Dear 4-H Family,

The following is an email that we recently received from a new 4-H Family. We, of course, were very grateful for the kudos, but we also wanted to share with you the idea that it is so important to remember that 4-H is about setting goals, challenging yourself, being a good sportsman, and learning by doing. It isn't all about winning. There is so much more than that in 4-H!!

My husband, John, took my son, Wesley, to the 4-H projects day yesterday. John was telling me about how impressed he was with the way things went. I thought you would like some feedback from a parent.

John said that when he was a kid, you would drop off your project, it was judged and you went to pick it up later. You won or you lost. Why? You never knew.

He was so impressed with the interview portion of the project. This makes the child actually need to know something about the project and helps eliminate the parents doing the project for the child. It also gives the child a feeling importance... to be "in the spotlight" for a moment and to be acknowledged with the project. Also, knowing that you are going to be quizzed makes each child more apt to study the topic and be prepared.

I like the idea of the child who correctly completes the project gets a ribbon. Each child is competing against himself. "To finish is to win." A blue ribbon is an accomplishment. It tells you that you followed directions, completed the assignment and presented the project. My son earned four blue ribbons. He was ecstatic. He knew that he didn't win the "big stuff" but he was happy for those who did. Last night he said that he knows so much more now and next year he is going to try to win a big ribbon. A goal!

The judges were great. John said that all four that judged Wesley took their time with each child and interviewed them, made suggestions and comments and made the competition into a learning experience. This made Wesley feel important. The man who judged the pigment projects told Wes what he liked and what he didn't like about the painting and told Wes how to improve on his next project. Then he told Wes that he really liked his project and that he had talent. Wesley is on cloud nine. "a real artist liked my work."

Jodi Coss judged the photos and Wesley said that she remembered him from the photography clinic and told him which of his photos she liked and which she didn't and why. That is so great for a professional to take that much time with each child. That kind of feedback is so valuable to a competitor. He is now even more enthused about photography.

We really appreciate this 4-H parent's perspective and hope that as we come upon Fair that everyone takes a moment to think about what 4-H really means to you and what you can get out of it beside a trophy!

Have FUN at the Fair!!

Kim

This site has been designed to help new 4-H leaders learn some of the basics of 4-H. The site was developed by Sheri Siebold, Extension Specialist. It includes information on the 4-H mission, policies, and program implementation. It helps leaders understand the various volunteer roles, and discusses how University of Illinois is organized. All of this training is at your convenience. Visit the website at http://www.urbanext.edu/4horientation/

Check it out now!!

· Girls size 14-16 long sleeved, blue fleece pullover with floral embroidery along the neckline

· Boys Medium Nike sports shorts, black with white stripes on sides

· Boys size 14-16 sleeveless navy blue shirt

· Boys size Large sleeveless shirt with "Wave Warriors Lifeguard Response Team 20" on the front, red with gray stripes on the sides.

·1 disposable camera that's mostly used up!
1 pair of dolfino goggles

·If any of these are your items, please contact the Extension Office ASAP.

We missed a few participants in the State Judging Contest results last month. Ross Simler participated on the Sr. Dairy Judging Team and Jered Simler participated on the Junior Dairy Team. Sorry about that guys and thanks for representing us at State! State Judging Contest Results. We are very proud of our contest participants; they all did an amazing job representing Stephenson County to its fullest potential. Great job!! Results are as follows:

Dairy Individual:

4^th Place Laura Miller

Dairy Quiz Bowl

3^rd Place–Alissa Koester & Ross Simler

Poultry Individual

5^th Place Elaine Martindale

Dairy Contestants:

Kyle Bolen and Jered Simler – Red; Chelsey DeVries, Bailey Grunder, Alissa Koester, Laura Lyford, Laura Miller, and Ross Simler – Blue

Livestock Contestants:

Morgan Curry, Kerstin Curry, Haylee Endress – Blue; Joshua Endress, Ben Thomas, Tyler Thomas–Red

Poultry Contestants:

Mark Bronkema , Melissa Bronkema, Elaine Martindale, Gwendalynn Martindale – Blue

We would like to congratulate the following clubs for their hard work during the month of June.

Pearl Valley Rangers, Snappy Snazzers, and Lena Live Wires will be receiving all the makings for an ice cream sundae party. These clubs were drawn from the 7 1^st place Window Displays for the "June is Dairy Month" promotion. Congratulations!

June Dairy Month Summary Report

Clubs conducting "June is Dairy Month" promotional campaigns are responsible for submitting "Dairy Month Evaluation Forms" to the Extension Office by August 10. Don't forget!

July Birthdays – Oops we missed you last month; hope you had a good one!

Nemah Afzal, Michael Bardell, Rachael Bardell, Ericka Barr, Austin Bower, Mandy Bronkema, Austin Colberg, Grant Curry, Kerstin Curry, Melissa Daniels, Sidney DeVries, David Foley, Emily Gahm, Caleb Gilbertson, Sarah Gilmour, Janessa Hagemann, Mason Hellwig, Maggie Hooper, Don Howe, David Hull, Halee Hull, Sabree Hull, Justin Keister, Brock Keltner, Shane Lobdell, Justin Lott, Kayla Mielke, Cole Miller, Sara Miller, Emily Myers, Nathan Myers, Kirstin Obert, Ashley Quies, Kendalynn Rockey, Joel Ross, Alyssa Schultz, Jered Simler, Jenna Tully, and Olivia Wilkens

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY!

Saaima Afzal, Tori Amodeo, Jake Antos, Patrick Arnold, Cassandra Burmeister, Elizabeth Clay, Sara Earnest, Kalena Foust, Melissa Golz, Jalen Holman, Zowie Kauffman, Logan Kempel, Michael Leverton, Heather Lott, Laura Lyford, Kelsy Miller, Rebecca Moest, Kayla Organ, Allie Person, John Scheider, Ross Simler, Cody Wichman, Lindsay Willson, and Maycee Zettle!

Thank you SO MUCH to the many, many volunteers who helped before, during, and/or after the Ag Breakfast on June 25. Over 3400 people were served breakfast! The volunteer hours involved are HUGE, and we appreciate each and every one who helped in any way! Those who made coffee cakes in advance are also MUCH APPRECIATED! This event could not be possible without all of you!

Thank You,

Barb Curry, Volunteer Chairman

Be sure to save your Cub Food Receipts and old cell phones and printer cartridges (both ink-jet and laser). We can recycle them and turn them into cash! Ask your friends and/or businesses you know to give you their printer cartridges and bring them to the Extension Office. Between all three "recycling efforts", we probably get $500-$600 a year! Every bit helps, and you get a chance to help recycle!

Wanna go on a 15 minute flight with a real pilot? Attend our Day Camp on Friday, August 5!! We start at 9:00 a.m. and we will have fun activities teaching you all you want to know about GPS (Global Positioning Systems). BRING $2.00 and a SACK LUNCH! Then in the afternoon we will head to Albertus Airport and EAA Young Eagles program will sponsor flights with a certified, experienced pilot. Come and participate in the FUN! RSVP by Monday, August 1^st, 2005. Limited space is available so sign up today!

Clip & Save Important Dates:

AUGUST

3Movie Night

4GPS/Flight Day Camp

10 Chicago Trip

12 State Fair Trip

15 Federation Meeting

22-28 STEPHENSON COUNTY FAIR

SEPTEMBER

14Award Application Judging

15Federation Meeting

27 Leader's Meeting 1:30 & 7:00