Volunteer News, Upcoming Training
MN 4-H Volunteer Development: Consent and choice in youth development
Tues. March. 14th, 6:30-7:30 pm
As youth workers and volunteers, saying "yes" to positive youth development means creating a culture in which youth have the power to say "no" to ideas, suggestions, activities, practices, programs and priorities suggested by adults or peers. Empowering and engaging youth spaces go beyond youth participation into youth authority and autonomy. Join Minnesota 4-H Youth Development Extension Educators Bri Hall (Ramsey County) and Sarah Odendahl (Pine County) on Tuesday, March 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to learn more about how volunteers can create learning environments that promote youth physical and emotional safety, encourage youth to exercise choice, and support youth in establishing personal limits and boundaries. Register to attend. Visit https://extension.umn.edu/event/minnesota-4-h-volunteer-development-consent-and-choice-youth-development for info.
Spring Project Day
Local offering | Grades 3+
In person
Project areas include demonstrations, STEM, expressive arts, sewing, and more. Youth will have the opportunity to participate in three 45 minute sessions of their choice. The event runs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and will start promptly at 9:30 am. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign in.
The location is at the Land Services Building [322 Laurel Street Brainerd, MN 56401]. Cost is $5 at the door and open for grades 3+. Please register in 4-H Online before April 6th, 2023.
State Ambassador Applications now OPEN!
Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors aim to reflect the diversity of the 4-H program. They serve as the face and voice of Minnesota 4-H to internal and external stakeholders. In their year-long role, the State Ambassadors attend local and regional 4-H meetings and events, speak and present at state and national conferences and events, visit with alumni and other 4-H supporters, and inspire youth to learn and lead through regional and state leadership workshops and trainings.
Which teens in your club and other local programs are looking to take the next step in their leadership journey? You can recommend someone to the program by filling out this form. The state team will reach out to them to let them know that someone thinks they would make a great State Ambassador.
Are you a youth interested in becoming a State Ambassador? Check out the informational packet here. Ready to apply? Fill out the application here!
NE 4-H Camp @ Long Lake Conservation Center
Regional offering | Grades 3-6 In person
The Great MN 4-H Seed Mystery Kit
Statewide offering | Grades 3+
Virtual
Discover and uncover the unknown world of seeds by registering for The Great Mystery Seed 4-H Project Kit. Uncover clues to identify various seeds from the different growing zones across Minnesota. Youth will use detective skills and tools to solve the great seed mystery. This four-week learning experience will be held on Mondays from June 5-26, 5-5:45 p.m. the fee to join us for this unique experience is $5.00. Each participant will receive a kit with mystery seeds, a journal and a support guide.
Registration is open from March 1-May 1; seeds will be sent to youth in mid-May for the series to begin on June 5.
Share the Fun and Talent Show
In person
Share the Fun
4-H youth (or an individual) prepare a six minute skit to perform. Two acts are nominated to move on to the State Fair Showcase during our county's encampment. Youth learn team building, how to write a skit, how to build props, and practice their public speaking skills and stage presence.
Share the Fun Rules and Guidelines
●The length of the Share the Fun acts are not to exceed
6 minutes.
● All general rules, regulations, and fees for State Fair
participation apply to Share the Fun participants except
for age. A member younger than the age requirement
and part of a Share the Fun group may participate.
● Although microphones are available, acts should not
depend on them. Acts need to learn to project their
voices if no mics were to be available.
● A wide variety of themes may be used. (The act does
not have to be a 4-H theme.)
● Any type of entertainment can be used to share the fun
with others (music, drama, readings, dance, magic,
mime, lip syncs, etc).
Tips for a successful Share the Fun
- Preview this evaluation form to prepare a successful skit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qFCDln5E41LeAcKmYXXxGK-ZGvGEGsYH/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108506302661122043927&rtpof=true&sd=true
- Delegate 2-3 adult volunteers from the club to lead this project
Talent Show [immediately after Share the Fun]
An event in which participants perform the arts of singing, dancing, lip-syncing, acting, martial arts, playing an instrument, poetry, comedy or other activities to showcase skills. Many talent shows are performances. 4-H members [youth and adults welcome!] who wish to share a special talent without going to the State Fair may participate.
Please submit your registration forms to Cassie at cgirling@umn.edu before March 17, 2023.
Registration Form: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FC8Qf5ZV-8qpZ0pToA6JPdX1n4iUPS0z/view?usp=sharing
YELLO registration opens in April!
In person
The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors are excited to announce that the 2023 YELLO leadership conference will take place June 13 - 16 at Bemidji State University!
Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Opportunities (YELLO) is a 4-H leadership conference for youth in grades 7+ that prepares youth to learn and lead in their communities. YELLO is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors.
What happens at YELLO?
This annual event aims to engage youth in building leadership skills, developing positive relationships with peers and adults, and planning how to take future action.
Activities include:
- Youth-led leadership learning: The State Ambassadors select a leadership-related topic to focus on for the year. They engage with topical experts and/or practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of the related research and then build age-appropriate lessons to deliver during the event.
- Service and education: Participants engage in hands-on service to learn about civic responsibility while also making positive contributions to the community. This year’s service focus is on food insecurity.
- Deep dives and workshops: Youth engage with the campus and/or community to learn deeply about special topics while gaining understanding of potential future careers, academic programs, or other opportunities for engagement in 4-H and beyond.
- Exploring Bemidji: Youth will get an opportunity to have some fun in the community! This could include seeing local attractions, attending arts and cultural events, or visiting other entertainment venues.
- Social events: Youth will be able to network with one another in fun ways. In the past, this has included talent shows, game nights, dances, etc.
Registration for YELLO will open in April. The cost to attend YELLO is $275, with an additional $50 fee for opting in to ride the bus. Register via 4-H Online.
Plan ahead - Ask the Extension office about what scholarships may be available to you!
Save the Date! 15th Annual Crow Wing County 4-H Rabbit Fun Show
Local offering | all ages
In person
Save the Date!
The 15th Annual Crow Wing County Rabbit Fun Show is to be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
Registration begins at 8:30 am with pre-registration available in 4-H Online starting March 1, 2023. Tattooing is available all day for just $1 per rabbit.
Trevor Sypnieski will be providing education on registering rabbits and will be available to register for $6 per rabbit.
Silent auction, food stand, and rabbits for sale. You don't want to miss this event!
Held at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds, in the curling building.
Contact the Extension office or Sherry Bock at sherryjbock@gmail.com with questions!
Crow Wing County 4-H Yearly Calendar
Access the Yearly Calendar events HERE.
Contact
Events and news are separated into county items and regional/statewide items. Please click on each of the links to view county and statewide events.
Statewide news - learn about what's going on across Minnesota
Extension Office/Window Hours
Monday: 12:30 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday: No office/window hours
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday: 8:00 - 4:30 pm
Friday: 12:30 - 4:30 pm
Email: cgirling@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu
Location: 326 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN, USA
Phone: 218-824-1069
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UMNExtensionCWC4H
Twitter: @UMNExt