Nature Adventures

 

Calling all teachers, remote learners, homeschool families and educators who want to spice up your spring education plan! Registration is open for the Spring 2021 Nature Adventures series! Standards-alignment forthcoming Nature Adventures is a 6-part series of 45-minute educational sessions for the spring semester developed and taught by professional Environmental Educators from North Carolina's premier 4-H Camps. This program is provided for FREE for teachers and families. Check out the session schedule below. All programs are aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (forthcoming) and are presented live over Zoom. Can't make the live event? Register for the recording and go at your own pace! Register an entire class or individual students. LEARN MORE at our website, grab material lists, and review standards alignment This program is free, but requires registration                            REGISTER HERE Giants of the Coast Feb. 22, 1 pm Did you know that one of the largest populations of Black Bears is in eastern North Carolina!? Students will explore the habitat, behavior and ecological niche of this fascinating animal on a virtual field trip to the NC coast. Presented by The Eastern 4-H Center Stories in the Stars Astronomy March 5, 1 pm Students investigate the science behind the solstices and equinoxes, learn about the myths behind constellations, and explore what they can find in the night sky right now. Run, Duck, Hide - Predator/Prey Relationships March 18, 1 pm What does an animal's skull tell us about the food it eats, where it lives and how it thrives? Find out in this exciting investigation of predator and prey relationships. Presented by Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center Winged Wonders April 1, 1 pm In this fascinating and beautiful adventure, students will learn about the butterfly life cycle, pollination, and how to build habitats to support these majestic creatures. Presented by Millstone 4-H Camp Taking Flight - Birds of Prey April 13, 1 pm Students will explore general concepts of physics such as lift, force and aerodynamics with LIVE birds as examples. Students will also learn how physical characteristics of birds impact their habitat and diet. Presented by The Eastern 4-H Center Let's Go on a Night Hike! April 20, 1 pm Students will use their sensory awareness to explore the adaptations nocturnal animals use to live and thrive in darkness. Come explore the night with us! Presented by Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center Connect With Us On Social Media Facebook YouTube

SE 4-H District Winter Fling

 Our first district event of the year is in the books and I must say it was virtually incredible.  The event held over zoom included around 50 youth and adults.  This was a chance to see 4-H members from other counties, take part in workshops, and conduct a little business.

  The event began at one pm sharp.  Youth were split into one of two workshops, then had the chance to take part in the second workshop after.  The two workshops were Love Treats lead by Guillermo Estrada and Yoga by Autumn Apple.

  In the Yoga workshop youth had a chance to learning breathing exercises and some simple yoga poses that were then translated into a yoga version of the 4-H pledge.  Using Menti the youth and adults talked about what they are grateful for and how they express gratefulness.  They also had a chance to talk about wellness and set some wellness goals for themselves.

  Treats of Love was an easy cooking workshop to make treats for loved ones.  They started with no bake peanut butter bars.  That involved crushing pretzel sticks for a crust, peanut butter and melted chocolate layered in an 8x8 baking dish and then slipped into the freezer for 30 minutes before cutting.  Simple Walnut Balls start with crushed graham crackers, crushed walnuts, and a half can of condensed milk that are mixed together.  That mixture was placed in the freezer to harden for about 10 minutes.  When it came out it was rolled into balls that were rolled in cinnamon sugar.  He says it tastes just like cookie dough.  The last recipe was a strawberry shortcake.  After cutting the fresh strawberries and mashing them to a consistency you would like, something just short of jam, it was time to get your layer on.  Using cubes of pound cake and pudding layers were made with cake, strawberries and pudding.  Finishing the top with just a little whipped cream.  If you would like a copy of these easy fun recipes please click this link.

At the end our 4-H members were challenged to define their 4-H experience this year with one word.  Can't wait to see what our 4-H members say.  Thank you to our Robeson County delegation for attending: Brooke Canady, Maggie Love, Kennedi Lyons, Jada McKinnon, Maggie Underwood, Ms. Wendy, and Ms Shea Ann.  It was a great meeting and gave us a chance to meet and hangout with other 4-H members from around the SE District. 



 

Virtual Bee Hotel Build-A-Long!

 On February 27 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, bring some happiness to your backyard native bees with your very own bee hotel! Dr. Elsa Youngsteadt will kick off this event with the biology of native bees and then the expert crafters at the Makerspace will guide us on a build-a-long. We'll end up with more understanding and love of our native bees and a hotel for them to call home this spring.

For the build: You can bring your own materials from a list provided at this link. Or, for those who do not have saws and want to avoid a trip to the hardware store, we have a limited number of pre-cut lumber kits available for purchase, too (shipping to NC and surrounding states only). Kits must be purchased by February 15th (kits are $25).

Registration and more info, here: https://cals.ncsu.edu/applied-ecology/event/bee-hotel-build-a-long/ 

The event is free to attend with registration, open to all, and we welcome anyone who wants to learn about native bees, whether you stick around for the build or not.

Livestock Update

 

Here is an update from our state Livestock specialist.  For more information about Livestock opportunities please click this link 4-H Youth Livestock.

What: East Coast Extravaganza

When: March 6-7, 2021

Where: Eastern Carolina Ag and Education Center, Tarboro

Pig, Goat, Lamb, Heifer, Steer Show. 

What: Skillathon Study Sessions

Who: Youth Ages 8-18

When: Starts on February 1 and we will be weekly through May

Where: Virtually

New this year we will have weekly study materials offered to youth interested in the Skillathon program.  Every Monday we will send out the topics for the week and a guide of what they need to study.  Then on every Thursday afternoon youth will have the opportunity to take a test for their appropriate age division using google forms.  At the end of May we will give awards for the highest test average, most improved scores, etc...  Youth will be required to sign up to receive the weekly information. 

What: Nance Family Meat Goat Leadership Institute

Who: Youth ages 10-18

When:  May 4,11,18, 25

Where: Virtually

This program will offer a great opportunity for youth to learn a wide array about the Meat Goat Institute.  Youth must apply to participate and applications are available on our website.

Build Your Own Moon Phase Clock

 

Looking for a great activity to do at home, or with a class?  This is a really neat STEM activity shared with us by our own Robeson County Planetarium Director Ken Brandt.  The link below will take you to a NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's website.  There are great resources for this and other STEM projects for a variety of age levels.  Check it out!

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/make-a-moon-phases-calendar-and-calculator/ 

Volunteers A New Regional Opportunitity

 

  Volunteers here is an opportunity for you to spread your wings to the regional level without having to attend Rock Eagle.  The 4-H Virtual Volunteer Conversations is a chance for you to network with volunteers, professionals, and specialists from the Southern Region.  The groups will meet quarterly with four different topics.  These training opportunities are free.  You can attend one or multiples, whatever your schedule will allow.  We hope by sharing ideas across state lines we can strengthen and invigorate our local programs.  This will also be available for registration on the 4-H app.

Dates: 01/26, 04/27, 07/27, and 11/30 at 6:00pm CST (7 pm EST).

Register at https://bit.ly/4HVolCall

New 4-H Horse Achievement Awards Program

 

The new NC 4-H Horse Program Achievement Awards incentive is now live and accepting applications.  This is open to all 4-H members ages 8 and up.  

All information/applications, including an instructional video of how to submit applications, can be found on the main 4-H Horse website here:

https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/forms-popular-links/nc-4-h-horse-program-achievement-awards/ 

Applications are due March 1.