County Updates – August/September 2015
Delaware State Fair
Thank you to everyone who participated in the State Fair. Whether you entered projects, help set up or take down the 4-H building, participated in contests or rode the Float, we appreciate all you did to make the Fair a success! Click here for a full list of Fair contest results.
County Record Books – Due August 24
It’s that time of year when County Record Books are due. All books are due to the office by 4 pm on Monday, August 24. Please remember that Leaders will need to review and sign the Record Books before they are turned in to the 4-H Office. Call the 4-H Office with any questions.
NEW RE-ENROLLMENT AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION COMING SOON
Sussex County will offer registration nights in September. Dates TBA
Diamond Clover Final Reports
Diamond Clover Final Reports for the 2014-2015 4-H year are due to the 4-H office by Monday, September 14. These forms can be found on the Diamond Clover page on the Delaware 4-H website.
September Meetings at the 4-H Office
Monday, September 14
- Links – 6:00 pm
- Council – 7:00 pm
- Leaders – 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 16
- Dairy Club – 6:30 pm
Robotics Club
Starting in September, The Robotics Club will meet the 4th Friday of each month at the REC Annex.
Achievement Recognition Event – October 4, 2015
Elbert N. & Ann V. Carvel Research & Education Center
Awards Presentation: 2:00 pm
The Achievement Recognition Event is an opportunity to applaud 4-H members who excelled in project work, leadership, citizenship, judging, and achievement. On Sunday, October 4, Sussex 4-H will present awards and scholarships to these outstanding youth! This year, we will present a few new and exciting awards, so please plan to attend!
The awards and recognition presentations begin at 2:00 pm in Rooms 1 and 2. We will also have a brief intermission of desserts and snacks. Families attending the awards are asked to bring a dessert or snack (to serve at least 10 people). Junior Council will provide the paper products.
Please RSVP the family and number of people attending to Tammy Schirmer at 856-2585 ext. 544 or email: tammys@udel.edu .
4-H Science Saturdays
4-H and Dow are sponsoring four more Science Saturday workshops this fall for youth ages 8-12. Each event is from 9am-12noon. The dates, themes, and locations are as follows:
September 5th – Entomology and Habitat Conservation: “Project Butterfly WINGS” – NCC 4-H Office
October 3rd – Geocaching: “Treasure Hunt!” – White Clay Creek State Park
November 7th – Wetlands and Waterfowl Biology: “Migrate with Us!” – Mallard Lodge, Smyrna, DE
December 5th – Food Science and Chemistry: “Be the Food Scientist” – NCC 4-H Office
Each event is limited to 30 participants, so individuals should register as soon as possible to reserve their spot. Participants do not have to be 4-Hers to attend. The registration form, required health/code of conduct form, and event flyer are attached.
For more information, contact the New Castle County 4-H Office at (302)831-8965.
Delaware 4-H Foundation and United Way
The Delaware 4-H Foundation is not a United Way agency, but is eligible to receive write-in contributions as a non-profit organization. If you and other 4-H friends and supporters would like to designate your United Way contribution to 4-H, please complete the write-in account section of the form with the number 9020 and Delaware 4-H Foundation. Funds received in this manner become part of the general contributions account and are used where needed. The 4-H Foundation usually receives a list early in the year indicating all money pledged to 4-H. All contributions will be acknowledged by the Delaware 4-H Foundation when United Way notifies us of the pledge. The write-in option is only available through work place giving. We appreciate your continued support of 4-H!
The State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (SECC)
This is an annual fund-raising drive approved by the State of Delaware. Each year state employees raise thousands of dollars through the SECC that benefits many local non-profit charitable organizations. These charities fight disease, make life more meaningful for the young and old, help the impoverished, and train people to become self-sufficient. By promoting and supporting fund raising through the employee focused, cost-efficient SECC, state employees provide the opportunity to improve the quality of life of all Delawareans. This year state employees will again have the option of choosing the Delaware 4-H Foundation, as one of the charities that are eligible as part of this campaign. Many 4-H families contribute through this campaign. The Delaware 4-H Foundation in turn supplies funds to support camp scholarships, awards in each county, and trips to Club Congress, National 4-H Conference, the National 4-H Engineering Event and more. Consider supporting the program that supports your children.
Delaware State Fair Jr. Board Now Accepting Applications
Applications accompanied by two letters of recommendation are being accepted through October 2, 2015 for six open positions on the 12 member DSF Jr. Board. This opportunity is available to youth age 16-21 (as of 10/31/15) and is a two year term. Members are required to contribute a minimum of 30 volunteer hours before and during the Fair. The purpose of the Jr. Board is to develop leadership and interpersonal skills as well as expose youth to the many facets of the Delaware State Fair. A brief interview to take place mid October is required. An application can be obtained from the Delaware State Fair Web site http://www.delawarestatefair.com/p/info/about-us/204 or by calling the DSF office at 302-398-3269.
Registration now open for 2015 Delaware Coastal Cleanup
Trash on our beaches and in our waterways isn’t just unsightly – it’s also potentially dangerous to marine life and in some cases harmful to water quality. But, like the 1,900 volunteers of all ages who joined in in Delaware’s 2013 beach cleanup, you can help make a difference in Delaware by signing up for the 29th annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. In case of severe weather, rain date will be Saturday, Sept. 26.
To ensure each site has enough gloves, trash bags and other supplies, preregistration is strongly encouraged. To preregister, please click here.
To preregister groups of 10 or more, or for specific site information, please contact the zone captain in your area:
– Delaware State Parks – Karen Minner, karen.minner@state.de.us
– Sussex County Beaches – Jennifer Luoma, jennifer.luoma@state.de.us
For participants under the age of 18, download the required parental consent form here.
To learn more about the coastal cleanup, click this video link on DNREC’s YouTube Channel:
Introduction to Delaware’s Coastal Cleanup video
For general information about the 2015 Delaware Coastal Cleanup, please contact coordinator Joanna Wilson at 302-739-9902, or email joanna.wilson@state.de.us.
PUMPKIN CONTEST – OCTOBER 17 AT REDDEN LODGE – GEORGETOWN, DE
Believe it or not, it’s time to start planning how you may want to decorate your pumpkin or gourd for this year’s Pumpkin Contest. Sussex County Links members are planning a fun evening. While your pumpkin is being judged, 4-H’ers can participate in games, songs, activities, and enjoy refreshments. Expect to see the new activities from last year plus more fun entertainment. Ribbons and prizes are awarded. Winners are announced that evening and then members are asked to take their pumpkin/gourd to a nursing home, hospital, shut-in, or school for others to enjoy.
*Look for more information on this event in the October newsletter
Diamond Clover Award – Intent Forms DUE November 25
Delaware 4-H members are eligible to participate in the Diamond Clover Award program. Delaware 4-H adopted the Diamond Clover Award in 2011 from a program used in Maryland and Nebraska. This award will be the highest level of recognition that a Delaware 4-H member can achieve. It is similar to the Boy Scout Eagle Award or the Girl Scout Gold Award. The Diamond Clover Award consists of six levels, each steadily advancing in intensity and achievement over the last. It is intended to take a 4-H member six years to complete. The nice thing about this award is that many 4-H members are already doing the work, so all you need to do is fill out the forms and submit them. For other 4-H members, this award can provide you with a long-term challenge for your 4-H career. Either way, when you have finished the process you have completed an amazing journey that will benefit you forever. And a Diamond Clover Award will look pretty good on your college application too!
To find out more, visit the Diamond Clover page on the State 4-H website
If you plan to participate in this award program for the 2015-16 4-H year, Level Intent Forms must be submitted by November 25.