Anne Arundel County 4-H Happenings | Smore Newsletters for Education

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Hello 4-H Families

Wishing you a Happy 2022!

As we begin our new 4-H year, I would like to reflect on one specific element of our four pillars of 4-H: Hands. "I pledge my hands to larger service..." is part of our commitment as a 4-H community. My hope in this new year is that we each take time to reflect on our service; taking a deeper dive into the necessity for and the benefits received from our involvement.

A spark (interest), ignited by a discussion or observation, can be the first step to an ‘a-ha’ moment, so perhaps begin with a simple conversation: What is service? How/why are people engaged in serving? What does one learn by participating? How does participating enable us to build relationships? Are there expectations of service? Finding that spark, followed by contemplative application and then reflection, will help youth thrive in their social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Research shows that 4-H'ers are nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities and about two times more likely to be civically active, including providing service to others. Let us know about the ‘good deeds’ being done throughout the county by our 4-H'ers so we can share it with the community.

Looking forward to a 2022 full of exploration and new experiences!

Regards,

Gretchen

2022 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. 2021 membership families will receive notification directly through 4-H Online via broadcast email when the system is open. Simply log into your family account from last year using your email & password and re-enroll each person listed on your account. *Please do not create a new account* Members and clovers can submit $10 participation fee through 4-H Online. Volunteers are always free!! :)

Volunteers: roles selected in 4-H Online must match the signed description in your hard copy volunteer file and you must complete both the enrollment and screening sections.

Steer Weigh In (Market Steers Only) January 8, 2022. 9am @ Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. Bring two completely and accurately filled out Maryland 4-H Livestock Registration Forms for each animal. (Note: Anyone who carried an animal project must turn in a record book from the previous year in order to carry an animal project in the current year.) Please reach out to your Club Leader or Extension Educator, Gretchen Sumbrum for more info.

Interested in a Dog Club? This could be a great addition to AAC clubs. 2022 Dog Advisory Webinar - Thurs., Jan. 6, 2022, 7:00pm

If interested, please join the 2022 Winter Dog Advisory Webinar Meeting. During the webinar session we will discuss plans for 2022 4-H Dog Project events including the State Fair Dog Show, Dog Bowl, and Dog Skillathon. Individuals wishing to join the Zoom session should send an email to Ashley Travis at ashley90@umd.edu or Chris Anderson at canders2@umd.edu to request connecting information.

As you are receiving this notice late, please let us know if you're interested and we will ensure you get the information.

Record Books due to Extension Office by 2/1/2022. Club Leaders will collect Record Books to be submitted to the Extension Office by 2/1/2022; youth watch for due date from club leaders. All books should include: a Title Page, Table of Contents, Essay, Photos or Drawings, Summary and Project Record components. More information and the scoring sheet can be found on the UME-AAC Extension Website under 4-H Forms for Members. Youth may use the sturdy 4-H cover (purchased online or at the extension office) or a 3-ring binder.

AAC Variety Show. 4pm, Sunday, Feb 6, 2022. Baldwin Church, 921 Generals Hwy, Millersville. What's your talent? The AAC 4-H Foundation is once again sponsoring the Variety Show! Be part of a groups or do your own thing. There's signing, dancing, skits, playing instruments, and much more. Join us Sunday, Feb. 6 as part of the show or an audience member. It's a family event so young and old alike will enjoy the presentations. Here is a link to information, registration, rules and judging forms. Registration is due by Friday, Jan. 28.

Adults interested in judging, please reach out.

National 4-H Youth Event

Reminder: National Leadership Trip Application due January 15, 2022. The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior 4-H'ers the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level as Delegates to National 4-H Congress, Camp Miniwanca, Virginia 4-H Conference, or West Virginia Older Members' Conference. The application is part of the Senior Portfolio Program. Please note that all portfolios must be reviewed and signed by Gretchen Sumbrum before submission through the portal - reach out to gsumbrum@umd.edu.

For additional details scroll down to National 4-H Leadership Opportunities on the Youth & Adult Leadership page.

Maryland State 4-H Event

Maryland 4-H Camp In-Service. Join us as we kick off the 2022 Maryland 4-H Camp Training Season! Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 9-4. The current plan is to be in person at the Howard Co Fairgrounds. The cost of the training is $35.

This training is geared toward 4-H Educators, Camp Directors, and Adult Volunteers who are currently attending or are interested in 4-H Camping. This training will cover latest updates in the field, administrative requirements, hot topics, train the trainer, American Camp Association highlights, and much more. It is also a ton of fun to visit with our camp family from around the state. Look for additional information and registration through the 4-H Online System when it reopens for 2022.

Maryland State 4-H Event

The Maryland 4-H Horsemen’s Party will be going VIRTUAL again for 2022! Mark your calendars and plan to join us February 28.

Nominations are now being accepted for three Maryland 4-H Horse Program Awards which recognize supporters of the program. Nominations will be accepted now through January 14, 2022! The nomination form and list of previous award winners can be found on the MD 4-H website under Horse Activities in the Horsemen's Party tab. Please email completed nomination forms to Becca at regunder@umd.edu by January 14, 2022.

Maryland State 4-H Event

The 2022 Maryland 4-H Horse Bowl Contest will be held over TWO dates: March 5-6, 2022 and will be conducted using the online platform called QuizBowl Pro in combination with Zoom.

Practices should start now. 4-H Horse Bowl provides an opportunity for youth teams to face off in front of a panel of judges; there are both individual and team responses. The contest will feature Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age divisions. Seniors who compete in the Horse Bowl Contest in March will be invited to a separate Senior Invitational Buzz-Off that will be used to determine the 2022 Maryland 4-H State Horse Bowl Team. Full details are on the MD 4-H website under Horse Activities Continued, Horse Bowl Contest tab.

Virtual contests and team practices…Team Coaches will want to join the Coaches Virtual Instruction Sharing Session to be held on January 13, 2021 at 7:00pm. This session will provide an opportunity to share, ask questions, and discuss virtual coaching techniques including trying QuizBowl Pro first-hand, Kahoot!, Quizlet, and Jeopardy Online. Please email Becca at regunder@umd.edu if you would like to participate in this session.

Maryland State 4-H Event

2022 Dairy Advisory Webinar Meeting - Friday, January 14, 2022, 7:00pm

Interested individuals are invited to join the 2022 Maryland 4-H Dairy Advisory Meeting which will be held on Friday, January 14, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. During the webinar session we will discuss State 4-H Animal Science updates pertaining to the dairy project area and plans for 2022 4-H Dairy Project events including Dairy Bowl, Dairy Judging, Dairy Skillathon, Dairy Fun Day, the State Fair Dairy Show and other opportunities. Individuals wishing to join the advisory/planning session can register via zoom at: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpfu-pqj0rH9VHVNjNSMsgfrwP7h1I_H_4 to receive the connection information.

Maryland State 4-H Event

Career AGsperience Program. Youth between 13-18 years old are invited to attend the Career AGsperience Program 6:30-7:45pm, January 12 - February 16, 2022 (Wednesday nights) OR February 26, 2022, 9:30am - 3:30 pm at the Howard County Fairgrounds. 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. Link to registration form.

Congratulations to our AAC State Council members! Elizabeth Karides, Sadie Fishburne, and Sean Merriam will be joining as first time members; Aneka Velthuis will be carrying out her second year. State Council is the premier leadership opportunity in Maryland. This year's goals include Making Connections and Being Engaged in memorable ways. As one of the Advisors, Gretchen is looking forward to working with them in different capacities throughout the year.

UME - AAC Maker's Market

What do you get when you combine 23 youth (both interested and current members), shaving cream, peppermint oil, cinnamon sticks, beads, string and wrapping paper? A snow-tastic day of fellowship and creativity! Your little elves were so wonderful to work with, each displaying patience and manners to adults and each other throughout the afternoon. Thank you for sharing them with us!

Look at this donation box! We delivered about 16 coats, 15 mittens/accessories, 16 hats, and 20 beautiful homemade cards to Giving Back, Linda's Legacy where they were distributed to local shelters on Christmas Eve! Thank you for helping to make this a very successful drive to help those in need in our area!

Volunteer Refresher Course The state 4-H program is requiring all UME Volunteers who have been a UME Volunteer for 5 or more years to complete the Maryland 4-H Volunteer Refresher Training, if you have not already done so. It never hurts to get updated on information for volunteering with the Maryland 4-H Program. You can complete the Refresher Course anytime from the comfort of your own home by visiting this link.

Reminder: State 4-H Team and Leadership Trip Coach/Chaperones The Maryland 4-H Program proudly supports several opportunities for youth that travel out of state to compete or participate in National Events. Each of these opportunities is led by UME Volunteers and/or Faculty/Staff as a 'chaperone'. All adults interested in serving as a state team or trip chaperone must apply to serve. An interest/knowledge in the subject matter of the trip is preferred. Organization and a desire to work with senior age 4-H members is a plus!

Team Coach/Chaperone Applications due January 15th (If submitting after 1/1/2022, you must be re-enrolled and approved for 2022 before submitting application):

Team Trip Coach/Chaperone Application - Volunteer

Annual Unit plans are due no later than Feb. 12. The hope is that youth and adult leaders work together to establish the plan allowing youth 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 worth the effort. Youth begin to feel a sense of belonging, positive youth-adult relationships are formed, and there is often more youth engagement because the work done is in an area of interest, a spark. The underlined terms are the building blocks of all 4-H programs, the Developmental Context. Planning documents located on the county 4-H website under unit leaders.

Officer/ Board Rosters for Affiliated Groups are due no later than Feb. 12, 2022. Documents located on the county 4-H website under group leaders.

Enrollment and Onboarding and Welcomes, Oh My! So many things to complete.

We would love to come to a meeting to assist with these processes. Leaders can email Gretchen with meeting dates/times; we can bring resources as requested and available. It's also an opportunity for us to meet and interact with your club members and families. We look forward to visiting.

Our 2022 Calendar is out!

Please follow this link to our website and click on the calendar icon.

Updates will be made as they become available to us.

Jan 3, 2022 - Senior Portfolios for National 4-H Leadership Trip consideration must be signed by County Educator (to be ready for Jan 15, 2022 4-H Online Portal upload).
Jan 6, 2022 - Dog Advisory Webinar, 7pm
Jan 8, 2022 - AAC Steer Weigh In (sign up for time slot required)
Jan 13, 2022 - Coaches Virtual Instruction Session (Equine), 7pm
Jan 14, 2022 - Dairy Advising Webinar, 7pm
Jan 15, 2022 - State Team/Coach Chaperone Applications due
Jan 15, 2022 - 4-H Online Enrollment begins (approximate)
Jan 17, 2022 - Extension office closed, MLK Day
Jan 17, 2022 - (through 1/21) National 4-H Shooting Sports Quiz Bowl
Jan 22, 2022 - *cancelled* Hi-Riders End of Year Banquet
Jan 22, 2022 - MD 4-H Camp Training, 9-4
Jan 28, 2022 - Maryland 4-H Gala "Building on the Best" Virtual presentation, 6pm
Feb 1, 2022 - Club Leaders bring Record Books to AAC office (4-H Form books due to clubs earlier)
Feb 6, 2022 - Variety Show, Baldwin Hall, 4pm
Feb 12, 2022 - Club/Unit Leader Spring Annual Forms due
Feb 28, 2022 - MD Horsemen's Party (virtual)
Mar 5-6, 2022 - MD Horse Bowl Contest (online platform)

*** 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 Covid Policy: MD 4-H activities must comply with local directives for indoor or outdoor gatherings. If AACPS transitions to virtual learning, we are required to transition ALL indoor 4-H activities to virtual format (including 4-H Meetings). Outdoor activities are still permitted in alignment with local government requirements for masking, physical distance and capacity sizes.

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.

Gretchen Sumbrum, UME - AAC Educator Facebook

UME 4-H Facebook

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

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