NC 4-H Outbound Program for 2026

Announcing: 4-H Outbound Exchange Programs for 2026!

Email Caitlin Clineff for more information on how to apply to be a chaperone at nc4-hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

Applications are officially open! Next summer, NC 4-Hers will have the opportunity to travel abroad and experience new cultures and languages in 5 different countries through our partnership with the States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs. Apply by November 1 to start your life-changing journey!

-We will be hosting a meeting for interested youth and parents on Zoom October 7 from 6:30-8:00 PM. Learn program details and hear from participants who went abroad through these programs last year! Register here for the zoom session: https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/Aas5wRIYScu3--wm1iAXtA

-Adults 21+ with 4-H volunteer experience or Cooperative Extension staff members may be eligible to participate as chaperones! Email Caitlin Clineff for more information on how to apply to be a chaperone at nc4-hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu.

-More information and costs for all of the trips can be found on our webpage: https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/youth-3/nc-4-h-international-exchange-program/

-Please note that age is counted as of the date of departure.

Taiwan - July 8 to Aug 7

*Ages 12-18

*Homestay with 1-2 Taiwanese 4-H families 

*Urban exploration in Taipei 

*Host sibling of same age not guaranteed

Argentina - July 11 to Aug 3

*Ages 15-18

*Homestay with an Argentina 4-H family in Córdoba 

*Includes some structured group activities, Spanish lessons, and 4-H events

*Argentina 4-H has two focuses, soccer and orchestra, so it’s recommended that applicants are interested in one of these areas

*Host sibling of same age not guaranteed

South Korea - July 15 to Aug 14

*Ages 12-18

*Homestay with 1-2 Korean 4-H families 

*Urban exploration in Seoul 

*Host sibling of same age not guaranteed

Costa Rica - June 25 to July 24

*Ages 15-18

*Homestay with a Costa Rican 4-S family 

*Sightseeing and cultural excursions in San José 

*Two-day excursion to a national park 

* Host sibling of same age/gender not guaranteed

Japan 4 week - July 8 to Aug 7

*Ages 12-18

*Homestay with a LABO/LEX Japanese family, with a host sibling of similar age and interests

*Attend LABO or LEX Camp 

*Visit LABO or LEX clubs with host family

Japan 8 week - June 10 to Aug 7

*Ages 15-18

*1st Month: Intensive group language-learning program in Tokyo, including cultural excursions in and around Tokyo. Host sibling not guaranteed. 

*2nd Month: All the same components as the Japan 4-week program (see above)

Application Deadline: Nov 1, 2025

Application Links:

Youth Delegate: https://smr.to/p104148

Chaperone: https://smr.to/p104664

Contact State Coordinator Caitlin Clineff at nc4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu if you have any questions!

4-H Goat Show

   Folks the weather prediction for Saturday, September 27 is a little frightful so let's talk about what the plans are.

  If the fair decides to remain open we will be taking in animals for the barn starting at 8 am and that will run through 11 or until everything is full.  We are asking participants with poultry to make sure they arrive prior to 11 am to make sure their birds get blood tested.

Goat weigh in for the show starts at 11 am.  We are aiming to start the show around 2 pm.  Participants need to arrive at gate 7 at the fairgrounds-which is behind the livestock building (3750 Martin Luther King Jr Drive in Lumberton).  Please note this is the plan weather permitting.  If the fair decides to close or delay opening we will determine if there is going to be a goat show on this date or if we will reschedule it for the following Saturday.

Best way for us to communicate is via this blog and our Remind App.  We have set up a 2025 Livestock Show classroom and you can access it at @9fekhc on Remind,  As soon as we know something we will share with everyone.  Our primary concern is for your safety and that of your animals that you are transporting. 

We appreciate your patience with this process.  We can't control Mother Nature, and we need to listen to work with our partners to make sure everything goes smoothly.  We will let you know as soon as we know something.

Thank you for your patience,

Shea Ann

State Fair

 

The NC State Fair is quickly approaching from October 16-26, 2025. We wanted to remind you of the various opportunities you can participate in at the fair.

You can view the premium book and all the competition details online at:
NC State Fair 4-H Competitions

Click the Competition Information Section.

Entry Deadlines:

Please refer to the deadlines listed under each section in the premium book.

For 4-H Crafts, Exhibits, Entomology, Photography, Haybales, etc.:

• Entry Deadline: Sunday, September 15, 2025

• Haybale Decoration Time: Specific times will be allocated.

Exhibit Drop-Off Times:

• Deliver exhibits to the Education Building Saturday, October 11; Sunday, October 12 from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; and Monday, October 13 from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon. • Exhibits released from other fairs will be accepted until 3:00 pm on Monday, October 13 with entry tag from prior fair. Call 919 839 4513 for details.

• Location: Education Building

• Haybale Decorating must be completed on Saturday, October 10 thru Monday, October 13. Location:  Grassy area in between of the Kerr Scott Building and the Administration Offices.

• Pick-Up Date: Monday, October 27, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Please see this section for specifics on when you can bring your items. Ensure you allow enough time to complete your entry process by Noon on the deadline day. We are open the weekend prior to the fair, so please avoid waiting until the last minute.

Competitions:

• County Exhibits: Pre-assigned with one per Extension District. The following counties—Perquimans, Onslow, Orange, Hoke —have been contacted and are working on their booths to represent each district. Must be completed by Sunday - October 12.

• Categories Open to Any 4-H’er:

• 4-H Crafts

• 4-H Photography

• 4-H Entomology

• 4-H Hay Bale Decorating (1 entry per county; submission must be coordinated by the county 4-H agent and registered as the County 4-H Program.

Competition Guidelines

• Competition is open to North Carolina residents only, and youth must be registered in 4-H online.

• Two entries per exhibitor, per Class.

• Entry registration deadline is Sunday, September 15, 2025

• NC Substitute W-9 forms are required to receive prize money.

• Deliver craft exhibits to the Education Building Saturday, October 11; Sunday, October 12 from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm; and Monday, October 13 from 8:00 am - 12:00 noon. • Exhibits released from other fairs will be accepted until 3:00 pm on Monday, October 13, with an entry tag fromthe prior fair.

• General Rules and Regulations of the Fair will govern this department.

• The point system used for judging in each class aids the judges in selecting winners, but is not the sole factor in the awarding of ribbons and placements.

From our Camping System

August 29, 2025 Greetings from NC 4-H Camps! You are receiving this newsletter as a friend, parent, member, alumni, or interested person of our NC 4-H Camps. This is our second edition of our new quarterly newsletter where we share highlights, upcoming events, helpful resources, and stories from our community. Whether you're looking for the latest news or your next camp adventure, we hope this will bring value to your inbox. Thanks for being a part of our journey! 2025 Summer Camp Word Cloud If you could summarize summer camp 2025 in 3 words, what would they be? Responses from Parents/Guardians  Summer 2025 was a success! We had over 2,800 youth join us from all across the state and beyond. We will forever cherish the memories and friendships made this year. Thank you to all the staff, families and youth who made 2025 one of the best summers ever!  View the 2025 NC 4-H Camps Slideshow Take our parent/guardian survey to give us feedback on your child's experience You're invited! Pickin in the Pines Oct. 18, 2025 at Millstone 4-H Camp Join us for fun, celebration and fundraising at Millstone 4-H Camp on October 18 from 3-8pm. This event features 2 live Bluegrass bands, a BBQ dinner, beverages and a silent auction for $50/ticket. Check out all the details here. All proceeds go to provide camp scholarships to youth in need.  Buy Tickets or Become a Sponsor SAVE the DATE! May 2, 2026 On the Dock of the Bay  Join us at the Eastern 4-H Center for the 25-year anniversary celebration and fundraiser On the Dock of the Bay! We're bringing this event back and better than ever to celebrate 25 years of impact on Bulls Bay.  LEARN MORE SAVE the DATE!  May 16, 2026 Betsy's Bash Join us at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center for our biennial celebration and fundraiser Betsy's Bash! Featuring live music, a silent auction, and dinner + dessert, you don't want to miss this great event.  LEARN MORE Did you know that we offer virtual field trips?  Are you an educator looking for engaging virtual content to help your students learn about environmental science? Then take a virtual field trip to our 3 camps to explore coastal ecology, fossils, amphibians, and more! EXPLORE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS Featured Story 2025 Camp Scholarship Program Listen first-hand from campers, 4-H Agents, and staff about the impact summer camp has on our young people. Thank you to our sponsors and donors who make this program possible, including the NC 4-H Development Board, the Duke Energy Foundation, National 4-H Council, Regulator Marine, and more! NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. NC 4-H, 2601 Stinson Dr., Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States Click here to unsubscribe By clicking unsubscribe above, you will unsubscribe from ALL electronic newsletters from this department. If you would like to unsubscribe from specific mailings, please reply to this email and let us know what program you are no longer interested in receiving electronic communications from.

ARTASTIC!

 Have you been crafting, cooking, growing, creating?  Artastic is the event for you!  We are very excited to offer our visual arts contest for 4-H members.  Enter as many items as you like (well at least one per category) and bring them into our office by September 12 at 5 pm.  We will judge your items and then enter them in the fair for you.  You can then pick up your entries at the fair on October 5 at 1 pm.  To be part of this contest you must be actively enrolled in 4-H Online.  To register please click this link or check the app under programs.

4-H Thrive in 25; The Volunteer Conference of Southern States

 

Get ready to recharge, connect, and grow!

The 4-H Volunteer Conference of Southern States invites YOU and your 4-H crew to join us onsite or virtually for 4-H: Thrive in 25! happening October 2-6, 2025. This national conference is your chance to gather with passionate 4-H volunteers and staff from across the country for days packed with inspiration, new ideas, and the energy you need to keep making a difference.

 Who should attend? Any adult 4-H volunteer or staff member eager to learn, share, and rejuvenate!

 Where? Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia OR virtually from wherever you are.

Onsite registration includes lodging (Thursday-Sunday), delicious meals (Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast), and full access to engaging conference activities.

Don’t miss this chance to invest in yourself—and bring your 4-H friends along for the ride!

 Register now and thrive in 2025! Visit www.4hvcoss.com and follow us on social media @4hvcoss for the latest updates.

We can’t wait to see you this fall and THRIVE together!

The 4-H Volunteer Conference of Southern States.

Pickin' In The Pines

 

You're invited to the 2025 fundraiser and celebration Pickin in the Pines at Millstone   4-H Camp on October 18 from 3 to 8 pm!  Don't miss all the fun, BBQ and Bluegrass at this year's Pickin in the Pines event at Millstone 4-H Camp. We are proud to say that, with your help, we have raised funding to send 150+ youth in need to camp since this fundraiser started in 2018 and we want to keep the momentum going.  Join us for a magical evening of food, music, drinks, dance, and friendly gathering in the Pines!  Headlining the event are the fun, North Carolina-based traditional Bluegrass band The Asheville Mountain Boys, with local entertainment from Bluegrass group The Axe Handlers.  Your $50 event ticket includes a BBQ meal, beer/wine for the evening and entertainment from these two first-class Bluegrass acts. You'll find many unique pieces donated by craftsmen and foundations all across North Carolina on sale at our silent auction. Don't miss out on all the fun, food and Bluegrass!  Can't make the event? You can still support Millstone with a donation or by becoming a sponsor here.

Buy Your Tickets