Loud, Laughs, and Loads of Fun!

                                    

Our first full day of Cloverbud camp was almost too much fun with some learning thrown in.  One of the first things we learned was about lining up for meals.  When your cabin isn't setting the tables you get to line up outside and sing camp songs with the counselors.  We're learning all sorts of new songs and having a great time.

We also learned about flag raising and lowering.  At flag lowering we fold the flag and help read appropriate inspirational sayings as the flag is lowered.  Saying the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H Pledge is part of each day at 4-H camp.  

 
Now for those of you who are wondering what goes on between the flag ceremonies...well there is an awful lot.  We get to go horseback riding, swimming, work out on the archery range, and there is an all time favorite of arts and crafts.  Rest time is built into our schedule and let's not forget all the meals.  There is no reason for anyone to go hungry at camp as there is as much as you can comfortably eat.  

  Now we don't want to spoil it all by sharing all of our experiences right now, some need to wait until we get home.  Wee do want to give a special shout out to our 4-H volunteer at camp who is taking picture to share with you.  For those of you counting down we have one full day and a partial day before coming home....see you then!

On Our Way!

                                

If you know me, you know I love camp.  I went to camp from the time I was eight until I was head counselor when I was a Freshmen in College.  I spent four to five weeks (yes, in a row) each year at camp and could not wait to go back.  Not once in all that time was I homesick.  However, I did have parents who were extremely camp sick.  Thus one of the reasons for this blog, so that our camp parents can peek in and see how much fun their little one, or ones, might be having.  For those of you who are not familiar with our blog, in each post you will find highlighted text such as this, just click on it and it will take you to lots more photos that you can save and download, at no cost.

 

Back to our original post....The Cloverbuds pulled out Sunday morning day and raring to go, with a trailer loaded down and children strapped in.  They were headed to Cloverbud overnight camp at Betsy Jeff Penn in Reidsville, NC.  One the way they made a brief stop in Asheville at Golden Corral for lunch.  Arriving at camp around 2 the campers were met by staff who split them up, helped them unload, to checked in and moved into the cabins.  

Rain showers hit and they group headed to the rec hall for some serious fun.  There were introductions, games, and dancing.  With such a creative and fun staff there was guaranteed fun and smiles for all.  Dinner was a cookout and took place on the ball fields.

•  Of course when they got done there were more games and fun.  Followed by the traditional camp fire!  Everyone got to sit and see the fire while listening to camp fire stories and singing campfire songs.  After campfire it was time for showers and bed!  Only to get up and get back at it in the morning.
•   Please stay tuned to the blog.  Our 4-H Volunteer Annette Hagans is at camp supplying us with photos each night and we will get them uploaded each morning as soon as possible.  

Building Hope, Help, and Cities

                                              

Day Two of 4-H Congress was another new experience for our Robeson Delegation.  After getting up and having breakfast in the dinning hall early in the morning it was time to head back to the McKimmon Center for our opening business meeting and keynote speaker.  Justin Crowe works with the state 4-H program in Tennessee.  He brought a wonderful message to our delegates about moving through and past the bumps in life and continuing to make a difference.  He charged them with going forward and continuing not only their community service work but overall service to others because they never know who they may impact and help shape their life.

After a speech filled with laughter it was time to sit down and through our hands to service.  We had two community service projects going on...some of the delegates were stuffing bears for children who attend Victory Junction Camp.
While others were working on tracing a shoe pattern on denim, their team mates were cutting the traced patterns.  The fabric will be used to make shoes for children in Uganda.  To learn more about this project you can go to www.solehope.com.

After making quick time on these projects it was time for lunch which was on our own. We headed to Pizza Hut where some hungry eyes,lead to full stomachs and a grate fullness that we have refrigerators in our dorm rooms.  

After lunch we headed back to the McKimmon Center for awards and recognition.  After a quick break it was time to get busy.  We broke into groups of eight and sat down to work at creating our own town.  There were elected officials, town names and mottoes.  At the end the group created 3-D models of their community leaders.  They had great fun and enjoyed the activity.

  After all the hard work it was time to head to the dorm to freshen up and then grab a bite to eat before returning to our home away from home in the N.C. State Campus, the McKimmon Center.  During our Power of Youth Assembly we were honored to have 4-H parent and author Jones Loflin speak to us.  He encouraged the youth to find their passion and allow it to be contagious to others to inspire change in the world. 

Then it was time for the state 4-H President, Nathan Barrick gave his farewell speech.  Which was followed by state 4-H officer candidate skits.  After the fun and laughter died down it was time to retire to check out the candidate booths and then dance!  Our delegation mixed it up on the dance floor with the best of them and they rocked down the house.

  Once the dance was over our work was not done.  Once we got back to the dorm Alexus Jones lead the county delegation through the election process.  Although we will not disclose who they voted for, I can say they did a excellent job of casting our counties 17 electoral votes.  Once business was taken care of it was time for bed and to dream about the possibilities ahead for tomorrow.

Going Nuts Over Shooting Sports

                               

Today marked the monthly meeting for the Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club.  The group met at the range in Fairmont and club leader Larry Russ sent this report.

  " First off, thanks to all the members and parents that showed up at our last meeting and stuck it out through the brief periods of rain. For those that did not attend, ya'll missed some really good shooting, especially with the pecans. And everyone was shooting well out at the 40 yard line.

 Even though we did not have an official business meeting we did discuss a little about the shelters. We're hoping to have them up by the end of July.
 Since our next scheduled date to be at the range will be the weekend of the 4th we've decided that our NEXT CLUB MEETING WILL BE the end of July. We will be meeting at the range at 9 am. Looking forward to seeing EVERYONE there."

Let the Change Begin

                                

  Many 4-H members are familiar with Congress.  The mid summer event that incorporates all the year's final programs into one event.  It is the only place that 4-Her's go for leadership training, state presentation competition, and state officer elections all at one time.  However this year everything is changing.

  The first change is the date.  Instead of being held at the end of July the event is now held in mid-June.  Must admit the weather has been much nicer than in previous years.  With the date change came a day change.  Usually Congress is held Monday thru Thursday.  Now it is being held Saturday through Tuesday.  

 

With the date change came a rather large shift in the agenda.  State Presentations which is usually held on the second day of Congress, now kicks off the event.  This year Robeson County had five participants to represent our program to qualify for state competition.  Christian Tice and Tyrick Taylor from the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club competed in presentations.  Jordan McKinnon and Alexus Jones from the Inpirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club competed in Public Speaking.  Rounding out our state competitors was Megan Hurst with the Horsin' Around Animal Science Club and Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardeners 4-H club competing in Presentations.  Our youth competed against youth from around the state in their various categories and when we finished four walked away with silver medals. Congratulations to Christian Tice, in Fruit and Vegetable Use, Tyrick Taylor in Egg Cookery, Jordan McKinnon in Public Speaking, and Megan Hurst in Small and Companion Animals.  What great accomplishments for all our our youth!

  Congress itself didn't actually kick off until 7:30 this evening.  Our Congress delegation is made up of Alexus Jones, Katee Hiller, Megan Hurst, and Michicko Hill.  There were the traditional things such as icebreakers and youth/adult meetings.  But then some of the usual things had an unusual twist.  For example the flag ceremony happened with a video montage, and the honor club tapping had less chaos and candlelight with more video and lasted just a bit longer.  Hopefully encouraging our youth to take part next year.

  The pinnacle of the evening was the officer candidates.  They gave two minute speeches and went through a Q&A session.  10 candidates are vying for 4 top slots which means everything is in the table.  All the youth have multiple years and experiences in 4-H and feel ready to lead us through the next year.  Over the next few days our youth will have the opportunity to interact with the candidates and cast their vote for state officers.  Stay tuned for the developing details.  

4-H Members Receive Fair Scholarships

                           

  And the winner is.....  When two of our 4-H members and their parents were invited to the monthly meeting of the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair they had no idea that they were going to walk away a little richer that night.  "It gives me great joy to make this announcement each year," said Allen Faircloth the President of the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair.  The fair offers a college scholarship each year to a young person who is academically deserving, fills out the appropriate application, and is involved with the actual process of putting the fair together.  "This year I am pleased to announce that not one but three applicants have received a scholarship from our fair; Christopher Bullard, Korina Pittman, and Zach White."
  All three winners and their parents were thrilled about the news and stood up for pictures with President Faircloth, receiving their checks from the fair board.  Christopher Bullard, a long time 4-H member plans to attend UNCP this fall and major in Biology.  Korina Pittman, a member of the Titans 4-H Club and former County Council officer will be attending Livingstone College near Salisbury, North Carolina to study Psychology.  Zach White will be attending East Carolina University and currently plans to major in Business.  All three are members of the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair's Junior Fair Board.
  That wasn't all the news.  "I am also pleased to say we were able to forward two of the applications to the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs (NCAOAF) who just this afternoon informed me that both Korina Pittman and Zach White will be receiving scholarships from our state board as well."  Upon hearing the news Korina and her mother burst into joyful tears and Zach and his parents could not contain their excitement over the news of a second scholarship.
  We would like to congratulate all three recipients on a job well done and wish them well as they head off to college in the fall.
  

Going Pro

                                       

  Tonight marks the third of four 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders' Association meetings.  These meetings are open to all 4-H members, parents, and volunteers in the Robeson County program.  Our officers have worked hard to create theme meetings.

This meeting's theme was careers and professionalism.  Members were asked to come in outfits representing their future career.  We had everything from Doctors to pop singers, lawyers to chefs at the meeting, but before we could get down to the fun we had some business to conduct.

 Our officers went through roll call and club reports.  They handled the updates on programs and gave everyone a heads up on upcoming programming.  Also they introduced Megan Jacobs the Volunteer Services Coordinator with the Robeson County Teen Court Program.  She talked with our youth about the teen court program and how they could make a difference by volunteering.  She left some applications with us in case anyone is interested in becoming a Teen Court Volunteer and would be willing to be trained to do it.  As part of this meeting the group also voted to have the next meeting, in September, at Mr. P's skating rink.  The meeting will start with the election of new officers and after conducting business members will be able to skate.  Both the County Council and the Volunteer Leaders agreed to use their budgets to pay for the election meeting.

After the business meeting it was time to talk careers.  Each of the members got up and talked about their future careers and even talked about how they plan to achieve that goal.  Then Vanessa Moore, Veronica Powell, and Dillon McCartney put together a little skit to show good and bad interview techniques.  Although it was rather humorous, the point of making a good impression sunk in with everyone.

  The next meeting will take place on September 9 beginning at 6:30 pm.