 Exploration Days Crystal Ball
It’s that time of year when 4-H families start calling our
office to find out about Exploration Days 2018. Here’s what our office knows so
far…
Exploration Days will be held Wednesday, June 20 – Friday,
June 22, 2018 at MSU. In case you didn’t know, Exploration Days is a 3 day
pre-college readiness experience on campus. Youth live in the dorms, eat in the
cafeterias, ad navigate around campus to get to mini-classes that they select
prior to the program. There are also extracurricular activities like ice
skating, swimming, playing sports at the rec centers and the Exploration Days
Dance. Last Year, the Oakland County Delegation included 89 people and was one
of the largest delegations in the state!
This year, the cost for Exploration Days will be $185 for
youth participants and $90 for Chaperones. The registration packet will be
posted online on the Oakland County 4-H webpage (www.oakgov.com/msu/4h) under the events
tab. An email and Facebook post will alert 4-H families to its posting around
February 23. Please make sure you use the Oakland County form from our webpage
because it has a couple of extra options. If you would like a hard copy of the
booklet instead of using the online form, you will have to wait until March 8.
Please call and confirm that our office has the physical books before driving
over as they are coming by mail and we cannot predict their exact delivery
date.
We take registration on a 1st come – first serve
basis, so you should bring or mail your completed form and a deposit of $90 to
the 4-H office ASAP! Entry into the statewide system begins on March 13th,
so turn them in before that time for the best chance of getting the classes you
want!
Our office is not able to accept forms with missing
signatures. We will help you check over forms when you come to the office. If you are not already enrolled in 4hOnline, you will need to do so. You will also
need to pay the $20 annual 4-H participation fee if you haven’t done so
already. The last day to register for Exploration Days is April 27.
Exploration Days Mandatory Orientations
Participants and a parent will need to attend one of our
Pre-Exploration Days Participant Meetings. These meetings are MANDATORY, even
if you’ve been to Exploration Days before. Final payment for the program is due
at the orientation meeting the participant attends. Participants will select
their roommates at these orientations. Orientation sessions are booked for the
following dates:
- Wednesday, May 16 (6:00 – 8:00) – MSU Tollgate Farm
Conference Center in Novi
- Thursday, May 17 (6:00 – 8:00) – Springfield Oaks –
Community Room
- Monday, May 21 (3:00 – 5:00) – Executive Office Building in
Waterford
- Monday, May 21 (6:30 – 8:30) – Executive Office Building in
Waterford
Want to Chaperone? We need one same-gendered Chaperone per
10 youth participants. Last year, our delegation had more chaperones than a 1
to 10 ratio, which was great! Only adults who have been through the 4-H
Volunteer Selection Process can apply to be a chaperone. If you’re interested
in being a chaperone, please contact Mary Blumka at blumkama@anr.msu.edu as soon as possible
so we can work through the details.
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Wednesday,
3/7, 6:30-9pm, Springfield Oaks Activity Center
Think spring and come horse around at a fun filled evening of food,
games, and information!
Learn about:
- Oakland County 4-H Horse Camp, 6/17-21/2018 at
Springfield Oaks County Park
- All the 4-H horse programs in Oakland County
available to youth ages 5 and up!
- All about showing your horse or pony (what
classes to enter, how to prepare and what to expect at a horse show & fair)
and
- New leadership opportunities for horse &
pony project members and much more!
Please RSVP to Debbie Morgan at morga194@anr.msu.edu
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The Oakland County Tack Sale is early this year – Saturday, 2/17, 10am-2pm at the Springfield Oaks County Park Activity Center, 12451 Andersonville Road in Davisburg. Oakland County 4-H Horse Council is hosting the tack sale and looks forward to offering affordable, unique and necessary items to our local equestrians. We are looking for new and used vendors and 4-H clubs to join us. Please sign up early – last year we sold out space! Attached is the registration form and must be returned by 2/9/2017.
Set-up will be Saturday, 2/17 at 8am and must be completed by 10am when the doors open to the public!
For more info please contact Debbie Morgan at morga194@anr.msu.edu or 248-347-3860, ext. 279.
 The Livestock Novice/Mentor Program will match cloverbuds (age 5 to 7 as of January 1, 2018) OR 1st/2nd year project members with more experienced livestock project members. Program emphasis will be on education, participation and the development of the youth. A workbook will be provided for the Mentor to reference when working with the Novice and a notebook for the Novice to complete and enter at fair. Together, the Novice and Mentor will decide what show(s,) if any, they will exhibit at. This is a big commitment for the Novice, Mentor and their families.
Cloverbuds age 5-7 as of January 1, 2018 AND 1st or 2nd year (Novice) livestock project members/exhibitors will be eligible to show hogs, lambs, goats, prospect calves, beef/dairy calves in showmanship as beginner projects based on the following:
- Hogs, lambs and goats will be market animals owned and exhibited by an older 4-H teen member (intermediate or senior age division), who will serve as the Mentor to the Novice. When showing hogs, lambs, or goats the Mentor must accompany a cloverbud in the show ring to assist with the animal. Lambs must be on a halter or lead rope that the Novice has a consistent hold of. Novice youth cannot sell their exhibition animals in the auction.
- Calves may be owned by the Novice exhibitor or the Mentor AND the mentor, adult leader or parent must assist cloverbuds in the show ring.
For more information, please contact Debbie Morgan at morga194@anr.msu.edu 248-347-3860, ext. 279.
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 4-H Archery SPIN Club
The deadline to register for the Oakland County 4-H Archery
SPIN Club has been extended to February 5! In this five-week session, youth
will learn the fundamentals of target archery, including range safety and
rules, equipment, and local venues and competitions. The cost for the program
is $30 for members and $50 for non-members. Youth participating in this program
will be eligible to shoot at the SEMI 4-H Target Archery Tournament on March
31, 2018. To register or for more information, visit https://events.anr.msu.edu/archeryspin18/.
For questions, contact Mary Blumka at blumkama@anr.msu.edu.
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 We are looking for cloverbuds and mentors for the 2018 Horse Protégé Program! Experienced mentors are essential (along with gentle, kid-safe horses) in order to provide our cloverbuds with this fantastic opportunity! All cloverbud families and mentors should join us for an informational meeting on February 21st at 7pm in the Community Room at the Fair Office.
For more information, please contact Debbie Morgan at morga194@anr.msu.edu or 248-347-3860, ext. 279.
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 WHAT IS DISCOVERY DAY?
A family event open to the public providing educational hands-on experiences in a friendly atmosphere. Information will be available about joining 4-H and exhibiting at the Oakland County Fair! Every year over 600+ individuals visit 4-H Discovery Day making it one of the most popular 4-H events of the year.
WHO MAKES IT HAPPEN?
We offer 4-H Clubs and other community organizations stalls can run between 1 and 5 tables depending on the activity and the amount of **volunteers that you bring with you. We also have several outdoor spaces available.
HOW DO I SIGN-UP?
Use this form to sign-up your 4-H Club, Oakland County Fair Display, or Community Organization for a space at this year's event held April 28th, 2018(10AM -3PM) at the Springfield Oaks County Park Activity Center and Fairgrounds.
MORE INFO:
For more information about how to get involved please call or e-mail 4-H Program Coordinator Jason Scott 248-858-0892 or jscott@msu.edu.
**Each booth is required to provide its own volunteers, if you think you might need extra help please contact Jason at the 4-H office.
Time for Success
Youth ages 11+ can learn skills to be successful before and
after they land a job. This two-part series offers information on successful
interviewing and explores prioritizing tasks and time and resource management
techniques that can help youth make decisions on the job.
The
Interviewing Skills workshop will take place on Saturday, March 17, and the
Success on the Job program will be held Saturday, April 14. Both sessions are
from 10:00 – Noon at MSU Tollgate Farm and Conference Center’s activity center.
The cost for this program is $10 for 1 session or $15 for both sessions. For
more information or to register visit https://events.anr.msu.edu/TimeForSuccess/.
For questions, contact Mary Blumka at Blumkama@anr.msu.edu
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S.E.M.I. 4-H Target Archery Tournament
Registration for the 2nd annual S.E.M.I. 4-H
Target Archery Tournament is now open! The shoot will take Place on March 31,
2018 at Springfield Oaks Activity Center in Oakland County. The cost is $20 per
participant. Entry will be limited to 4-H members already participating in a
4-H archery program. The deadline to register is March 17, 2018. For more
information, or to register, visit https://events.anr.msu.edu/SEMIShoot18/
. For questions, contact Mary Blumka at blumkama@anr.msu.edu.
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Horse Project Leadership Opportunities!
Counselor roles at horse
camps provide an awesome opportunity to learn and develop skills in effective
communication, problem-solving, conflict management, leadership, teamwork, and
horsemanship safety. Become a counselor
and mentor kids at the Oakland County 4-H Horse Camp and/or Tollgate Beginner
Horse Camps this summer!
If interested in becoming a
counselor at 4-H horse camps, please contact Debbie Morgan, at morga194@anr.msu.edu or
248-347-3860, ext. 279 asap!
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From (L to R) Julie Bates, Martha Lawerence, Mary Keen
If you were unable to attend the 4-H Achievement Awards on January 20th it was an amazing event. While we have many wonderful volunteers these women have made a strong commitment to the 4-H Program in Oakland County and here are just a few of their many accomplishments.
Julie Bates has been involved in 4-H for decades. She has held many titles:
- 4-H mom and grandmother
- 40 year volunteer
- Club leader of the oldest club in Oakland County – Paint Creek Valley 4-H Club
- Horse Camp riding instructor for almost 30 years
- PEP instructor and volunteer for BOH PEP – and the oldest 4-H therapeutic riding program in North America!
- Clinician of so many horse 4-H workshops and clinics for youth – impacting thousands of youth in Oakland County.
Julie is a tireless, devoted, extremely knowledgeable and experienced horsewoman who is always willing to share her expertise and knowledge with youth. She inspires and encourages us all to make a difference in the lives of our youth and I am so very proud to be her friend!
Mary Keen has also been involved with 4-H for decades. Her titles include:
- 4-H mom and grandmother
- Almost 40 year volunteer
- Current club leader of the Davisburg Busy Bees and Oakland Youth Rabbit Cavy Breeders Association 4-H Club
- On the 4-H Rabbit and Cavy advisory council
- 4-H Awards Committee member for over 15 years
- 4-H Exploration Days chaperone
- 4-H Discovery Day corner stone
Mary’s commitment to her 4-Hers is incredible just like her knowledge of rabbits and cavy. Mary’s passion for 4-H is evident in holiday parades, in window displays during national 4-H week, and in the rabbit barn during the Oakland County fair as her clubs are always well represented. The one thing about Mary is that she is great at making sure others receive recognition, but she never seeks it herself. She is a selfless advocate for the youth that she serves and you couldn’t ask for someone who works everyday to Make the Best Better.
Martha Lawrence has also been involved with 4-H Oakland County 4-H for a half century this year! Her titles include:
- Martha is also a 4-H mom and grandmother
- A 50 Year Volunteer
- Current Club leader of the Jayno 4-H Club
- If you have heard of the Culinary Exchange (International Dinner) and Style Revue in Oakland County you can thank Martha for keeping those programs going.
Matha is probably the craftiest person in Oakland County 4-H. Fun fact about Martha is that because of her Janyo 4-H Club still exists even though Janyo Elementary school where they used to meet, does not. Every year at Style Revue you can see Martha’s impact in the garments that the youth walk the red carpet in (If you would like to participate this year’s Style Revue it is May 11th). If you have ever been a part of the Culinary Exchange Dinner Martha made sure as 4-H was transitioning a few years ago that the show would go on. Congratulations Martha and we love you.
It should be no surprise that the 4-H Clubs these ladies represent are some of the most established and enduring institutions in Oakland County 4-H. We are so blessed to have them as a part of our 4-H family. These ladies ARE Homegrown in Oakland County and the deep roots they have established will leave an everlasting legacy on the 4-H Program, but more importantly the legacy of impact in the lives of young people.
THANK YOU
Admission/Dinner is $7.00 in advance $8.00 at the door contact info@oakfair.org for more info.
CAMP SCRAP IS A OAKLAND COUNTY FAIR FUNDRAISER
Registration now open for our Spring Camp Scrap!
Come Scrapbook with us, bring your friends and join us for the weekend or just a day. Learn new techniques, shop, & Create scrap-book memories to last a lifetime. Meet fun people and share new ideas in the relaxed atmosphere of Springfield Oaks County Park.
Saturday Only: 9:00 AM* to Midnight. Cost: $60.00 Join us for a full day and evening of scrapbooking. It will include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. The Silent Auction will take place before dinner.
Friday-Sunday Weekend: 5:00 PM* Friday to 1:30 PM Sunday Cost: $85.00 Join us for three days of round the clock scrapbooking.
Your three days will include non-stop scrap-booking meals, Sunday brunch, snacks, and silent auction. If you are spending the night you can crash and nap on your air mattress, cot, or bendy chairs in the Carousel Room for free. If you want to bring your camper you can camp for the weekend for $36.00, please call the office for details.
Bonus Weekend: 6:00 PM* Thursday to 1:30 PM Sunday. Cost $110.00 Get a head start on your scrapping weekend by joining us on Thursday evening. Your scrap-ping bonus weekend includes non-stop scrapping, meals, Sunday brunch, snacks and silent auction.
Vendors-We are excited to announce that we have a store coming to the Spring Camp Scrap! The Bayview Scrapper from Traverse City will be bringing their store and emboss-er to the Spring Camp Scrap. We are excit-ed to welcome this husband and wife team to our scrap. For more information on their store go to bayviewcrappers.com.
Also returning to our event will be Judy Gill with Creative Memories and Cindy Smith Die Cuts.
See our website Oakfair.org for more information & to register.
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Save the date for the 4-H Robotics Challenge
On March 10-11, Michigan 4-H members from across the state will gather at the Kettunen Center to participate in the 4-H Robotics Challenge.
Open to youth ages 12-16 as either individuals or a team, the event will include LEGO EV3, Junk Drawer Robotics, and VEX real-time challenges.
Registration for the 4-H Robotics Challenge will by available soon and will be due by Feb. 20.
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 Capitol Experience registration now available!
All high school students have the opportunity to register for Michigan 4-H Capitol Experience, an annual four-day conference held in Lansing that focuses on civic engagement and public policy. Attend to experience state government in action and learn how you can influence policy issues.
Each participant will select and research an issue area, with topics ranging from animal agriculture, civil rights, education, technology, and more.
Together, groups draft a bill related to the issue and move the bill through a legislative simulation. While spending time in Lansing, youth will interact with legislators, tour Michigan’s Capitol, discover how policy is made, explore potential politically-related careers and more!
Registration is available at https://events.anr.msu.edu/4HCapEx/ and is due by March 16!
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 World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute now accepting applications!
On May 10, Michigan youth passionate about addressing global food security will gather for the World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute (WFPMIYI).
This life-changing experience offers the next generation of
globally-minded leaders an opportunity to address international challenges through the investigation of new technology, potential academic pursuits, and future careers that will impact food insecurity across the world.
This year, the WFPMIYI will be held in two locations: Michigan State University and the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham. Applications for the institute are due April 1. For more information, visit http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/info/wfpmiyi.
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 In this new Michigan 4-H resource, club leaders can educate youth about the impact media can have on others and themselves. Anything digital can be stored, copied and shared, even if it is only intended to be shared privately.
Teach youth the consequences of their activity online with this new lesson plan that pairs well with other previously created responsible social media usage lessons.
Download your copy at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/resources/4_h_responsible_social_media_activity_online_consequences
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Youth Pork Quality Assurance roll-over information
For many years, the Youth Pork Quality Assurance (YPQA) Plus Program has been the core quality assurance certification program for youth who sell and exhibit their swine, including many
Michigan 4-H’ers. In 2015, it was decided that the YPQA Plus program would be completely
redesigned into an overarching, all-species quality assurance program known as the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Program.
The intended final roll-out date for the YQCA program was January 2018, however, delays in the platform development led to an extension of the existing YPQA Plus program until June 1, 2018. Youth with a current YPQA Plus certification will remain certified until the expiration date has passed; there will not be an extension for youth certifications. YPQA Plus certifications, as well as YQCA certifications, will be accepted by and could be required by processors and certain fairs and livestock exhibitions.
For more information about YPQA rollover, visit http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/youth_pork_quality_assurance_program_rollover_information
4-H Workshops and Events
February 16-17: 4-H Veterinary Science Teen and Adult Leaders Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
This workshop is designed for 4-H teens and adults who are fascinated by animal health and want to explore animal systems. Registration due Feb. 4.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events/4_h_veterinary_science_teen_and_adult_leaders_workshop2
February 17: 4-H Dog Project Leaders and Judges Workshop
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Learn how agility, obedience, rally and showmanship classes are evaluated. Registration due Feb. 9.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events/michigan_4_h_dog_project_leader_and_judges_workshop_1
February 17-18: 4-H Beef, Sheep and Swine Teen and Adult Leaders Workshop
Kettunen Center, Tustin
Take your beef, sheep or swine project to the next level by attending this workshop and learning about animal health, management, care and nutrition. Registration due Feb. 4.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events/4_h_beef_sheep_and_swine_teen_and_adult_leaders_workshop2
February 19: Youth Business Guide to Success: Make the Most of Your Market Livestock Project Workshop
Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center, Frankenmuth
Spend some time learning about the business and entrepreneurial aspects of your livestock project. Register by Feb. 15.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events/youth_business_guide_to_success_make_the_most_of_your_market_livestock_proj
February 24: Michigan 4-H Embryology Staff, Teacher, and Volunteer Training
Grand Traverse County MSU Extension, Traverse City
This training is designed for educators who would like to learn how to implement an embryology program through classroom activities or 4-H SPIN clubs.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events/michigan_4_h_embryology_staff_teacher_and_volunteer_training_grand_traverse
March 9-11: Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference
Kettunen Center, Tustin
Learn about Michigan agriculture, increase knowledge of the dairy industry, and develop life skills!
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events/michigan_4_h_dairy_conference_2
March 17-18: Challenge U 4-H FunFest
Kettunen Center, Tustin
Youth ages 9-13 will learn about food science and healthy living while meeting youth from around the state.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/events/challenge_u_4_h_funfest
For the most up-to-date events listing, go to http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events.
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