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March 2020

4-H Exploration Days at MSU June 24-26

This MSU pre-college program welcomes youth ages 11-19 to explore their future, try new things and experience college life! During this three-day event, youth will gain confidence and independence through hands-on learning and make friends for a lifetime.

June 24-26, 2020
Michigan State University

What’s it like?

• There’ll be more than 200 session choices held on and off campus. You’ll choose one or two for your three-day stay.
• You’ll live in a Michigan State University dorm and eat in the cafeteria—just like MSU students do.
• Sessions are taught by people who know their stuff, including MSU faculty members, 4-H volunteers and staff members and other experts.
• It’s not all sessions! There’s plenty of time for fun, including the Planetarium, skating, souvenir shopping, exploring, the Dairy Store, tour of the MSU Horse Barn,  basketball—even a great dance Thursday night.

Who Should Attend? Every county has its own procedure for selecting participants and adult chaperones to attend 4-H Exploration Days. To attend the event you must be:

• At least aged 11 by January 1, 2020, or older at the discretion of your county.
• Willing to abide by the Michigan 4-H Youth Code of Conduct and the event rules.

Special Accommodations – People with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodations. Accommodations for people with disabilities may be requested by contacting your local MSU Extension office by May 1, 2020, to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests received after this date will be met when possible.

Costs The fee to participate in 4-H Exploration Days covers meals from Wednesday lunch through Friday lunch, two nights of lodging, all event activities, and a T-shirt.

• $220 for 4-H members and adults
• $240 for youth who are not 4-H members
• $175 for State 4-H Awards Program delegates (includes a $45 awards scholarship)

Registration - Begins March 10 at 9 a.m. All registration information should be turned in to the Oakland County MSU Extension office, typically by the end of April. 

4-H Has Got Talent! Enjoy the amazing talents of 4-H friends new and old from all over Michigan at 4-H’s Got Talent!! Individuals and groups can be nominated (or nominate themselves) in early April to appear in the show. Download the “4‑H’s Got Talent” application or contact the 4‑H staff at your local MSU Extension office.

If you have questions please call 248-858-0889.

Welcome Pontiac Middle School Hype 4-H Club

It is with excitement and pride that we welcome the Pontiac Middle School 4-H Hype club to the Michigan State University-Extension family. The club was created by Pontiac School’s veteran educator Ms. Debra Adams to bring experiential learning to her 6th, 7th and 8th grade cognitively impaired students. Working with recent hire, Ari McCaskill, Urban 4-H program coordinator Ms. Adams has selected 4-H curriculum which engages students while reinforcing positive behavior. In addition, Ms. Adams has applied for the MSUE school-garden mini grant in anticipation of incorporating school garden activities into her class’ 4-H programs. MSUE Oakland County 4-H has renewed a relationship with Wilkinson Middle School in Madison Heights. Ari has been working with faculty to establish a presence within the regional middle school which serves students from varying communities in southeast Oakland County. Ms. Jessica Moffatt, Wilkinson’ art teacher, will sponsor the in-school 4-H club which will act as an elective for their imaginative middle schooler. The club will focus mainly on creative arts and hopefully participate in the 4-H China Art Exchange.

Horse & Pony Spring Round Up and Horse Camp Meeting

Thursday, March, 26, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Springfield Oaks Activity Center

Think spring and come horse around at a fun filled evening of food, games, and information!

Please join us and learn more about -   

• Oakland County 4-H Horse Camp, 6/14-18/2020 at Springfield Oaks County Park
• Tollgate Beginner Horse Day Camps, 7/6-10, 7/20-24, 8/3-7, 8/17-21
• 4-H horse clubs and programs in Oakland County available to youth ages 5 and up!
• Horse Shows and Fair
• Leadership opportunities for horse & pony project members and so much more!

RSVP REQUIRED to Debbie Morgan at morga194@msu.edu by March 23. 

2020 4-H Horse Protégé Program

2020 4-H Horse Protégé Program Informational Meeting Thursday, March 19

We are looking for cloverbuds (ages 5-7*) or beginner 8 and 9 year olds plus the mentors for the 2020 Horse Protégé Program!  Experienced mentors are essential (along with gentle, kid-safe horses) in order to provide our cloverbuds with this fantastic opportunity!  All interested youth, families and mentors should join us for an informational meeting on Thursday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Fair Office, 12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg. 

*Previous 8 year old program participants are eligible!

For more information, please contact Debbie Morgan at morga194@msu.edu or 248-347-3860, ext. 279.

Share your photo and support 4-H with Manna Pro!

From February 1 – April 30, Manna Pro is hosting a contest to build a 4-H picture mosaic online. Those pictures are integrated into tiny pieces to make a larger photo.  At the conclusion of the contest, Manna Pro will be providing the top three state 4-H programs with prizes of $6,000, $3,000, and $1,000. Winners will be determined based on the number of photos uploaded in relation to the state’s total population. 4-H members, supporters, and friends can upload pictures of their pet or animal to Manna Pro’s contest site. In return, they will receive $50 in coupons and help increase their state’s chances at taking home a cash prize! To learn more or participate, visit www.mannapro.com/4h.

Celebrate Money Smart Week with 4-H Money Smarts contests

Money Smart Week is April 4-11 and to celebrate, you can win cash for you and your county 4-H program!  Youth ages 13-19 have the opportunity to participate in the second annual Show Your Money Smarts Contest. During this contest, youth will learn how to use credit wisely through an online challenge. High-scoring youth will be entered into a cash prize drawing for themselves and counties with 10 or more youth participants will be eligible to receive $50 for their county 4-H program. Make sure to register by April 16! Students in fifth through eighth grade also have the opportunity to participate in the Money Smart Kids Essay Contest. In partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Detroit Branch, MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H are asking youth to answer this year’s Money Smart question for a chance to win a $1,000 prize. To participate, youth will share what they know about predatory lenders, why people use them, what the negative consequences are, and how to avoid these types of financial risks. Essays should be 300 words or less and be submitted by March 29. To learn more about both contests, including official rules, registration links and resources for completing the contests, visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/4-h-money-smarts/.

Pay it Forward with JOANN Fabrics

From March 1—April 30, you can support 4-H by visiting your local JOANN store and adding a donation to 4-H at the register. The funds donated will support the 4-H program with 50% going back to local 4-H programming and 20% supporting Michigan 4-H. To find out more information about this donation visit https://bit.ly/38U22Kw.

4-H Events and Workshops

March 7: 2020 Michigan 4-H Dog Project Leader and Youth Workshop
Anthony Hall, East Lansing
This event is for youth, ages 8 to 19, and 4-H dog project leaders to build their knowledge and skill in understanding dog care, management and training topics.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-dog-project-leader-and-youth-workshop

March 14: Michigan 4-H Embryology Staff, Teacher and Volunteer Training
Alcona EMS Station, Harrisville
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.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/michigan-4-h-embryology-staff-teacher-and-volunteer-training-alcona-county 

March 21: Montcalm County Fun Goat Show
Montcalm County Fairgrounds, Greenville
This is a fun and educational goat show for ages five to adult. Also included is a market and fiber hands-on educational class and a goat cart demonstration.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/montcalm-county-fun-goat-show

March 26: Credit Craze - Basics of Credit for Youth
Online webinar
This short one hour interactive webinar will give youth a basic foundation on credit and resources to learn more.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/credit-craze-basics-of-credit-for-youth-march-26

 March 28: Norma Agnew Memorial 4-H Hairy Horse Show
Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, Lansing
This interactive horse show will have judges using microphones and giving on-the-spot feedback to exhibitors. This event is free for all spectators.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/norma-agnew-memorial-4-h-hairy-horse-show 

April 4: 4-H Day at the Red Wings
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Michigan 4-H youth, families and friends are invited to cheer on the Red Wings. For every ticket purchased, $5 will go back to your county 4-H program.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-day-at-the-red-wings

View more 4-H events at https://www.canr.msu.edu/4h/events.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jeffrey W. Dwyer, Interim Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. The name "4-H" and the emblem consisting of a four-leaf clover with stem and the "H" on each leaflet are protected under Title 18 U.S.C. 707.