Anne Arundel County 4-H Happenings

A note from Gretchen to Anne Arundel County 4-H participants:

Hi AAC 4-H Families,

This is a note to let you know I am leaving my position with 4-H; my last day in the office is Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. It has been a pleasure working with so many wonderful youth and adults to bring a variety of experiences to Anne Arundel County. I appreciate all the relationships gained during my time here. This work allowed me to utilize my skills while also pushing me to learn and develop new ones. I've learned about some things that I never thought I would need to know :)

Luckily, you still have Joy, she has been my coworker, friend, and support for the last few years and will continue to be a great asset for AAC 4-H.

Thanks to all of you for this valuable opportunity. I look forward to seeing the continued success of AAC 4-H.

Regards,

Gretchen

2024 Re-enrollment through 4-H Online

⏰ DUE MARCH 1 ⏰

All 4-H Member, Clover, and UME Volunteer re-enrollments must be completed between early January - March 1 via 4-H Online.

Re-enrollment: 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!! :)

• Youth: Enrollment is the same as prior years.
• Re-enrolling Volunteers: Most volunteers are "Club Volunteer" ('unit volunteer' no longer exists); choosing this allows you to pick your leadership role(s) and the club(s) you are affiliated with; if you cannot choose a club you may have picked the incorrect role. Roles chosen online must match the Role description you signed, i.e. Organizational leader, Activity leader, etc. *** NEW for 2024 Re-enrollment is a 3-step process; Enrollment, Screening, and Training Refresher (an 8 min. video). You must complete all sections; total time to re-enroll is ~10 - 15 mins. The entire video (which appears in a pop-up format) must be viewed or your re-enrollment is not complete.
• New Volunteers: please reach out to Christie ckneipp@umd.edu for guidance on getting started.

Wednesday, 2/21/24 at 6:30pm at the AA County Extension Office.

Geared to assist club officers and those interested in club leadership. We will discuss the roles of board members (president, vp, secretary, treasurer), meeting rules of order, generating more club member interaction, as well as other topics. Meet other club officers and share ideas. Dinner served. All 4-Hers welcome. Parents may stay. Register here.

*** We have a new link on our webpage - In-House workshops!

Workshops are in-house, interactive sessions (at our office - 97 Dairy Lane) for either youth or adults to build knowledge and skills in a variety of areas, learn more about various 4-H programs, and provide opportunities to connect with peers from across the county. Bookmark this page found under 4-H Events!

Save the date! Our annual Anne Arundel County 4-H Summer Camp will be held July 21-26th.

We will announce (email, Facebook) when registration is officially open. Forms will be linked and can always be found on the camping webpage.

➡➡➡ TEEN STAFF NEEDED ⬅⬅⬅

Love camp? Looking for leadership opportunities?

We are always looking for Teen Staff and Adult Volunteers to join in the fun!

The deadline for AACO teen staff camp applications has been extended until 2/22 at 11:59 pm.

• Camp dates this year are July 20-26, 2024. (Teen staff go to camp on Saturday- transportation is provided).
• Please use the jot form link https://form.jotform.com/4HCenter/2024-anne-arundel-county-4-h-teen to complete the Teen Staff application. The last portion of the application does ask for you to answer a question in essay or video form. Here is a preview of the question to help you prepare.
• Essay question: You are a teen leader at camp and it is the first day. Your group is gathered at your meeting spot when one camper says she needs to use the bathroom. A second camper indicates the same so you and the two campers leave the group to head towards the restroom facilities. As you’re approaching the restrooms, two unfamiliar people appear from around the far side of the building. They appear to be in their early 20’s but they weren’t introduced as volunteers in the group gathering/orientation held 45 mins prior. Before taking action, what considerations are running through your mind? (Consider personal experiences and lessons learned, previous training, camp rules, and common sense when developing your response.) There aren't specific requirements regarding the length of the essay, formatting, etc. Please take the time to answer the question in a thoughtful, complete way to demonstrate your response to the situation.

• Once the application is complete please mail payment to the Anne Arundel County 4-H Camp, 97 Dairy Lane Gambrills, MD 21054. Checks should be made out to the University of Maryland. The deposit amount is $150 and the full payment is $300. We do have limited scholarship opportunities available. Please reach out if you would like to complete the scholarship form.

• Following the submission of your application you will receive an email confirmation and a link to schedule your interview spot. Please reach out to Amanda Wahle awahle@umd.edu, or Joy Sim jsim1@umd.edu for more information.

10am, Saturday 3/9/24 at Baldwin Early Learning Center (Baldwin United Methodist Church)

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 with real audiences, organizing and preparing a speech, practicing speech delivery skills, learning presentation skills, and developing self-confidence. Ribbons awarded by 4-H age category (Jr, Int, Sen) for 1st-3rd place. Please check out our webpage for more information, rules, etc..

Register here by March 1, 2024.

County winners eligible to advance to the State Public Speaking Contest held at Maryland Day on 4/27/24 at UMD, College Park.

*** JUDGES NEEDED. No experience/special credentials needed. Join us for a fun experience. Please email jsim1@umd.edu

On January 23 Kinder Farm 4-H held their Educational meeting for New Members.

We had stations, a warm-up bingo game and snacks at the end. The stations were run by returning 4-H members and they were club membership/enrollment, 4-H meetings, club events, record books, Diamond Clover award process, animal projects, and all about the Anne Arundel County Fair.

We had the meeting to meet and get to know the new members. It was also for new members to ask any questions they might have and learn what 4-H is all about! It was a very informative meeting for both new and returning members!

Aviva K - Club Reporter

The 4-H Variety Show was held on Sunday, February 4th at the Baldwin Church Education Building in Millersville. Clubs participating were Friendship Outdoor Skills, Kinder Farm Park and Trail Blazers 4-H Clubs.

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated, attended, and supported the show. A special thanks to our judges - Debbie Wolford-Kozenski and Marilyn Glass.

• Champion Group Act: Kinder Farm Park 4-H Club - Mixed Group Skit - "That's Farm Life"

• Reserve Champion Group Act: Trail Blazers 4-H Club - Mixed Group Song and Dance - "What Else Can I Do? from Encanto

• Champion Individual Act: Friendship Outdoor Skills 4-H Club - Timothy R., Senior Instrumental - "Guitar Medley"

• Reserve Champion Individual Act: Friendship Outdoor Skills 4-H Club - Julianna C., Junior Song - "Tomorrow" from Annie

The County 4-H Extension program would like to thank the County 4-H Foundation for hosting this wonderful event for our youth. The entertainers were so much fun to watch and the families enjoyed their performances.

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation Inc. supports the county 4-H program by providing scholarships to county 4-H members and volunteers, as well as hosting county-wide social events (like the 4-H Cookout and 4-H Ice Cream Social at the Anne Arundel County Fair). For further information, check out our AAC 4-H Foundation webpage. Questions: aacounty4hfoundation@gmail.com.

Information about all state-sponsored Animal Science programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences or contact Chris Anderson, AS specialist: canders2@umd.edu for more info.

The 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.

The 2024 Horse Bowl Contest will be held in person at the Plant Science Building (tentatively) in College Park, MD, on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Registration for the contest will be open in February 2024. 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.

The 2024 Maryland 4-H Livestock Skillathon will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 501 Perry Pkwy, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Contest rules: Contest rules are available on the Maryland 4-H website at https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences (under Animal Science Events and Animal Science Resources sections).

Eligibility/fees: The Livestock Skillathon is a contest in which individuals compete. There are NO team entries. There will be a $5.00 entry fee for each contestant. There is no limit to the number of individuals that each UME unit may enter in this contest.

Registration: Registration for the contest is submitted via the 4-H Online registration system. All youth participants and youth/adult coaches must be registered in 4HOnline by February 21, 2024.

The 2024 Maryland 4-H State Dairy Skillathon event will be held on Saturday, March 23 at the Carroll County Extension Office. Registration check-in starts at 9:30am, and the contest begins at 10:00am. 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 is submitted via the 4-H Online registration system and is due by March 10, 2024 (Registration will open February 9, 2024). 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 2024 in 4-H Online by March 10, 2024.

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. See the contest rules for a complete set of resources. Additional study resources & information can be found online at https://extension.umd.edu/locations/cecil-county/local-4-h-youth-education/animal-science-information (scroll down and click on the Dairy Judging Events/Quiz Bowls/Skillathon Contests tab)

Shooting Sports 101

Due to the inclement weather causing office closures and delays across the state, we have decided to reschedule Shooting Sports 101.

• The NEW date for Shooting Sports 101 will be February 29, 2024 at 10:30am.

• Here is the link to join: https://umd.zoom.us/my/awahlezoomroom?omn=92398603751

The 2024 Maryland 4-H Sporting Clays Fundraiser

As a kick off to the 2024 Maryland 4-H Shooting Sports Year, the shooting sports program would like to invite you to join us for the 2024 Maryland 4-H Sporting Clays Fundraiser!

• Location: Schrader’s Outdoors, 16090 Oakland Road Henderson, MD 21640 http://schradersoutdoors.com
• Registration: Registration begins at 9:00 am. Shooter pre-registration is not required. (Registration can be done in advance by mail, online: https://www.jotform.com/build/240250943950050 or in person on the day of the event.) As part of the fundraiser, attendees are welcome to track their own scores but we will not be holding an official awards ceremony or giving out prizes. (930a-1pm)
• We will have a food truck available on the grounds from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

• $50 per shooter

Gun Raffle:

Beretta A 300 camo 12 gauge.
$5 for one ticket or $10 for 3 tickets. Tickets are available for purchase in advance online: https://www.jotform.com/build/240250943950050 or in person on the day of the event.

We will draw the winner following the event and announce it by email and on our UME Social Media Platforms! We will work directly with the winner to get them their prize.

Sponsorship Opportunities (Must be purchased by April 6, 2024):

Event Sponsor $500 - Includes 4 shooters, station sign, full page ad and 8 raffle tickets

Station Sign (similar to golf tee signs) $100

Program Book Ad - Full Page $100

Program Book Ad- Half Page $50

Program Book Ad - Quarter Page $25

Profit Sharing for County 4-H Shooting Sports Programs: We will offer this opportunity for your County 4-H Shooting Sports Program to share directly in the profits from this event. We have decided to do a 50/50 split on the sales of Program Book Ads and Shooting Station Signs. The gun raffle tickets will not be included as part of the profit share program.

Sponsorships can be purchased online: https://www.jotform.com/build/240250943950050 or by mail using the attached sponsorship information.

For event information: Rebecca Bittner at 301-314-7145, regunder@umd.edu

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

or contact Mark DeMorra, STEM specialist: mdemorra@umd.edu for more info.

**** STAY TUNED! March 2024 STEM Updates will be released!!! ****

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

*** Club Leaders, Annual Forms were due 2/12. If you have not submitted yours please do so before 2/26. These are simple forms youth leaders or adult volunteers can help leaders complete.

Quick reminder that annual club plans are due no later than February 12, 2024. The hope is that youth and adult leaders 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 well worth the effort in teaching the youth valuable leadership skills. Documents due: Club Program Plan and Officer Roster AND ByLaws (but only if changes were made).

Applications are open for Summer 2024 'Creating Leadership & Professional Development Through Extension Internships'. Undergraduate students from certification programs, 4-year and 2-year institutions are invited to apply. Visit https://go.umd.edu/extensioninternships to learn more and to apply. Here is a video of past Internship experiences: https://youtu.be/4Q-C1EiVObA?feature=shared:

Below is a statement from our 2023 AAC Intern (former AAC 4-Her , now college student) Heather Knauss:

"Hi, I’m the Ag/FS and 4-H intern at the Anne Arundel County Extension office from the summer of 2023. The internship program is such a fun experience! On the Ag/FS side of things I got to help out at the urban farm with weeding, harvesting, and I documented/managed our moth count. On the 4-H side of things, I got to help out with lesson planning and teaching. That’s not all, the other interns in the program may work at other offices but there are multiple social events during the program to meet them and become friends. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in agriculture, education, or even communications as there are also blogs and public speaking opportunities."

See our "AAC 4-H 2024 Calendar' for more details. Updates will be made as they become available. All newsletters are uploaded to our AAC website.

Don't forget to re-enroll!!!

February

2/12 - Club Annual Forms due to AAC Educator

2/18 - Maryland 4-H State Awards Gala (Achievement Program) @ MD state fairgrounds

2/21 - Youth Club Officer Workshop, 6:30pm, AAC office

2/24 - MD State 4-H Dog Skillathon Contest

March

3/2 - MD State 4-H Livestock Skillathon Contest

3/9 - MD State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest

3/9 - AAC Public Speaking Contest

3/13-3/17 - Ignite by 4-H

3/23 - MD State 4-H Dairy Skillathon Contest

April

4/1 - 7/31 - Animal Husbandry & Quality Assurance (AH&QA)

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 canceled.

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.

Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/4-h-youth-development

Location: 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, USA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACO4H
➡ Phone: *** NEW PHONE NUMBER/SYSTEM*** ⬅

• Joy direct: tel:301-226-7478
• Main Number: 301-226-7470

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.

Unsubscribe from a newsletter/emails

Hi there, if you're here, we're guessing that you would like to unsubscribe from a newsletter (or from our marketing emails 😢).

To unsubscribe, just scroll down to the bottom of one of our marketing emails and click "unsubscribe."

If your recipient accidentally unsubscribed from your newsletters, you can learn how to re-subscribe them by clicking here.