on 4/29/23 at the University of MD, College Park. Please check out our webpage for more information, rules, etc... Note there are 2 new categories!

*** JUDGES NEEDED. No experience/special credentials needed. Join us for a fun experience. Please email Gretchen for more info: gsumbrum@umd.edu.

Club Leaders were to bring Record Books to the Extension Office by 2/1/23. Leaders please ensure you have a record of each member that handed in a book. All Books should include a title page, table of contents, essay/4-H story, photos/drawings, Summary and Project Record components. More information and the grading sheet can be found on the county UME-AAC Extension website. Youth may use the sturdy 4-H cover (purchased online) or a 3-ring binder.

Mandatory Livestock meeting for youth completing Market Projects, February 15, 2023.

Southern H.S. (4400 Solomons Island Rd, Harwood, MD 20776) at 6:30 p.m. This includes the following species - poultry, rabbit, steer, swine, goat, and sheep. Please watch for emails from Club Leaders and/or the Livestock Auction Committee (LAC).

Save the date! Our annual Anne Arundel County 4-H Summer Camp will be held July 23-28th. The cost for this full week of outdoor fun is $425. We will announce via our newsletter when registration is officially open. Forms will be linked and can always be found on the camping webpage.

2023 Re-enrollment through 4-H Online

All 4-H Member, Clover, and UME Volunteer re- enrollments must be completed between early January - March 1 via 4-H Online. Youth members and volunteers can now enroll for the 2023 Maryland 4-H year.

Re-enrollment: 2023 membership families should have received notification directly through 4-H Online via broadcast email. To enroll, simply log into your family 4-H Online profile and click 'Enroll Now' next to your name. Remember to use your family account from last year (same email & password) and re-enroll each person listed on your account. *Please do not create a new account* 4-H Youth Members and clovers can submit $10 participation fee through 4-H Online. Volunteers are always free!! :)

Volunteers: Volunteer Type: if you belong to a club, choose Unit Volunteer. (Unit = Club). Doing this allows you to choose a club also. If you choose Project Volunteer, you will not be in a club and will not appear on the leader's roster.

Roles selected in 4-H Online must match the signed description in your hard copy volunteer file. You must complete both the enrollment and screening sections.

For returning volunteers with 5 or more years: The state 4-H program requires all UME Volunteers who have been an UME Volunteer for 5 or more years to complete the Maryland 4-H Volunteer Refresher Training. You can complete the Refresher Course anytime from the comfort of your own home by visiting our county 'Volunteers' webpage.

Additional resources can be found on our Maryland 4-H Webpage 'For Families'.

New Volunteers: please reach out to Christie ckneipp@umd.edu for guidance on getting started.

Please join us Sunday, February 19th at 6:00pm for the 2023 Maryland 4-H Virtual Awards Gala! Continuing our year end giving theme, “Be EPIC!”, we will recognize Maryland 4-H youth and adult volunteers who went beyond the extraordinary to the EPIC in 2022! Outstanding 4-H youth emcees will lead the program recognizing Diamond and Emerald Clover award recipients, 4-H state team and leadership delegations and Maryland 4-H Foundation scholarship recipients.

The Awards Gala and Volunteer Awards will both be broadcast on the Maryland 4-H Foundation Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Maryland4HFoundation) and the Maryland 4-H YouTube Channel (https://go.umd.edu/MD4HYouTube).

Contact Amanda Wahle, ES specialist: awahle@umd.edu for more info.

Engineering Camp

The next MD 4-H Engineering Camp will be April 21-23, 2023 at the Harford County 4-H Camp (The Rocks). We are looking for interested Tier 3 background-checked volunteers to help chaperone! Please reach out to Mark DeMorra, mdemorra@umd.edu, for questions and interest.

Volunteers needed for State Fair Engineering Contests

We are looking for interested educators, volunteers, and potential new leadership for our 4-H Engineering Contests at the Maryland State Fair. The current Engineering contests include:

• 4-H Bicycle Safety

• 4-H Small Engine

• 4-H Electricity/Energy

• 4-H Lawn Tractor (Learn to Earn)

• 4-H/FFA Tractor Operator’s Safety (Large Tractor)

Please reach out and/or have interested volunteers contact Mark DeMorra at mdemorra@umd.edu. We want to “resurrect” the state Welding and Computer contests in the Engineering Division too! If you are interested in assisting with these efforts, also contact Mark.

Information about all state hosted STEM programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/stem.

Information about all state hosted Environmental Science programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/environmental-sciences

State Dog Skillathon

Saturday, February 25th at the University of Maryland Animal Science Building in College Park, MD. This is a contest in which individuals compete. There will be NO team entries. There will be a $5.00 entry fee for each contestant.

4-H members wishing to participate should contact their county/city 4-H office. Official registration for the contest must be submitted via the 4-H Online registration system by February 15, 2023. There is no limit to the number of individuals that each UME unit may register for this contest. Individuals participating in the statewide contest must be enrolled as a Maryland 4-H member for 2023 in 4-H Online by February 15, 2023.

Contest rules are available on the Maryland 4-H Animal Science webpage at: https://extension.umd.edu/4-h/4-h-program-areas/animal-science-resources.

2023 Maryland 4-H Horse Bowl Contest

The 2023 Horse Bowl Contest will be held in person at the Plant Science Building in College Park, MD on Saturday, March 11, 2023. 4-H Horse Bowl provides an opportunity for two teams of three to four players to face off in front of a panel of judges and the 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.

Registration for the contest opened in 4-H Online in mid-January 2023. Contest eligibility, rules and regulations will be posted soon at https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences/4-h-horse-program.

Chris Anderson at canders2@umd.edu to request connecting information.

Dairy Fun Day

Saturday, February 11, 2023 9:30-11:30 AM To be held virtually on Zoom

Come learn about, practice, and try your hand at: • Dairy Skillathon • Dairy Quiz Bowl • Dairy Judging • Other Dairy Related Educational Opportunities.

In order to participate, you will need access to a computer and a cell phone/tablet, each device will need Internet connection. Register at: https://go.umd.edu/4hdairyfunday

Registration deadline: February 8, 2023 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the zoom.

Career AGsperience Program

Youth between 13-18 years old are invited to attend the Career AGsperience Program for Free! Come explore career planning, resume development, internship acquisition, interviewing skills, business etiquette, agriculture related careers and beyond. Information gained will be great for any career/college choice, not just Agriculture related.

Click this link to register.

- In-Person February 25, 2023, 9:30am - 3:30 pm at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Register by Feb. 10th. (virtual and in-person presentation are identical)

Information about all state hosted programs can be found on the state Animal Science webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences

Inbound Opportunity - Hosting international youth

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 13 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.

Information about all state hosted International programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/international-programs. Or contact Carrie Wivell at cwivell@umd.edu.

Ignite by 4-H - The Ultimate Teen Summit

March 9-12, 2023

Washington, DC

Spark your imagination and passion! Ignite by 4-H is an inclusive teen event held in Washington, D.C. for four days of inspiring and engaging panels, respected speakers, workshop sessions, entertainment and creating amazing connections. Explore the best 4-H has to offer in STEM, Agriscience, Healthy Living and Emotional Well-Being. Discover exciting career paths and create an actionable plan to help create real change in your community.

• $950 per person for double occupancy (youth or adult)
• $1,200 per person for single occupancy (adult)

*** Information about other National programs can be found on www.4-H.org.

NOTE: All events, County/State/National, are subject to change due to ongoing health crisis.

*** Be sure to share your club's next event with us so we can help you spread the word! ***

The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) offers youth scholarships. This year, CMP will continue to award $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000 scholarships for over 90 rising high school seniors. Applicants will compete based on their rifle, pistol and/or shotgun competition history, academic excellence, community service, leadership and potential.

The CMP no longer requires a minimum GPA, though academic performance is still a key component of the selection criteria. In addition, the new automated application replaces paper forms and mailing documents with an online application and the ability to upload documents. CMP will award a total of $200,000 for the 2023-2024 school year.

The deadline to apply for a CMP Scholarship will be March 31, 2023. A link to the online application portal and other scholarship information can be found by visiting https://thecmp.org/youth/cmp-scholarship-program/.

What's your talent? The AAC 4-H Foundation is once again sponsoring the annual Variety Show at 4pm on February 26, 2023 (with a snow date of March 5th) at the Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church! Be part of a group or do your own own individual act. There's signing, dancing, skits, playing instruments, and much more. Join us as part of the show or an audience member. It's a family event so young and old alike will enjoy the presentations. Blue, red and white ribbons awarded for each act. Champion & Reserve Champ Group Acts as well as the Champion & Reserve Individual/Duet Acts receive cash awards to their 4-H Club.

For information, registration, rules and judging forms, visit our AAC Foundation webpage. Contact Joan Mauritzen at jm0037@prattlibrary.org for general questions or Mary Thomas at hackyt@aol.com for club acts. Judges needed, no experience necessary.

*** Share your club experiences, 4-H'er accomplishments, & any events with us so we can include them in the newsletter! ***

We wanted to include a quick reminder that annual unit plans are due no later than February 12, 2023. The hope is that youth and adult leader work together to establish the plan allowing officers to step up and take responsibility. It may take more time to work through the process, yet once established you will find the time spent is well worth the effort in teaching the youth valuable leadership skills. Please see our county webpage: Unit Leader Annual Requirements:

Established clubs are required by Maryland State 4-H to send the county office annual forms; one set in October and a different set in February. Please see below for dates and forms. These are the forms due by February 12

• Club Program Plan and Officer Roster
• ByLaws: only send if a change was made

Following the Virtual Awards Gala, on February 19th at 7:30pm, there will be a broadcast of Maryland 4-H Volunteers: Celebrating the Heart of Maryland 4-H” showcasing the 2022 Maryland 4-H Volunteer Award recipients and 2022 National 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee, Bruce Berlage.

The Awards Gala and Volunteer Awards will both be broadcast on the Maryland 4-H Foundation Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Maryland4HFoundation) and the Maryland 4-H YouTube Channel (https://go.umd.edu/MD4HYouTube).

Our Anne Arundel County UME Office is hiring a part-time SNAP-Ed Program Assistant (not 4-H specific). This position will be located at our UME office in Gambrills, MD. To learn more about this position and to apply, visit: https://go.umd.edu/arundel-position.

In this part of the newsletter, we'll take a moment to explore careers 4-H supports through experiential learning by engaging youth in hands-on experiences and reflection.

With our upcoming 4-H ACTS Event coming up in February we wanted to highlight some Civic Engagement/Political Science Careers this particular event may *spark* an interest in:

1. Advocate - a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.

2. Lobbyist - a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators.

3. Political Action Committees (PACs)(in the US) an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.

4. Attorney -A lawyer is someone who has graduated from law school and passed the bar exam, but they are not necessarily licensed to practice law. An attorney, on the other hand, is a lawyer who is licensed to practice law. In order to become an attorney, a lawyer must pass the bar exam in their jurisdiction.

5. Judge - a public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.

6. Paralegal - a person trained in subsidiary legal matters but not fully qualified as a lawyer.

7. Speech Writer - develops and writes speeches, briefings, and other communications for executives. Translates the ideas, objectives, corporate position, and management philosophy into messaging that relates to the topic, speaker, and intended audience.

8. Journalist - Journalists research, write, edit, proofread and file news stories, features and articles. Their pieces are used on television and radio or within magazines, journals and newspapers, in print and online.

9. Public Policy Specialist - The policy specialist monitors, reviews, analyzes, interprets, proposes, and drafts public policies conducive to a steady state economy.

10. FBI/ CIA - FBI agents may conduct surveillance, gather and analyze data, monitor online activities, collect evidence, and carry out arrests. The FBI also operates branchesaround the world, keeping tabs on foreign governments. CIA officers, collect information through human and other sources, evaluate intelligence in regard to national security, and coordinate with other agencies or departments to collect national intelligence outside the US.

Looking to engage your child directly in career planning, resume and/or career development? Check out our upcoming *Career AGsperience Program* held in Jan & Feb both online and at the Howard Cty Fairgrounds. More information can be found under the 'Upcoming Regional, State and National Events' header in this newsletter.

See our "AAC 4-H 2023 Calendar' for more details. Updates will be made as they become available. All newsletters are uploaded to our AAC website.

February

• 2/1 - Record books due to Extension office, see webpage 4-H Forms

• 2/12 - Unit Leader Annual Requirements (Annual Forms) are due

• 2/15 - Livestock meeting, Southern High School

• 2/19 - Virtual Gala/ Celebrating Volunteers

• 2/20 - 4-H ACTS *NEW*, all day event, see ‘Events & Opportunities’

• 2/26 - AAC 4-H Foundation sponsored Variety Show (snow date 3/5), 4pm

March

• 3/6 - Public Speaking workshop

• 3/9-12 - Ignite by 4-H

• 3/25 - AAC 4-H Public Speaking Contest

Future Events

• 4/21 - 23 - MD 4-H Engineering Camp

• 11/1 - 4/15 - Sheep Breeders Association Scholarship Application

• 7/23 - 7/28 - AAC 4-H Residential Summer Camp - Save the date!

4-H Inclement Weather Policy: If there is no school, or there is early dismissal in Anne Arundel County due to inclement weather, ALL 4-H events will be cancelled.

4-H Health Policy: MD 4-H activities must comply with local directives for indoor or outdoor gatherings, following AACPS advisories.

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? email Gretchen Sumbrum, UME - AAC Educator, gsumbrum@umd.edu.

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