Dear 4-H Organizational Leader:

This has been an incredible 4-H summer already and we are just getting started! As you know we have had several large community service events underway and are now completing! Here is an update:

Shoe Collection: We were challenged to help collect 1200 pairs of shoes in partnership with the McLean County Health Department for a anti-tobacco campaign during the county fair. We collected over 1300 pairs of shoes thanks to many 4-H clubs and the community!

Food Pantry Scavenger Hunt – This event again, A SUCCESS! Over 2000 items were collected and distributed to three pantries including a new pantry in Saybrook, Mt. Pisgah, and the Center of Hope Food Pantry!

4-H Walk for Wishes – We agreed to raise $5000 to adopt a wish of a child with a life threatening disease! We held the Walk for Wishes on this past weekend and with about 60-70 walkers raised over $4800 and matched with other funds raised through t-shirt sales, we surpassed our goal!

The McLean County 4-H Federation has been an outstanding group of young people to adopt and make these community service events happen! I appreciate your support as a 4-H club leader to encourage youth to participate and make a difference in the lives of others throughout McLean County!

4-H Fair is quickly approaching and the time to get registered for events and activities is NOW! Please review items in enclosed packet and get your groups, members or teams registered for fair and pre-fair activities. These activities are a fun way to meet others throughout the county and HAVE FUN!

Looking forward to seeing many of you in the months ahead!

Keep up to date online – Don't forget our website: www.mcleanextension.org for current and up-to-date information!

Have a great summer and don't let it slip by! Enjoy!

- Tina Veal, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

JUNE

19-22 -McLean County Youth @ 4-H Camp

19-22 - Camp Clover - Normal Parks and Recreation -9-12

20 – State Livestock and Dairy Judging

20 – 4-H Show Committee – 7pm

21 – 4-H Federation Interviews

22 – Exploring the Arts in 4-H Art Camp 12-2pm

24 – Livestock Quiz Bowls, Champaign

24 – Operation Military Kids Programming

23-24 – IL 4-H Leadership Convention

26-29 – Camp Clover - Danvers Community Center - 9-12

26 – Federation/Jr. Federation Meeting

29 – Exploring the Arts in 4-H Art Camp 12-2pm

30 – FAIR ENTRIES DUE

JULY

1 – Fair Entries POSTMARKED

4 – OFFICE CLOSED – Holiday

8 – Jr. Federation Car Wash – Auto Zone, Normal

10-13 – Camp Clover - YMCA - 8:45-11am

10-13 – Camp Clover - Hudson Public Library - 1-4pm

10 – Rabbit Tattoo

12 – Food Demo Clinic 7pm

13 – Franklin Park Concert – Ice Cream Social

14 – 4-H Pool Party – Fairview Pool and Aquatic Center

15 – 4-H Softball Tournament

17-20 – Camp Clover - Extension Office - 9-12

17-20 – Camp Clover - Heyworth Public Library - 1-4pm

18 – Royalty Prelims 7:00pm

20 – Share the Fun 7:30pm

24 – Beef Premier 6pm

25 – Royalty Dinner 7pm

26 – Superintendent Dinner – 6:30pm

27 – Beef On Rail 9am

29 – Fair Set Up – 9am (THIS IS A SATURDAY!)

AUGUST

1 – Project Check In – 5-8pm

2-6 – McLean County 4-H Show!

7 – Project Delivery to IL State Fair

10 – IL 4-H Club/Group Awards Due

11-20– Illinois State Fair

14 – McLean County Regional Day

16 – 4-H Records Workshop – 6:30pm

17 – Back to School Party

28 – Federation Meeting – 7pm

31- 4-H RECORDS AND AUDITS DUE

Don't forget fair entries are due no later than June 30^th to the Extension office or postmarked by July 1^st if you plan to exhibit your project at the McLean County 4-H Show. Remember that "due" means at the office no later than 5 p.m. or postmarked July 1^st, 2006.

2006 McLean County 4-H Fair Theme will be

"Got Green?".

McLean County 4-H will be selling advance tickets again this year for the McLean County 4-H Fair! Advance Tickets can be picked up at the Extension office. Grandstand event tickets are also available at the Extension office. Please contact Theresa Chambers for more information.

Want to begin promoting the fair?! Stop by to pick up yard signs to distribute to your 4-H families at your next 4-H meeting!

The 4-H Bicycle Rodeo will be a part of the McLean County 4-H Fair on Saturday, August 5^th. Practice will begin promptly at 9am. First year members are encouraged to attend and will have their bicycles inspected, review safety and project questions, and practice rodeo riding events. The Bicycle Rodeo will begin at 10am for all entered. Bring your own bicycle & helmet.

Be sure to participate in our nightly presentations!

Tuesday - Flag Raising Ceremony

Wednesday - Intro of 4-H Show Committee; Federation Installation of Officers, Royalty Contest, Share the Fun winner, Golden Clover announcement

Sunday - Flag Ceremony & Cool Kids

Come join the McLean County 4-H Federation during the McLean County Fair on Thursday, August 3rd for a dance. It will be held in the Cloverleaf Auditorium from 8-11p.m. This event is sponsored by the McLean County 4-H Federation. Tell 4-H members to bring a friend! 4-H members must wear a wristband for entry! Parents are welcome to attend.

Two State Fair Question & Answer Sessions will be held for the general 4-H project delegates that will attend the IL State Fair. Friday's session is at 4pm in the conference room and Saturday's is at 11:00am in Cloverleaf Auditorium.

Delegate information will be available at those two meetings as well as passes to the State Fair for our county delegates. Please plan to attend one session if you are chosen as a State Fair winner. Delegates will need to complete one page report, waiver form and understand process to check in projects on Sunday, August 6^th from 4:30-6:00pm.

Do you need help with your foods projects? Would like advice on your Food Demo, Food Skill A Thon or have questions about a fair foods project? Mark July 12^th on your calendar and plan to meet with the foods superintendents for help. If you would like to practice your Food Demonstration call the Extension office and speak to Kathy or Meredith to sign up for a 20 minute time slot beginning at 7pm. Your food demonstration will be critiqued and suggestions provided. Anyone needing foods project advice can arrive at 7pm. Please bring a sample of the project for the superintendents to view so a judging clinic can be performed.

The Sundae Booth will return to the 2006 McLean County Fair. The booth will be sponsored by the McLean County 4-H Alumni committee and McLean County 4-H Federation. Forms also available online at www.mcleanextension.org. Make sure to stop and get your sundae at the fair to support

4-H!

Fair Tour Guides will be needed to conduct the fair tours for day cares throughout the week. This is a great opportunity to share with others about the 4-H program and show off all the 4-H exhibits to others. Please sign up to help with Fair Tours on the 4-H Volunteer Form.

Call Randy to schedule a tour time.

We also are seeking an adult volunteer to help man the Fair Tour guide booth at the fair and coordinate and greet day care centers as they arrive. If interested, please contact Randy Lloyd.

McLean County 4-H Federation will again sponsor the 3on3 Basketball Tournament at the county 4-H fair on Friday, August 4^th beginning at noon. Please contact your 4-H leader for registration information.

If you have youth who are planning to spend the night at the 4-H Show they MUST follow the Camping Guidelines found in the fair book.

Be sure to check out all the 4-H Alumni Activities at the McLean County Fair!

• Information Booth in Interstate Center Lobby
• Pie & Yeast Bread Contest
• Husband/Hog Calling Contest
• Ice Cream Sundae Booth
• Fun Day Sunday

See page 13 of the fair book!

The Illinois State Fair will run August 11-20, 2006 in Springfield at the IL State fairgrounds. McLean County Day at the IL State Fair will be held on Sunday, August 14^th! Some projects will be conference judged throughout the week.

This year McLean County will not be represented with a State Fair window display due to timing of the Illinois State Fair. We hope to participate in this activity again in the future!

The Illinois State Fair has a web site for fair schedules, entertainment listings and ticket information – http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/

Check out Heather Miller, 2006 IL County Fair Queen in the header!

State Fair Books can now be downloaded online at http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/premium/ Livestock entries are due to the Extension office by June 23, 2006. If showing livestock, youth must participate in ethics clinic via the Internet (once in a lifetime) by July 1^st. – http://qaec.outreach.uiuc.edu/. If you aren't sure contact us for a list.

Any boy or girl in Illinois who is enrolled as a 4-H member and is at least 10 years old by September 1 of current year may participate in 4-H classes and activities, providing the exhibitor meets the eligibility rules for participation. See new guidelines on page 72 of the fair book.

Attention ALL Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Swine and Horse 4-H members! The 2006 application form is available for the Superior Young Producer activity at the State Fair. Deadline July 1^st to the State Fair Office.

4-H Cloverbud Leaders have received the Cloverbud Courier and fair activity forms for the 2006 Fair. Items included were:

• Club Booth registration
• Flag Raising
• Wild and Wooly Afternoon
• Rocket Launch
• Cloverbud Lypmics

All forms are also available online as well as the current copy of the Cloverbud Courier. We hope to see many Cloverbuds involved at the fair! Contact Theresa Chambers for more information about these events.

4-H members will be hosting an ice cream social fundraiser at the Franklin Park Music Series on the following dates beginning at 6pm:

• July 13^th – McLean County 4-H Federation

4-H will sell ice cream and pies before the Community Concert band begins at 7:00pm. Concerts are open and free to the public and sponsored by Bloomington Parks and Recreation. Franklin Park is located on Chestnut/Walnut /McLean and Prairie Streets in Bloomington.

Looking for an adventure and learning opportunity for your child that is close to home this summer? Then look no further than Camp Clover – coming to a community near you! Camp Clover is an exciting, hands-on learning summer camp for youth ages 8 to 12 – and it is free. Youth will learn more about their community & world, conduct fun science experiments and experience food and nutrition – by eating the snacks that they prepare!

Camp Clover is scheduled for the following dates at these locations:

• June 12-15 - Arrowsmith @ Arrowsmith Community Center - 9-12
• June 19-22 - Normal Parks and Recreation -9-12
• June 26-29 -Danvers @ Danvers Community Center-9-12
• July 10-13 - YMCA - 8:45-11
• July 10-13 - Hudson @ Hudson Public Library - 1-4
• July 17-20 - Extension Office - 9-12
• July 17-20 - Heyworth @ Heyworth Public Library - 1-4

Pre-registration is required. Teen and adult volunteers are also needed to help lead activities and assist in other ways during Camp Clover. To pre-register or volunteer, please contact Camp Clover staff at the Extension office at 309-663-8306.

4-H Pool Party

Friday July 14th

Info included with Fairbook

The Food Pantry Scavenger Hunt is coming to a close! A total of 1,267 items were collected from 6 4-H Clubs! Special Thanks to the 6 4-H Clubs who participated! Your assistance will provide great help for others in our community!

Clubs participating:

• Bloomington Busy Bees
• Hot Shot Leaders
• Saybrook Willing Workers
• Silverleaf Let's Go Ag
• Stanford Silver Stars
• Woodland Clovers

Winners for the 2006 Food Pantry Scavenger Hunt:

1^st Place: Bloomington Busy Bees

2^nd Place: Saybrook Willing Workers

3^rd Place: Silverleaf Let's Go Ag

Items were donated to:

• Saybrook Food Pantry
• Center of Hope Food Pantry
• Mount Pisgah Food Pantry

Great Job! So many will benefit from your collection!

Shoe Collection Results

Thanks to the 19 clubs that participated in the Shoe Collection for the McLean County Health Department! We were extremely pleased with the turnout of shoes for this activity! The McLean County Health Department will utilize these shoes for a display during the county fair. Be sure to check it out!

1^st Place: Learn & Lead - 167 pairs

2^nd Place: Stanford Silver Stars – 137 pairs

3^rd Place: Olympia Pacesetters 74 pairs

We counted on other groups to assist us with collection as well by placing collection bins in their businesses. Special Thanks to the following locations:

· Chalk Preschool of Bloomington: 300 pairs of shoes

· Children's Discovery Museum: 35 pairs of shoes

· Bloomington Public Library: 66 pairs of shoes

· University of Illinois Extension: 109 pairs of shoes

Thanks to all the clubs that participated in the 4-H Walk for Wishes! We have reached our goal to Adopt A Wish of a Child! Final tally of donations are being tabulated and will be announced.

Congratulations to the following for winning Top Individual Prizes:

5-7 Year Olds – Erin Morphey

Included: Teddy, Set, Go Bear, Chuckie Cheese Tokens, ProPutt Family Fun Center - $30.00 gift certificate, McDonalds value meal

8-10 Year Olds – Sam Schuler, Space Age Pioneers

Included: Bicycle and Helmet and McDonalds value meal

11-14 Year Olds – Anna Schwenk, Home Spun

Included: DVD Player, Movie, McDonalds value meal

15-18 Year Olds – Beth Bliese, Home Spun

Included: MP3 Player (value $100), McDonalds value meal

Adult Prize Package 1 – Susan Doyle, Bloomington Busy Bees

Included: McDonalds value meal, Shakespeare Festival - 2 Tickets in Gold Section – good for any of the 3 shows., Carlos O' Kellys - $20 gift certificate, Preferred Automotive - 1 oil change, Farm Bureau - Meat Gift Certificate

Adult Prize Package 2 – Kathi Miller, Downs Top Notchers

Included: Doubletree Hotel – a night stay and breakfast for two, Farm Bureau - Meat Gift Certificate , Potbelly - 2 gift Certificates, Cold Stone Creamery – coupons, Preferred Automotive - 1 oil change

GET READY TO TEE UP FOR 4-H & FFA
1st Farm Credit Services and Farm Credit Services of Illinois will be hosting the first annual "Blue & Green Scramble" golf outing and silent auction at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington on August 9, 2006. Proceeds from the outing with be split between Illinois Foundation FFA and the Illinois 4-H Foundation. 4-H and FFA will be working together to secure 36 golf team foursomes, 18 hole sponsors, and a variety of silent auction sponsors. For more information, contact the Illinois 4-H Foundation at 4H@aces.uiuc.edu.

The 4th Annual Illinois 4-H Family Picnic will be held during the 2006 Illinois State Fair on Saturday, August 12th on the Director of Agriculture's Lawn at 6pm. All 4-H families and friends are invited to participate. Pre-dinner activities are being organized for the whole family to enjoy. The Illinois 4-H Family picnic is hosted by the Illinois 4-H Foundation. For more information, contact the foundation at 217.333.9295 or at 4H@aces.uiuc.edu.

It's time to share what your 4-H group has been doing the past year and complete the Illinois 4-H Club/Group Report Form (90231)! Forms ask for information on a specific club/group project, goals set and met, and the learning that took place over the past year. Clubs may submit forms for state 4-H award consideration via their local Extension offices. Club members should have an integral part in completing the form and a youth contact signature is requested.

State 4-H Award recognition is provided for the top ten clubs/groups in each program category, provided the minimum number of points are awarded. Recognition in 2003 included a club patch, certificate, and a cash award.

The county deadline will be August 10^th to the Extension office for signatures and approval. Forms are available through your local Extension office or the Illinois 4-H web site: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/opps/90231.doc.

North Central Regional Volunteer Forum

Mark your Calendars!

October 13-14, 2006

Rochester, Minnesota

Registration Information is now available online at

http://www.mn4h.org/NCR-VF/

Early Bird Registration due 8/01/06 - $210

Regular Registration due 09/01/06 – $235

Late Registration due 09/15/06 - $260

Online Registration Available!

Leaders must turn in registration form and check to Tina Veal.

Ten Commandments for Parents of Youngsters Showing Livestock

1. Thou shalt not feed, train and care for the animal for thou art trying to teach the child responsibility.

2. Thou shalt forgive the child for making mistakes in the show ring for thou hast made mistakes too.

3. Thou shalt not get mad when the child forgets items in the showbox, for one day thou might forget the showbox.

4. Thou shalt help the show management for they are doing a job that thou would not want to do.

5. Thou shalt see that thy child is on time for all show activities for thou would not want to wait on another.

6. Thou shalt make sure thy child has animals entered and registration papers in order by the designated time.

7. Thou shalt teach thy child that winning a blue ribbon is a desirable goal but making friends along the way is a more worthy goal.

8. Thou shalt not complain about the judge for it is his opinion that has been sought.

9. Thou shalt remember that livestock projects are teaching projects, not necessarily money-making projects.

10. Thou shalt remember that the livestock project is a family project that should be enjoyed and supported by the entire family.

What's In Your 4-H Pledge?

I pledge my head to ... and my health to better living, to get more blue ribbons at the county fair, and to win a state fair trip.

While that line isn't in our pledge, is it the underlying message we give kids? What do we tell kids are the reasons we do things in 4-H? Is it to win awards and money? A girl I knew received a red ribbon on her pig one year at the fair. She and her parents were honestly thrilled with the experience she had in the project and with what they had learned as a family. Their enthusiasm was damped by the condolences offered by an auction committee member who said it was "too bad about the red ribbon. Can't be in the auction without a blue." To this person, the purpose of a livestock project was to get in the auction. What a contrast.

If winning awards is our motivation, we better step back and think about what we are doing to kids. Recognition is important but awards are perhaps the least important form of recognition. Employers want self-directed employees-people who know what to do and do it because it is important. People who draw recognition from the quality and importance of their work are more valued in the workplace than are employees who yearn for awards.

Our pledge says we do our work for our families, our clubs, our communities, our country and our world. What does this say about why we do what we do and how we do it? How do we encourage kids to live the pledge?

Source: Eric Vogel, Kandiyohi County Extension Educator

http://www.extension.umn.edu/cluster/cluster13/4H/4hPledge.html

The Important Things Are Not Ribbons

There once was a boy won ribbons, mostly blue
Came home from the fair with a big trophy too,
With a voice glad and proud he said to his Dad,
"Tis the best year that I've ever had."
Said his very wise Dad, "Son, I'd like to hear,
Why you think that this was such a very fine year."
"Why Dad, you well know all the prizes I've won;
How I've come out on top in most things I've done.
"Just look at the ribbons that hang on my wall,
And think of the money I've made since last fall
From premium checks and a big auction price
You can't help but think cash and ribbons are nice."
But the man said, "My son you're not thinking right.
Blue ribbons, 'tis true are better than white:
But ribbons will fade, and trophies grow old,
Money's soon spent and fame soon grows old
"The important things son are not ribbons or pins,
And sometimes it's really the loser who wins;
Now here are the things most important; it's true
Your 4-H experience has accomplished for you.
You've seen how a business meeting is run.
This knowledge will help you in years to come.
You've conquered the fear of addressing a crowd,
You've learned how to stand up and talk nice and loud."
Patience you've learned in your projects too,
As well as your skills that will always help you.
You've learned the fine feeling it gives you to lend
A glad helping hand to a stranger or friend.
"You've learned to cooperate with majority rule,
To give in with grace and not be a fool,
Who must always have his very own way,
Be in club work, in school or play."
You've leamed how to lose without making a "beef"
You know the judge judges to his best belief
You learned how to win without boasting too loud,
A kid can lose friends if he's overly proud."
"Those are the things most important to you.
You'll remember and use them all your life through
They'll help you become a mighty fine man,
They'll do more for you than a prize ever can."