Setting the Bar High and Medaling

                                       

You could feel the tension in the air this morning as our 4-H members and their families loaded up and headed to Mount Olive College to take part in our first ever 4-H South East District Activity Day.  For those of you not familiar with this annual event here is a little background.  Youth compete in different age divisions (9-10, 11-13, and 14-19) in Public Speaking, Presentations (kind of like show and tell), and Entertains.  At the county level they compete against other club members in the county, those who place first and second earn the opportunity to go forward to compete at District Activity Day.  At District the 4-H members are competing against the top winners from 18 counties.  The top winners from this competition will move forward to state which will be held as part of 4-H Congress in June.
  What made this year's event so tense was that it was our first time competing in the new district and we had no idea how it was done in the South East District.  So with lots of practice and dressed to impress our participants moved forward to let the District know that we were there and meant business.  Held at Mount Olive College we took the two hour drive up to practice and get in the right mind set for competition and it seemed to work well for the group.
  In Public speaking we had: Jordan McKinnon (9-10); Michicko Hill, and D'Andre Johnson (11-13); and Alexus Jones (14-19) competing for top awards.  In presentations we had: Christian Tice (11-13) in fruits and vegetables; Tyrik Taylor (11-13) in egg cookery; Megan Hurst (14-18) in small and companion animals; Jaylyn McNair (14-18) in outdoor cookery; Shawndora McNair and Katie Hiller (14-18) in Health and Fitness.  Megan Hurst also represented the county in the talent showcase with her ballet dance. For the volunteers and parents who came it was a full day of running between rooms and trying to catch everyone trying their best.
    After lunch, which was done by the Southeast 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association Members it was time for the more than 200 participants and their families to fill the auditorium for awards.  First up were the first time participants such as D'Andre Johnson, Jordan McKimmon, and Tyrick Taylor receiving their first time buttons.  The the talent participants each received blue ribbons for their efforts in this non competitive demonstration.  then it was time for the competitive categories.  In Public Speaking Michicko Hill took third place, while Jordan McKimmon and Alexus Jones both received Gold medals.  Shawndora McNair received bronze in health and fitness.  Shawndora's brother, Jaylyn McNair received silver in outdoor cookery.  While Christian Tice, Tyrick Taylor, and Megan Hurst all received gold medals in their respective categories.
  After multiple trips to the front to receive medals it was obvious that Robeson County 4-H had left a lasting impression on the South East District.  All the first and second place winners are now eligible to attend State competition which will take place on the N. C. State University Campus June 22.  We had a great time and would like to give a shout out to all our competitors, volunteers and parents who made this incredible day possible.  Job well done Robeson County 4-Hers!

Summer FUN!!!!!!

  That's right summer is almost here and parents are making plans for various camps and day camps.  Robeson County 4-H offers youth a variety of programs based on age. 
  This year we are excited to offer two brand new opportunities.  This first is for youth between the ages of 9-13, it is our Junior Chef Academy.  If you child likes food and cooking this is a day camp opportunity you will not want to miss.  The second event is for teens 14-18.  It is our time travel camp.  Youth will have the opportunity to travel back in time by going to Williamsburg, VA and experiencing 18th century life.  Participants will be shooting and completing a video project as part of this event.
  Of course we have our traditional week long overnight camp at Betsy Jeff Penn and our Cloverbud Day Camp.  Please feel free to check out the information about all of our Summer programs by clicking this link.  You can download our brochure and print it off for your reference.  Should you have any questions please call (910) 671-3276.

EGG-Citing News

Did you hear the little birdies talking around the county?  That's becuase round two of 4-H Embryology is here.  We have teachers in almost 20 classrooms in seven different schools taking part in the second round of this every popular 4-H school enrichment program.  Incubators went out on Monday, eggs are being set today.  Each classroom has a dozen fertile eggs provided by Hatcher Family Farms.  For the next 18 days the students will turn the eggs three times a day (that's why we put x's and o's on the eggs so we turn them all the same amount each time) and watch to make sure the incubator temperature is maintained at 100 degrees.  The week of May 6 we should here real life cheeping coming from all over the county as the eggs hatch and little chickens emerge.  Stay tuned for breaking news on this topic!

Getting a Smart Start on 4-H

  Everywhere you looked at Biggs Park Mall today all you could see were parents, grandparents and children.  They weren't there shopping for clothes, they were shopping for learning opportunities.  Smart Start Day is an annual event that brings youth service providers together to showcase what they provide.  While talking with the parents there is usually some type of activity to keep the youth busy and happy.
  This year the Robeson County 4-H table had a very special activity.  We had 4-H Lego members for the youth to get creative with.  Using ink pads and pencil erasers the youth used a pointillism technique to give their Lego people lots of character.
  Parents had the chance to learn more about the 4-H program and Summer Opportunities that are available for 5-18 year olds.  Smart Start served youth under the age of 5.  That makes 4-H a natural partner as the youth graduated from their program to move into ours.  Both programs concentrate on various learning styles and enjoy having hands on activities to allow youth to discover new skills that will make them successful as they grow up.
  This year almost 500 people attended the annual event.  Besides hands on activities from a multitude of youth organizations there was also face painting, entertainment, and free food given out.  Truman was on hand for photos and the Chik fil-A Cow came through offering high fives to everyone there.  All in all it was a fun day and hopefully we will see one or two of those ageing out of Smart Start who are now old enough to enjoy our 4-H program, this summer.


     

Pine-ing Away for a Basket

Tonight marked the official April meeting for the Dirty Rascal Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club. Club Leader Tanya Underwood kicked off the club meeting in. Official fashion by having Layla Locklear and Tristan Page lead the pledges. Then she got down to serious business by offering shout outs to those who participated in the 4-H Talent Showcase, and those going on to District Activity Day.
Club members took a moment to check out the progress of their herbs in the hydroponic garden. This year the Master Gardeners have chosen not to have a plant sale so the Junior Master Gardeners are exploring other options for herb distribution this year.
After the formal meeting Connie Locklear, Master Gardener and Layla's grandmother, showed us how to make pine needle baskets. She brought some long pine needles from a tree at her house and got everyone started with the project. All they needed were tobacco twine (used for tying up tobacco leaves for curing back in the day), a large eyed needle, and many long leaf pine needles. Mrs. Connie said the hardest part is starting, and she was right. It took two good fold overs and wrapping the folded needles tightly with the tobacco twine to hold the beginning in place. Then she showed us how to add a few needles at a time and start the turning process for the base of our baskets. The key is to make us you continue sly add needles and you pull the twine as tightly as possible as the needles start make a flat circle. It was really cool, and some thing fun to learn. She also showed us some baskets she has made. She said you could use green or brown needles when working.

When we ended the meeting several people took home their projects to continue at home. Tristan finished his, making it a coaster. It was a really neat project.
The next club meeting will be held May 14th at the 4-H Office. If you would like more information about this or other clubs please contact the 4-H Staff at (910) 671-3276.

Getting Right Down to the Mess of it All

I must admit I was a little confused when I saw the All Around All Stars Arts and Crafts 4-H Club meeting reminder e-mail. In it, club leader Jessica Drake told everyone to be dressed to make a mess. Usually that type of language is found in the meeting reminder for the Junior Master Gardeners. So my curiosity was peaked especially when I saw the flower pots all lined up.
It was up to the club members present to paint all the pots and saucers for a community service project coming up in May. The club members could paint any color they wanted and be as creative as they wanted with the pots. Creative they were. It was more than coloring pairings, we saw stripes, and camo paint being applied. Flowers and dots, pearl essence and impressionist painting going full tilt. Polka dots done with fingers, and some sort of drip/swirl technique (jury is still out on that one) that will make each pot unique.
The pots will be sprayed with a clear acrylic before the next meeting. What will go in them? Well you will just have to wait until the next meeting on May 2, to find out for sure. However I did hear the word concrete being used.......hmmmmmmm........stay tuned for more blooming information.

4-H Jeopardy. The Question is Who Won?

 Tonight marked the second 4-H County Council and 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association meeting for 2013.  In an effort to make the evening a little more exciting a game night theme was chosen.  Before the meeting began the County Council officers had fun with the early arrivals as they took part in Mad Libs.  Lets' just say some pretty ugly stories evolved from the placement of random adjectives, nouns, verbs, and adverbs.
  Each club present offered a report with the game theme.  We had reports that included multiple games, were done in clue, bingo, darts, and even Mad Gab.  As we went through the agenda there were reports about all the activities that have occurred since our last meeting in February.  The group also had the opportunity to enjoy performances by Christian Tice and Tyrick Taylor of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club and Jeshaiah Moore of Young Leaders and Doin' It Big 4-H Clubs.  The three were the top point winners from 4-H Entertains and have the opportunity to represent Robeson County at the Southeast 4-H District Activity Day at Mount Olive College.
  Near the end of the meeting the group talked about the theme for the next meeting which they determined would be career oriented.  They are asking all members who attend to dress for their favorite career.  Clubs will be asked to give career oriented club reports, and more fun will be planned with the officers meet in May.
  Of course the coup de gras of this meeting was playing 4-H Jeopardy.  Everyone broke into two groups and answered questions to the best of their ability.  When it came down to it the winner of the game was determined by the last questions which was a double jeopardy.  We did have a special prize for the winning team which they opened with speed and excitement to find they received an iPad and mini iPad....well the April Fool's version of the trendy technology gadgets.
  Our next meeting will be held at the 4-H office on June 3rd.  Don't forget to come as your favorite professional!   See you then.