All posts by Serena

Agent Letter

Agent Letter

Hello 4-H Friends,

Well… who would have thought that going home for two weeks would have turned into a year?? Although we are still working from home, we are finally starting to see light at the end of this long tunnel. (YAY)

I am so thankful for all of you sticking it through with us- and for being so flexible and adaptive to the changes that have been made along the way to provide a safe environment for everyone.

April is Volunteer Recognition Month and we here at the NCC office would like to say a BIG Thank You! to our amazing volunteers who put in countless hours. We are also encouraging 4-H members to personally thank your leaders during the month of April. Send them a personal hand-written note or a phone call to let them know you appreciate everything they do for you!

As more and more information continues to come out in the newsletter (sometimes on a weekly basis), I encourage you to read through all of this message to make sure you are aware of everything posted. I also encourage everyone to subscribe to the newsletter if you have not done so yet.

 

Some exciting things that are coming up are:

litter barrels will be on display at the end of this month, clubs are also working on banners and window displays to be displayed in May.

Other important items are recognition of 4-H Seniors, Earth Day activities, $4 for 4-H, Horse Bowl, Equine Art, Jr. Leader day, Demonstration registration, judging contests and more!

With the nice weather finally arriving, outside activities will begin very soon. Stump Corner 4-H Club is hosting a few Archery days, more information will be coming on that so stay tuned. Kent County Jackpot Show and New Castle County Livestock show entries will be coming out soon, keep an eye out for those plus a new Summer Sizzle for market sheep and goat exhibitors.

 

Summer camps are fast approaching, and we are hoping to hold both overnight and day camps in person this year, depending on approval from the University. Staff is planning for in person events in the hopes that approval will be granted. We are working as hard and fast as we can on this, but we ask for your patience.

Everyone who applied for a day camp, state camp or environmental camp scholarship please note these are to be used this year.

Camp registration opens on April 1st for Environmental and State Camp.

Day camp registration will open shortly- please keep an eye out for an announcement.

 

Delaware State Fair registration opens, April 1st for all exhibitors, enter through the Delaware State Fair exhibitor’s page. Please be make sure you are in the 4-H Section not the Children’s department. There is a new class this year:

Class 240 Poster Promoting Teens to seek Emotional and Mental Health Treatment (when needed)

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is sponsoring a poster contest to promote teens to seek emotional and mental health treatment when needed. Unfortunately, there is oftentimes a stigma associated with mental illness, emotional disturbances, and seeking treatment. Youth and adolescents need to know they can request assistance when dealing with mental illness – and not feel ashamed about it. Young adults should feel comfortable when asking for help when dealing with mental or emotional concerns and should never feel embarrassed.

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact the 4-H office (via email)with any questions or concerns and we hope to see you at a 4-H event soon!

 

Yours in 4-H,

Ms. Kaitlin

Extension Educator, 4-H

kklair@udel.edu

Announcements & Breaking News, Delaware State Fair, Opportunities, State 4-H Events, Summer Events

🎇🎡State Fair Entry Registrations Now Open🎇🎡

State Fair Entries Open at 9 am, April 1

 

See the 2021 Delaware State Fair Newsletter below:

Delaware State Fair Newsletter-2021

 

Please use the below link and register under 4-H.

Please note: We don’t have access to the Fair exhibit registration site and therefore, cannot assist you with registration issues. For questions, please call the Fair directly at 302-398-3269.

https://www.delawarestatefair.com/competitive-exhibits

 

We are also pleased to announce a new class:

Class 240             Poster Promoting Teens to seek Emotional and Mental Health Treatment (when needed)

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is sponsoring a poster contest to promote teens to seek emotional and mental health treatment, when needed.  Unfortunately, there is oftentimes a stigma associated with mental illness, emotional disturbances and seeking treatment. Youth and adolescents need to know they can request assistance when dealing with mental illness – and not feel ashamed about it.  Young adults should feel comfortable when asking for help when dealing with mental or emotional concerns and should never feel embarrassed.

Mental illnesses can affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, or behaviors.  Some of the major types of mental illness are depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder, personality disorders, and eating disorders.  For more information on major types of mental illness, visit:  https://kids.delaware.gov/pbhs/youth-and-teens.shtml

All youth/adolescents ages 11 to 19, are encouraged to submit an original design that helps reduce the stigma associated with seeking treatment for mental illness.

Posters will be evaluated based on the following rules:

1.      Submissions should provide a clear and understandable message in a concise format.

2.      The message portrayed should be easy to read.  Letters and words should be clear and legible.

3.      Language used should be appropriate for age group.

4.      Exhibits should use 14” x 22” poster board, using the entire space on the page.

5.      Any medium or combination of media may be used, including crayons, line drawings, watercolor, paint, etc.

6.      No coloring book or traced drawings.

7.      Computer generated images are acceptable.

8.      Artwork must be the artist’s original creation.

9.      Exhibits must be entered by individuals only.

10.   Do not fold entries.

11.   One cash prize will be awarded by DPH to the first place winner.  A check will be mailed to the winner after the 2021 Delaware State Fair.  The winning exhibit, along with all entries, will be advertised on our Maternal and Child Health website, https://dethrives.com in addition to our other social media platforms.

1st

2nd

3rd
$125.00 Ribbon Ribbon

 

 

Announcements & Breaking News, Club News, County 4-H News, Of Interest

Join the NEW Outdoor Adventures Club!

R

Do you love the outdoors? Do you want to get outside and hike the Delaware State Parks Trail Challenge? Do you want to learn more about the animal and plant life around you? If you answered yes to these questions, then this club is for you. Join the New Castle County Outdoor Adventures Club. This is a county wide club open to all NCC 4-H’ers ages 8 and older.

The first meeting will be held at Lums Pond State Park April 11 at 1 PM.  Meeting location will be sent after registration.

Register HERE

Announcements & Breaking News, County 4-H News, County Events & Contests

Window Display and Banner Contest

This Spring join us in promoting 4-H across New Castle County and show your community all of the fun, exciting and meaningful programs 4-Hers take part in.

Displays must be in place by 5:00pm Monday, May 3 and remain displayed until5:00pm , Saturday, May 8.

Registrations are due to by April 23 to Kaitlin (kklair@udel.edu) or Serena(serenac@udel.edu)

NCC-4H-Window-Display-Info-Reg-2021
Announcements & Breaking News, County Events & Contests, Spring Events

2021 County Level 4-H Animal Judging Contests

 

Compete against your fellow 4-H friends in your county!  The top 10 participants per county will be posted following the event, and will be invited to participate in the State Animal Judging Contests.

Registration is required by Wednesday, May 26, 2021.  Event dates listed below.

Register HERE

Participants may only participate in one time slot per contest.  No more than one contest can be completed at a time.  If you have any questions, please contact Kristin at kristin@udel.edu or (302) 242-8895.

Horse Judging – Tuesday, June 1, 2021 6:00 PM or Thursday, June 3, 2021 4:00 PM

Livestock Judging – Tuesday June 1, 2021 4:00 PM or 6:00 PM

Poultry Judging – Wednesday, June 2, 2021 4:00 PM or Thursday, June 3, 2021 6:00 PM

Dairy Judging – Wednesday, June 2, 2021 4:00 PM or 6:00 PM

Other important notes:

Participants may not do both levels this year.  Active members age 13 and up must complete the Senior level; members 4-H age 8-12 may choose to complete the Junior or Senior level.

All events are virtual. Each contest is offered at two different times, members can only participate one time per contest.

All contests will include two evaluation classes to judge during the session, seniors will be required to complete a set of oral reasons and submit via email before leaving the contest.

These contests will determine 4-Her eligibility to judge these respective contests at the state level.

Contest Contacts:

Horse Judging – Kristin Cook  at kristin@udel.edu

Livestock Judging – Kaitlin Klair  at kklair@udel.edu

Poultry Judging – Jenny Trunfio at jtrunfio@udel.edu

Dairy Judging – Jill Jackson at  jackson@udel.edu

Club Spotlight

Club Spotlight

Peach Blossom

 

The Peach Blossom 4-H Educational Youth Club, established in 2006, is a traditional 4-H Club located in the southwest corner of Kent County. Named after Delaware’s state flower, Peach Blossom has 75 members ages 5 to 19, from Harrington, Felton, Frederica, Greenwood, Lincoln, Camden, Milford, and Houston townships. The Peach Blossom Club meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm in the “4-H Shed” building located at Webb Farm, west of Greenwood. Since May 2020, monthly club meetings have been held via Zoom, with each session embracing a different theme. Some recent theme examples include school-spirit, pajamas, and tie-dye to make gatherings a little more fun. Peach Blossom also hosts monthly Exploring 4-H and Leadership meetings via Zoom. Outdoor monthly club meetings will be planned in the future, conditions permitting.

Peach Blossom Club members focus on many project areas, including archery, clothing, consumer sciences, dairy, fair prep, foods, horse, photography, poultry, livestock, small engines, and woodworking. Youth members are supported and trained by adult Project Team Leaders.

Members also participate in various volunteer community service projects, including coastal cleanups, beach grass plantings, the Pack-a-Purse Project, and assist non-profit organizations including Wreaths Across America, the Food Bank of Delaware, and the Prospect Church Closet. Rather than gathering as a group to do community service activities in 2020-2021, Peach Blossom established a community service focus each month, encouraging member families to participate in their own projects, such as baking a treat or cooking a meal for a family member or neighbor.

The Peach Blossom Club hosts several annual events and looks forward to a time when it will be possible to return to hosting its annual awards, fundraisers, and camp events.

  • The fall Peach Blossom Family Night awards members and recognizes volunteer leaders for their outstanding service. The highlight of Family Night is the project work auction with both a silent and live auction of members’ donations.
  • The February Peach Blossom Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s is an opportunity for members and leaders to serve pancakes and sausages to fundraise money for club activities.
  • Like 4-H Day and State Camps, the May Camp Peach Blossom offers classes, camp songs, people groups, and Council Circle for youth members.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Peach Blossom Club may contact club leader Elaine Webb at peachblossom4h@yahoo.com.

 

healthy living

4th H for Health

April Edition

 

Easter Deviled Eggs

Recipe:

– 12 Large Eggs

– 1/4 cup mayo or miracle whip

– 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

– hot sauce (if desired)

– Salt & Pepper to taste

– 4 drops red food coloring

– 4 drops blue food coloring

– 4 drops green food coloring

– 3 cups water or as desired

 

Preparations:

  1. Place eggs into a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Let eggs boil for 3 minutes; turn off heat, cover pot, and let eggs cook in hot water for at least 20 minutes. Drain and cover eggs with cold water. Peel cooled eggs.
  2. Cut hard-cooked eggs in half lengthwise and remove yolks; mash yolks in a bowl with mayo or miracle whip, salt, black pepper, hot sauce, and dry mustard until smooth.
  3. Place red, green, and blue food coloring into 3 different bowls and add about 1 cup water to each bowl. Steep 8 eggs white halves in each bowl, tinting the eggs whites pink, light blue, and green. If color is too pale, add more coloring to bowls. Drain colored egg whites on paper towels.
  4. Pipe or spoon egg yolk filling into colored egg white halves; cover and chill before serving, at least 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Mental Health – Bonus

With so many things being unknown and schedules still moving around, have you tried taking a minute for yourself and breathing. Try these steps to help refocus yourself! Check out the GEM curriculum for more information.

4-7-8 Breathing:

Sit on shins or cross-legged with a straight back and shoulders relaxed.

  • Inhale gently through your nose while counting to four in your mind.
  • Hold your breath while counting to the number seven in your mind.
  • Exhale completely through the mouth while counting to the number eight.
  • This is one complete cycle
  • Repeat the cycle three more times to yourself.

 

Announcements & Breaking News

$4 FOR 4-H CAMPAIGN

Please be aware that March 29th to April 4th will be our annual $4 for 4-H campaign. We ask for your support of the Delaware 4-H Program and the many 4-H youth members in our state. Join us during this time in donating between March 29th and April 4th to the Delaware 4-H Foundation at the following link:

Donate

Please know donations can be accepted for this campaign for any amount, small or large, and collectively, they will enhance and provide tremendous opportunities to our youth members.

We encourage EVERYONE to join us between March 29th and April 4th to support Delaware 4-H with your donation! Please be sure to share our Facebook and Twitter posts in the upcoming week with all your friends on social media to help spread the message and make others aware of this campaign. Thank you!

Announcements & Breaking News, Opportunities, Scholarships

2021 DE 4-H Foundation Scholarship

Delaware 4-H Foundation announces 2021 scholarship opportunities

 

The Delaware 4-H Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to manage private funds in support of the 4-H youth development program in Delaware.  As an educational organization, the foundation encourages young adults to pursue education and training beyond high school.  In recognition of continued 4-H leadership, funds are available to support one or more scholarships offered for Delaware 4-H members to pursue higher education.

 

To qualify, applicants must have completed five years as a 4-H member, with at least three of those in Delaware.  Recipients must be high school graduates and be enrolled full-time at any two- or four-year institution of higher education for the fall or spring semester of the 2021-2022 academic year.  Applicants may be enrolled in any area of study.  High school seniors will be evaluated separately from matriculated college students. Scholarships will only be awarded once per individual; those not awarded are encouraged to apply again.

 

Scholarship selection will be based upon a written essay, 4-H leadership, 4-H involvement, school/extracurricular activities, community involvement, academic performance, and two letters of reference.  Applications may be downloaded from the Delaware 4-H Foundation website (http://www.delaware4hfoundation.org).  Only current transcript and two (2) letters of reference may be attached.  Incomplete application packages will not be considered.

 

Scholarship recipients will be announced at the Delaware State Fair.  Scholarship checks will be issued to scholarship winners AFTER completion of their first semester.  Awardees are required to submit a transcript from the first completed semester PRIOR to the check being issued.

 

Completed application form, most recent transcript, and two current reference letters are due to the State 4-H Office by May 1, 2021 via the University of Delaware’s Dropbox:

https://pandora.nss.udel.edu/  

 

  1. Click the “Drop-off” button.
  2. Enter your information in box 1.
  3. For Box 2 recipient email, enter: de4h (please note there is NO dash in de4h)
  4. Upload your files in box 3
  5. Click the “drop-off the file” box.

 

You should receive a confirmation from Dropbox. If you do not receive a confirmation within 72 hours, please call the Delaware 4-H Office at 302-831-2509 to verify that the application was received.

 

This scholarship will be announced on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. during the Delaware 4-H Foundation Donor Appreciation Brunch, 4-H Building, Delaware State Fair, Harrington.  No checks will be given out at the Delaware State Fair.

 

No person applying for this scholarship shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age or gender.

 

For more information, please visit the Delaware 4-H Foundation website: http://www.delaware4hfoundation.org.

2021 4-H Foundation Scholarship application

 

Announcements & Breaking News, Of Interest, Opportunities, science

Celebrate Earth Day!

Consider doing something in honor of Earth Day!

Follow the link below to find an activity for your club or an activity that you can do on your own.

Post your photos on Delaware 4-H’s social media accounts, and tag #de4hearthday

Anyone who submits a tagged photo between April 17-24 will be entered in a drawing.

We can’t wait to see the great things Delaware 4-Hers do, to honor our home!

Contact: Kristin Cook, kristin@udel.edu

https://tinkerlab.com/fifty-earth-day-activities/

Announcements & Breaking News, Community Service, Volunteer Opportunities

April is National Volunteer Month! 

Join Delaware 4-H as we pledge our hands to larger service all month long!  There are a variety of ways for our 4-H clubs and families to say “thank you” to their communities.  Check out the Volunteering Page on the Delaware 4-H website for a variety of ideas on how you can help others!  Tag @DE4H in any photos that you post on Social Media, use #4Hgivesback or send your club/family service photos to jackson@udel.edu to post on our 4-H Social Media pages!

Service Project Spotlights

We would also like to spotlight our members for their service activities.  If you have recently completed or are working on a service project, please send a short paragraph about your project along with a photo of you in action to Jill Jackson, jackson@udel.edu.  These spotlights will be featured on our Volunteering Page in the upcoming months!

Operation Christmas Child April Donations – Stuffed Animals
  •  NEW Stuffed Animals small enough to fit in a standard shoebox
  • Animals for all age groups
    • If purchasing for 2-4 year olds, make sure the animal has eyes that are drawn on or made of felt. (No buttons or beads that could be a choking hazard)
Crafting

Craft Corner

 

egg10

 Supplies:

  • Large sized uncooked eggs (as many as you want to do)
  • 100% silk ties (you’ll need 6-7 ties if you want to die a dozen eggs)
  • White cotton fabric (like an old pillow case)
  • String or twisty ties (like the ones from the garbage bags)
  • A large pot
  • Water
  • ¼ cup white vinegar

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut open each tie and remove the lining. Open them up so that they are flat pieces of fabric.

egg1

Step 2: Roughly cut each tie into 7-inch squares (doesn’t have to be a perfect square, just about 7 inches in size). This size fabric will perfectly fit around a large sized egg.

Step 3: Cut the same size pieces out of the old pillow cases.

Step 4: Wrap each egg tightly with the right side of the fabric making contact with the egg (the side with the pattern being most clear is the right side). Use a piece of string to tie the fabric tightly and as smoothly as you can to the egg. The fabric should be as tight and as smooth as you can get it without cracking the egg. The more material that makes flat, direct contact with the egg, the better the dye will transfer.

egg2

 

egg3

Step 5: Once the eggs are wrapped in the silk you are going to wrap them in a piece of the pillowcase material and tie them up the same way.

egg4

Step 6: Place the eggs into a large pot filled with enough water to cover them by 2 inches and ¼ cup vinegar. Bring the water to a boil, lower the flame, and simmer the eggs for 20 minutes.

EGG5

Step 7: Remove the eggs from the pot using tongs and place onto a kitchen towel or paper towel to cool and drain completely. Once they are cooled, remove the fabric using scissors (be careful not to break the eggs).

Agent Letter

Agent Letter

Hello 4-H Friends,

We have had an interesting February when it comes to weather with snow, rain and everything in between. Who else is ready for daylight savings time coming up this month?  Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead on March 14th!

We are gearing up for many things coming your way in the next couple months and this newsletter is on the long side, so please read through it all and check those calendar dates. Restrictions are still held at 25 people or less indoors and 10 or less in homes. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the county office. Foods, Horticulture and Wildlife Judging contest signups are in the newsletter. Times will be assigned. Clothing, wood science and photography will be in April. Younger Member Day will be held on March 27th at the county office. The State 4-H Indoor Archery Championship will be held March 26-28 in Harrington.  Be sure look up those demonstration topics as we look forward to our contest in April and May!

Inclement Weather Policy – If the Christina School District closes for the day, has early dismissal, or cancels after-school activities, then New Castle County 4-H events are cancelled. Weekend 4-H events will be cancelled if the University of Delaware closes or cancels events.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the 4-H office (via email or by calling 302-831-2506 between 8:30- 4:30 on weekdays as we are still working remotely) with any questions or concerns and we hope to see you at a 4-H event soon!

 

Yours in 4-H,

 

Ms. Kaitlin

Extension Educator, 4-H

kklair@udel.edu

 

Announcements & Breaking News, Camps and Overnight Events, State 4-H Events, Summer Events

Important Info on State Camp

Revision to Camp Attendance Policy for Summer 2021 

 
With plans ongoing for an in-person 2021 Delaware 4-H State Camp and Environmental Camp experience, we felt it important to share the following revisions to the attendance policy in light of in-person safety restrictions and compliance with state and university health guidance.   

 

1. Any camper of 4-H age who attended Delaware 4-H State Camp, either virtually or in-person before 2021, is eligible to register for Delaware 4-H State Camp in 2021.

2. Any camper who did not attend Delaware 4-H State Camp prior to 2020 and will be a first-year camper between the ages of 10-12 will be required to register for 4-H State Environmental Camp in 2021 before being able to register for State 4-H Camp in subsequent years.
3. Campers will be notified of their camp enrollment for 2021 once a review is made of past camp attendance.
We strongly encourage online registration beginning April 1 for the best chance of securing a space in camp this summer rather than mailing in the paper registration form (if at all possible). 
If you have any further questions, please contact Melissa in the State Office.

Register ONLINE

2021–Camp Newsletter–Modified camp

2021–State Camp Application

Montly Online Newsletter From New Castle County, Delaware 4-H!