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Sunday, March 9, 2025
On the Dock of the Bay Update
Saturday, March 8, 2025
4-H Turkey Contest T-Shirt Design Winners
We want to thank all participants in the 2025 YMTS T-shirt Design Contest. What an inspiration to see all the creativity demonstrated by youth from across NC! These young artists did an 'egg'mazing job celebrating turkeys, the NC state fair, youth, and North Carolina in their designs. In fact, this year we picked two honorable mention designs.
Mary & YMTS TeamFriday, March 7, 2025
International 4-H ost Families Needed
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4-H International Exchange - Summer Inbound Program
SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR JAPANESE EXCHANGE DELEGATES!
APPLICATIONS DUE BY APRIL 15
Still making plans for your summer? This year, we have delegations of young people, ages 13-18, plus adult chaperones, from Norway, Costa Rica, and Japan! Each of these wonderful people will need their own host family to stay with–that’s why we need YOU! The groups from Norway and Costa Rica will be here in NC June 25 - July 19, and the Japan group will be here from July 24 through August 17. Special trips and tourism are not required to host a delegate. These young people are here to be members of 4-H families and experience American culture for a month, not to be tourists. There is no fee to participate. Can you help?
We will have a Zoom Information Session about this program on Tuesday, March 18, from 6:30-8:30pm. Please register to attend at this link: https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/
Meet a few of the delegates!:
Erika is a 16-year-old girl from Norway who likes to bake and cook. She also enjoys knitting, drawing, and crafting things. She sings in a youth choir and plays accordion with her twin sister. She loves nature and outdoor activities, like hiking in the mountains, sailing, and playing volleyball. “I want to learn more about the US, make new friends, and improve my English skills. I want to be more independent.”
Vetle is a 17-year-old boy from Norway. He enjoys hiking, hunting, fishing, video games, and table tennis. His other hobbies include: reading, movies, animals, museums, outdoor activities, and painting/drawing.
Tuva is an 18-year-old girl from Norway who enjoys 4-H, spending time with friends, swing and line dancing, soccer, handball, and singing. Other hobbies include: shopping, playing guitar and piano, reading, tv, animals, outdoor activities, and cooking. “I want to experience a new country and get to know a new culture and new people.”
Mitsuki is a 14-year-old girl from Japan. She likes K-Pop and enjoys watching music videos and listening to music. She is also interested in the Korean language. Her favorite school subject is P.E., and she participates in track and field. If possible, she would like to go to an amusement park, cook a meal with her host family, and talk a lot about K-pop (if her host sister likes K-pop too!).
Tomohiro is 15-year-old boy from Japan who aspires to be an actor in Hollywood someday. He enjoys trying new food, hiking, camping, watching movies, playing video games, and watching baseball. He also trains in kendo, a type of Japanese sword fighting. He looks forward to cooking Japanese cuisine for his host family!
Tamaka is a 13-year-old girl from Japan who enjoys drawing, camping, and playing with her dog. She also likes photography, arts and crafts, cooking, video games, and reading books. “I want to make good memories and laugh a lot. So I will talk with my host family a lot, and I will try many different things.”
Ayaka is a 16-year-old girl from Japan. She enjoys photography, camping and the outdoors, arts and crafts, shopping, watching movies and TV, and animals. In the US, she hopes to try new things, walk around the town, play with her host siblings, ride a horse, go to a theme park, make friends, see spectacular views, and play with small children.
Masaki is a 13-year-old boy from Japan. He likes playing video games, sports (running, swimming, basketball, and ping pong), and camping outdoors. He also likes playing the drums. He wants to make lots of friends and communicate in English.
There are many more delegates who need families than the ones listed above! Please contact Caitlin Clineff at nc4-hinternationalprogram@
These delegates are here for a short-term homestay to experience American life. Is your child going to camp this summer? Send your delegate too! Most camp fees can be covered by 4-H and the international partner organization. Take them to the grocery store, let them do chores like feeding the animals, go swimming or play at the park, take them to 4-H meetings! Treat this young person as you would treat your own child. The main requirements are just that the delegate has their own bed, three meals a day, and has adult supervision.
Applications are due by April 15! Visit https://www.states4hexchange.
Explore the world from your own home! For more information, contact State Coordinator Caitlin Clineff at cadavis7@ncsu.edu or 919.515.4759. Follow our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/
Host Family Checklist
__ Host sibling must be same gender and within 3 years of age of the delegate (families with younger or older children can host one of the chaperones!)
__ Provide delegate with own bed (can room with kids of same gender but needs own bed–air mattress is OK)
__ Provide delegate with three meals a day
__ Will have an adult or older child around at all times
__ Friendly, welcoming home
__ Interest in learning about another culture and sharing yours with your new “family member”
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t have an extra bedroom. Does that mean I can’t host?
-Certainly not! Delegates do not expect their own bedroom. They can share with siblings of the same gender. If you don't have an extra bed, an air mattress is perfectly fine!
Why should I host?
-Create friendships with new people, learn about new cultures, learn more about your OWN culture, and make a difference in your family’s lives and the life of another young person.
What do I do with my delegate when they get here?
-Normal, everyday activities! Go shopping, cook dinner, do household chores, go to the park, play games, watch movies, visit friends and family, etc. Trips are allowed in and out-of-state, but it is recommended to keep it to 5 days or less. Trips and special activities are not expected!
My child is going to camp during the homestay, what would the delegate do during this time?
-Send the delegate to camp as well! Camp in different countries is very different so this would be a great learning experience and a fun way to make more friends for the delegate. Camp costs are covered by 4-H and the international partner organization.
How are delegate/host family matches made?
-Delegates are matched to host families based on similarities in interests and personalities, as well as any medical concerns such as allergies. Delegates for the summer program are the same gender and within three years of age of their host sibling. NC 4-H strives to collaborate and work with host families in order to make the best placement possible.
Do the delegates speak English?
-Expect very little English. One of their main goals in coming to the United States is to learn more English. The delegates are usually able to understand more than they can convey. You and your family can also come up with other means of communication such as charades and drawing pictures. Learning to communicate is part of the fun! Chaperones also travel with the delegation and are available 24/7 if you really need assistance with translating.
My kids aren’t the right age. Can I still be involved?
-Yes! There are no age requirements to host an adult chaperone, so it’s a great opportunity for families with young children, no children, or children who have aged out of the program. Chaperones do require their own bedroom, and will need some time to make phone calls to check in with their youth delegates (they will have their own cell phone to make calls). Otherwise, the experience is very much the same as hosting a youth delegate! Introduce them to your community, go shopping, cook together, play games, and have great conversations about culture and family life - similar to having an extended family member for a visit!
Monday, March 3, 2025
4-H Animal Science
4-H Animal Science is the cornerstone of the 4-H program. Youth get the opportunity to raise an animal for show at the fair. In the process they learn about responsibility, record keeping, anatomy of that animal and more. It is a fun project with real world learning opportunities.
This year we are turning the animal science project on its tail so please read the following information carefully.
- All youth taking part in this project must be actively registered in 4-H Online to receive an animal.
- This project is open to all 4-H members ages 5-18. Please note our 5-7 year old Cloverbud division is non competitive.
- Youth must be registered and pay in Eventbrite prior to the deadline.
-Please note the deadline to register and pay for the Turkey project is earlier than all other animals. The deadline for this project will be April 7.
-The deadline to register and pay for all other animals is May 19.
- If completing the turkey project youth will also be required to show at the state turkey show prior or during the state fair.
- Before registering please consider the needs of the animal (cost, pen, feed, outdoor area, predators, fencing, weather, etc.) before registering for this project. Once you register care, food, and other needs will be the responsibility of the family. Also think about vacations and schedules so that you can maintain a steady schedule for your animal in terms of water, feed, exercise, etc.
- There will be a mandatory Animal Science training and animal give-out at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair Grounds on June 21 from 9:30-11:30 am.
- Other in person scheduled visits, video trainings, and possibly in person trainings per species are likely during this process. This will be discussed at the animal science meeting/training/giveaway in June.
- Youth are required to show their animal at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair.
- We recommend the youth start by showing rabbits or chickens as a first project and move up to larger animals.
- Please check the zoning ordinances and if applicable Home Owners Association policies, on raising animals where you live.
-Youth may complete up to 3 different animal projects.
- A project record book will need to be completed and turned in as part of this project. There will be a training on record books and we will offer virtual help in completing the books. Please note that there is a separate competition for record books in January as well that you may turn these books in for. More information will be given about that program during training.
-Youth who turn in animals at the fair to show by the appointed deadline will receive a polo shirt that they can wear in the ring on show day.
-This year there is also separate rabbit and poultry workshops. The rabbit workshop will be April 5th and a separate registration link will be sent to families participating in the rabbit project. The poultry workshop will be held August 23 and a separate registration link will be sent to poultry participants.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made when you register your child, by calling the 4-H office at (910) 671-3276.
If you have any questions please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette at sadejarn@ncsu.edu or Jade McNeill at jade_mcneill@ncsu.edu
Saturday, March 1, 2025
4-H Summer Fun is Open for Member Registration
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Robeson County 4-H is happy to announce our summer programs and activities for 2025. We invite you to join us for a fun and exciting summer of learning. The summer program has activities for all youth between the ages of 5 and 18. Membership in 4-H is not required, however, 4-H members will receive the first opportunity to sign up for programs thru March 30.
On April 1, the program will open to the public for general enrollment. Below is a description of the summer programs available through Robeson County 4-H. You will find descriptions about the programs, the dates, and the costs. There is a minimum number of children who must sign up for some programs, as well as a maximum number on most programs. Unless otherwise indicated, all camps will be held at the 4-H office. We are able to provide these programs at a reasonable cost thanks to funding support from Lumber River United Way.
Enrollment
To register, sign up and pay through Eventbrite. Registration will be handled on a first come, first served basis, and will only be accepted upon receipt of fees. Telephone, electronic, faxed, and mailed registration will not be accepted. Registration will continue until the camps are filled, or one week prior to the start date to make sure we have time to purchase supplies and make final reservations for field trips. All ages for registration are based on the child's 4-H Age which is how old they are on January 1, 2025. Please contact the 4-H office at (910) 671-3276 with any questions.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made when you register your child, by calling the 4-H office at (910)-671-3276 with any questions. We ask once you register, you fill out the paperwork on 4-H Online, if you don't already have an active profile. Youth must be registered in this system prior to attending any 4-H Summer Fun event. If you have questions or problems with registering in 4-H Online please contact Jade McNeill at (910) 671-3276. To register on 4-H Online please go to https://4honline.com. To register for our 4-H Summer Programs please click this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Policies
•ALL FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE UNLESS A CAMP IS FILLED TO CAPACITY OR CANCELED. NECESSARY REFUNDS WILL BE MADE APPROPRIATELY.
•PUNCTUALITY OF ALL PARTICIPANTS IS EXPECTED, PARTICULARLY ON DAYS WHERE FIELD TRIPS ARE SCHEDULED. THE VAN WILL ONLY WAIT 5 MINUTES PAST THE SCHEDULED DEPARTURE TIME. PUNCTUALITY OF PARENTS/ADULTS/GUARDIANS PICKING UP YOUTH FOLLOWING PROGRAMS IS MANDATORY. YOUTH MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE TIME THE PROGRAM ENDS. IF THE 4-H STAFF MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO CARE FOR YOUR CHILD MORE THAN 30 MINUTES BEYOND THE INDICATED PICK-UP TIME, A FEE OF $45 PER 30 MINUTES WILL BE CHARGED.
•ALTHOUGH MANY OF OUR EXPERIENCES SEEM LIKE GREAT FAMILY ACTIVITIES, FAMILY MEMBERS NOT REGISTERED FOR THE PROGRAM CANNOT TRAVEL OR TOUR WITH US DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES.
•IF A CAMP IS FULL, YOU CAN ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST, AND WE WILL CONTACT YOU PRIOR TO THE CAMP IF A SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE.
Summer Opportunities
Etiquette Mini Camp: June 16- 18: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 pm : Ages 10– 18:Cost: $35
Ever sit down and not know which glass is yours? Wonder what fork to use when? Not sure how long is too long to shake someone's hand or how to write a thank you note? This mini-camp will cover all those questions and more. Youth will come dressed to impressed and will have a hands on lunch experience at the elegant dinning room at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst. Cost includes lunches, two snacks, supplies, and field trip transportation.
The deadline to register is June 7.
Limit 15 youth
Junior Chef Day Camp: June 23- 27, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Ages 9 – 13: Cost: $125
Who is hungry? We are excited to offer this farm-to-table camp to our youth again this year. The menu will include youth learning how to cook a variety of styles on a budget and we will look at some budget friendly options. We will also take field trips to learn more about the career opportunities and niche businesses in this growing field. The cost includes lunches, two snacks a day, supplies, and field trips.
The deadline to register is June 16.
Limit 10 youth.
4-H Animal Science Day Camp: July 7- 11, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Ages 9 – 13: Cost: $125
Have a child that loves animals? Maybe they are even thinking of being a veterinarian. This camp will allow them to meet all types of animals from the farm to the woods and even the sea. We will talk animal care, careers, and see about a couple of projects that will help them make a difference for animals in our community. Fee covers lunch, snacks, drinks, supplies, and field trips.
The deadline to register is June 30.
Limit is 12 youth.
Adventure Seeker Day Camp: July 14- 18, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Ages 9 – 13: Cost: $125
Join us for an unforgettable week of adventure and exploration in the great outdoors. This camp will take you to state parks where you will hike scenic trails, visit fascinating museums, and learn about wildlife and ecosystems. Everyday will be an unforgettable adventure in the great outdoors. The fee covers lunch each day, snacks, supplies, and all field trip costs.
The deadline to register is July 7.
Limit 10 youth.
Congress: July 21 - 25: Ages 14 – 18: Cost: $350
4-H Congress is the ultimate teen leadership opportunity for 4-H members. We will spend five days in Raleigh with youth taking part in workshops, cultural opportunities, and social events. Youth will have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, complete community service projects, and just have fun making new friends with their peers. Scholarship opportunities are available for this event based on the 4-H member's participation in 4-H over the past year. That information will be shared with families of eligible youth after District Activity Day.
The deadline to register is July 3.
Limit is 10 youth.
Betsy-Jeff Penn Overnight Camp: July 27 - August 1, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Ages 9 – 14: Cost: $560
For youth interested in a traditional camping experience. Youth will travel to Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center in Reidsville, NC for the week and take part in activities such as archery, rock wall climbing, and swimming. They will also have the opportunity to learn to take care of themselves and make decisions in a safe, nurturing environment. The cost covers all meals, lodging, and transportation. A $150 nonrefundable deposit will reserve your child’s slot.
Limit is 44 youth.
Biotech Day Camp: August 4- August 8, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Ages 9 – 13: Cost: $125
Biotech Day Camp is a fun way to be imersed in all things science. Each day we take a new field trip to experience a different type of science; animal science, chemistry, natural sciences, life science, etc. Youth have the opportunity to visit and explore the fun world of science and learn about different careers in this field. The cost covers all lunch, snacks, and field trip admissions.
Limit is 12 youth.
Cloverbud Day Camp: August 11 - 15, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Ages 5 – 8: Cost: $75
Our Cloverbud day camp is for our youngest members and is meant to help them transition back to school schedules in a fun way. Each day we will have theme days such as Arts and Crafts, Science Day, Cooking day. Our youth will be immersed in fun hands-on activities that will have them accidentally learning along the way. The camp runs from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. The fee covers lunch each day, two snacks a day, and supplies.
The deadline to register is August 4.
Limit is 15 youth.