August 20, 2008
Year End Wrap Up
Each 4-H year seems to go faster and faster. After show day is done the summer shifts into high gear and before I know it, it's time to start getting ready for the new 4-H year. But before we get there we need to work on award applications.
It was a good 4-H year for us with 50 more general projects shown this year than the year before. I hope that many of you take the time to fill out award aps. In fact I have a few turned in already, which I hope is a good sign of things to come.
All award applications for individuals, and club records and nomination forms are due on August 29. I will be splitting them up and sending some of them out for judging the following week, so awards turned in late might not get judged.
Very helpful information about awards is located in the back of your 2008 4-H Handbook. I can't stress enough how important it is to look at that section for award categories and tips.
The September/October newsletter is in the works right now and will be out late next week. Among other things It will have information about premium checks (good news), state fair, and National 4-H Week so be sure to check it out.
Posted by Elaine Craver at 2:12 PM | Permalink |
July 10, 2008
Show Time
The first 2008 4-H Show is this Saturday! Are you ready? General Projects (everything except live animals) will show Saturday July 12 at Central High School. Judging will start at 9 a.m. and go until we get done, which is normally around 11:30. Then we'll have our public speaking contest and fashion revue and announce the state fair delegates and best of show awards.
The Dairy Show will be at the fairgrounds on Monday July 14 at 9:30 a.m. Swine, Poultry, Rabbits, Goats, Dogs & Cats will all show on Tuesday July 15 at the Fairgrounds. Swine will be at 9 a.m., with poultry and rabbits following at 10 and 10:30 then dogs, cats, and goats will be at 11 a.m. 4-H Beef will show at 10 on Thursday July 17 and the 4-H Sheep show will be at 4:30 that afternoon. The 4-H Horse show will be July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Mascoutah.
As you attend your 4-H shows it is important to remember-there is more to 4-H than just showing your projects.
Posted by Elaine Craver at 9:09 AM | Permalink |
May 29, 2008
Let's go camping
Clinton County currently has 14 people registered to go to camp this summer. Seven for Youth Camp and six for Jr. High Camp. At this time there are still openings for both camps, but we are running out of time.
We are still below our county goal of 18 campers (we had 15 last year). I know we can reach this goal. The kids have had a great time at these two camps in the past. We have four local teens serving as camp counselors this year for youth camp, and I will be there helping out too. Plenty of familiar faces to make kids feel more at home.
Don't forget, our local Extension Foundation offers a rebate for 4-H members who attend camps. The amount of rebate depends on which camp, and how many youth from our county attend. If you want more information about either camp please give me a call ASAP 526-4551.
other summer opportunities-just an update: all the cooking schools are full, the Cloverbud session in Germantown is full, there are still openings in the St. Rose Cloverbud session, and for the Fishing Derby.
have a great summer
Posted by Elaine Craver at 3:37 PM | Permalink |
May 2, 2008
Thank You
As you all know, our local 4-H enrollment for the year has come to a close. Each year fewer and fewer people wait until the last minute to re-enroll, making things go much smoother in our office as we update our records and prepare show entry forms. So thank you all who got your enrollment in early this year.
And a HUGE THANK YOU to leaders. This week is National Volunteer Appreication Week. If you see your leader's this week please take a minute to give them a special thank you for the time, energy, experience and emotion they put forth as leaders.
Another Thank you to the families who have opted to get their 4-H newsletter from the web site. Our mailing costs last time around were cut in half, and I am still hearing from more people who would like to be added to the electronic list and taken off the paper mailing list.
And last but not least, thank you for continuing to plug 4-H camp at your club meetings. There have been rumors that the youth and jr. high camps are canceled this year. That is not the case. Both camps are going on as planned. I have 6 from Clinton County registered so far. My goal is 18 so I have a long way to go. Let's keep those camp registrations coming. The deadline is June 1 (but space is very limited for Jr. High Camp and it will probably fill up before the deadline). If you have any questions or need registration information call the office at 526-4551.
have a great weekend, Elaine
Posted by Elaine Craver at 2:44 PM | Permalink |
April 2, 2008
4-H Camp Registration Materials Available
Registration materials are now available for both 4-H Youth Camp and 4-H Jr. High Camp. Call or e-mail today and we'll mail you a registration packet or print your own at home http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/4h/camp/ .
We've had a pretty big group attend both camps the last few years. Let's keep it up. Remember you don't have to be a 4-H member to attend 4-H camps so be sure to invite a friend to go along. But Clinton County 4-H members who attend either camp are eligible for a rebate for a portion of the registration cost. This rebate is offered by the local Extension Foundation. In some cases other financial assistance may also be availble.
If you have any questions about these camp programs or getting registered contact Elaine at 526-4551 or ecraver@uiuc.edu.
Posted by Elaine Craver at 2:27 PM | Permalink |
March 28, 2008
Clinton County 4-H Horse Challenge Announced
Clinton County 4-H members taking the horse project will have an opportunity to participate in the first ever Clinton County 4-H Horse Challenege this spring and summer. Members are encouraged to log their riding time from May 1 to August 8. Completed logs should be submitted to the office by the end of August. Awards will be given out at the Annual Achievement Program to those 4-H'ers who logged the most time. The challenge is also open to 4-H horse parents and leaders.
Members enrolled in the horse project should have a letter and Horse Challenge log in the mail next week.
Good Luck
-Elaine-
Posted by Elaine Craver at 9:17 AM | Permalink |
March 25, 2008
baby chickens in search of 4-H homes
You may have noticed in the March/April 4-H newsletter that we are searching for chicken homes again this spring. We have embryology projects in 6 Clinton County classrooms this year. About double have had in the past few years. So far we have only found homes for the chicks from two classrooms. So we have four more to go.
Twenty four eggs are put in each incubator for hatching. For the most part our classes have had a pretty good hatch rate but there are no guarantees. Each class has a mix of different kinds of chicken eggs so there are no breed guarantees either. These chickens are free, and free is a great way to start any new 4-H project.
To claim a hatching a parent must contact me (sorry kids I won't just take your word for it that mom says you can have a flock of chickens), and you have to take a whole hatching (wether it is 4 chicks or 24 chicks).
The first four hatchings will be available the last week in April (two of those are already taken). The last two hatchings will be available right about the time school gets out.
For more information call me or Stephanie at the office at 526-4551.
note-the free bunnies have both found homes.
Posted by Elaine Craver at 1:31 PM | Permalink |
March 25, 2008
another fun night of baseball for 4-H members
we just got this information this morning. If anyone is interested please let me know. I have the order forms
Join a Fun Night of Baseball
4-H members, alumni, and their families are invited to join in the fun at 4-H Night with The Southern Illinois Miners, on Friday, June 13. The Miners will be playing the Midwest Sliders in a 7:05 p.m. game in Rent One Park, just off I-57,at Marion, IL. Note: Groups of families or county groups that wish to sit together must send their orders in one package.
Two different ticket packages may be purchased: $7.00 for a game ticket only; OR $13.00 for the Perfect Game package (includes ticket, hot dog, soda, and chips). Two youth will be selected to throw out the first pitch of the game. And, another group of 4-H members will lead the 7th inning stretch songs. First pitch youth and the 7th inning stretch leaders will be drawn from the ticket orders submitted.
Gates for the game will open at 6:05 p.m. Youth ticket holders who have picked up their tickets by 6:15 p.m. will be able to go onto the field prior to the game. And, the first 1000 fans in the park will receive a free game program.
Ticket orders must be postmarked by April 21. Tickets will be distributed at the game, near the entrance to the stadium. All tickets are for Reserved seating. All sales final; no refunds. To confirm your tickets, you may call the Williamson County Extension Office at 618-993-3304 after April 25.
Posted by Elaine Craver at 1:24 PM | Permalink |
