Letter to Families, April 2021

3/24/2021

Hello Kent County 4-H Families!

April is the month of Volunteer Recognition, and we would like to send a great big THANK YOU to all of the 4-H volunteers that help make this program such a great one. We ask 4-Hers to personally thank their 4-H leaders during the month of April, with a call or a hand-written note, and let them know how much you appreciate all that they do, and how they’ve made a difference.

As many of you know Peggy Healy was hired as our program assistant back in January. Her time with Kent County 4-H has been restructured a bit, and she is working with our organization on a program by program basis, and her current work has been with our Embryology in the Schools Program. It takes a great deal of time coordinating logistics, providing incubators and brooders, and delivering eggs. She and I have been working together this spring for the first cohort. We provided programming for 50 elementary school classrooms during the first cohort, including Morris ECC, Woodbridge Elem, Welch, Little School Kids Cottage, and Bayhealth Childcare Center. We added webcams as an option to the program, for teachers who were interested in streaming the experience to their students at home. We have another cohort that will take place after spring break. If any 4-H club in interested in bringing embryology activities into your club, please reach out to the office. Furthermore, if anyone is in need of chicks, please let us know. Many schools home the chicks themselves, but we do have chicks turned in every once in a while.

Keeping up with the monthly practice, please be sure to scroll to the end of this message, to see a list of all the important newsletter posts for the month of April. You can click on the links to read the articles. We also encourage everyone to subscribe to the blog, which will send you one automated email every Wednesday with a compilation of all the weeks blog posts. Some items that I would like to point out include: many clubs have been working creatively on litter barrels, and no better time than the month of Earth Day; I cant wait to see them! The window display contest will be held in May and then every year during during early October in conjunction with National 4-H Week. Some other important things happening soon: recognition of seniors, Earth Day (April 22) activity ideas, De 4-H Foundation College Scholarship, County Animal Judging Contests-virtual, Equine Art Contest, Horse Bowl information and Clover Trail Challenge, along with several other items. At this time, we do not have any further information related to the Favorite Foods Contest. Here is the link to the blog: https://sites.udel.edu/kentcountyclover/sample-page/newsletter-announcements/ be sure to subscribe for Wednesday updates.

Now that we are moving into better weather for outdoor activities, there are some clubs who have been holding events outside. This is really great to hear! Archery groups have started meeting and I know there are other 4-H events being planned. We just remind everyone to follow the 4-H Meeting – COVID Guidelines. We want everyone to stay safe so we can continue our path to resume regular activity.

We are planning to have the Kent County 4-H Archery Contest back this year, hosted by Elaine and Scott Webb and awesome volunteers with Peach Blossom 4-H Club. We will share more information soon. Along these lines, we will be organizing an Archery Instructor Training this spring/early summer as well. If you are interested in hearing more about the archery instructor training, please contact Caroline at cadv@udel.edu and let her know you’d like to be added to the list.

The Kent County 4-H Basket Auction committee is also in planning for a fun, in-person event. We are asking every club to consider donating a basket, and encourage your club to assemble your baskets over the next month or two! There is a possibility of a late spring-early summer event. Watch for information to come out soon about this.

It was recently announced that the Kent County 4-H Livestock Show and the New Castle County Livestock Show will both be returning to the fairgrounds this summer, on May 15 and June 5 respectively. There is also a new show hosted by CR FFA, open to 4-H members as well, called the “Summer Sizzle”, and is offering sheep and goat classes. There are many opportunities for practice for youth and for animals, prior to the state fair, consider participating.

A few important comments about camps. We are hopeful that they will be offered in person this summer, this includes overnight camps and day camps. Approval from the University is required for these events to take place. 4-H Staff is planning for in-person events, if and when approval is received. Everyone who applied for a state camp scholarship (State Camp or Environmental Camp) should have received notice in the mail, regarding camp scholarships. With mail delivery uncertain, Caroline will also be emailing the letters next week. Please remember that Kent County Leaders, Kent County Links, and Delaware 4-H Foundation scholarships are only available for the year it is received. Furthermore, all recipients should mail a thank you note to the organization that provided your scholarship. Camp registration information has been shared, and the system will open on April 1.

Regarding the Delaware State Fair, remember that the entry system will open April 1. We do not know what the 4-H entry drop-off process will be, this far out. As soon as we know more, we will share the information. I would like to call your attention to a new class, class 240, that was added for this year. There is special prize money offered by DPH; please consider entering this class when you complete your 4-H entries.
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.
There has also been a great deal of information shared from the Livestock department regarding livestock shows. Please be sure to check out the Delaware State Fair website for tagging dates and YQCA requirements.

Leaders Meeting: April 20
Junior Council Meeting: March 30 then April 27
Links Meeting: May 27

Please contact our office if you have any questions.

Your friend in 4-H,

Kristin

Important Information, Meeting Dates, and Deadlines Listed Below (click on the link for detailed information)

Leader Meeting, Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 7:00 PM

Junior Council Meeting, Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 7:00 PM

Kent County Judging Contests Registration

County Animal Judging Contest- Registration Due May 26th

Kent County Demonstration Contest – May 6, 2021

Updated Guidance for DE 4-H Club Level In-Person Programming

Kent County Photography Contest Results