Douglas 4-H Buzz
May, 2023 Edition
It's Not Summer Without 4-H Daycamps!
Looking for fun learning experiences for your K-3rd graders this summer (grade completed), Douglas County 4-H has you covered. We will be offering five daycamps this summer, with a variety of activities and learning opportunities. Open to members and non members, capping each camp at 20 participants.
Wednesday, July 12 - Discover Animals (Alexandria City Park)
Wednesday, July 19 - Discover Water (Legacy of the Lakes Museum)
Wednesday, July 26 - Discover Science (Brandon Lions Park)
Wednesday, August 9 - Discover Art (Lake Osagi Park)
Friday, August 18 - Discover County Fair (Douglas County Fairgrounds)
Camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., transportation is on your own. Youth bring their own sack lunch for noon meal. Cost is $ 5 per camp (cash or check to U of M).
Visit mn.4honline.com, login to your profile, select events and search for daycamp of interest; you will need to register for each camp separately. For questions or assistance registering, please contact the Extension office at 320-762-3890. We hope to see you there!
May 15 Animal ID Deadline!
Livestock Quality Assurance Training (LQA & E)
Pope County 4-H is hosting an in person LQA & E Training for both Level 1 & 2 on Saturday, June 10 from 9 am-12 pm at the Pope County Fairgrounds. This event is open to current 4-H members in grades 6 and up who need LQA & E training prior to the State Fair.
Deadline to register is May 29. For more information check out https://extension.umn.edu/event/pope-county-lqae-person-training
An in-person workshop will not be held in Alexandria this year.
Attention Swine Exhibitors
We have previously limited swine exhibitors to two exhibits between market barrow, market gilt or breeding gilt. This year we are allowing youth grades 3 and up to exhibit three swine if they choose. Exhibitors could exhibit a breeding gilt (Jan, Feb or March), a market gilt and a market barrow. However, you are not able to exhibit two of the same; for example two breeding gilts or two market barrows. If you have questions, please contact the office.
Register Now for Regional 4-H Camp in Morris
The regional 4-H camp is scheduled for June 20-22 at the University of Minnesota Morris campus. Youth in grades 3-6 are invited to attend this unique camp experience.
Youth participate in program offerings packed with educational sessions, large and small group activities and a whole lot of fun! Youth learn new skills and make new friendships.
This year's track topics to choose from include In Focus, Performing Arts, Moving & Shaking, Farmin' Frenzy, Bugging Out, Straight as an Arrow and Outdoor Survivalist 2.0.
Cost is $ 160 but Douglas County 4-H will pay $ 80 towards this fee for enrolled Douglas County 4-H members (active status) that attend.
Register now for best selection in mn.4honline.com or contact the office for assistance.
Engineering Design - Registration Deadline Approaching!
In the 4-H Engineering Design Challenge, youth develop critical thinking, creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills, and have fun at the same time! Teams apply engineering principles to plan and build a machine that completes a task. No expertise is required, for youth grades 3 and up.
Join us Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Douglas County Public Works located at 526 Willow Drive, Alexandria. Pre-register at mn.4honline.com by Monday, May 1! There is no cost to attend. For questions, or help registering, please contact the office at 320-762-3890 or hintz010@umn.edu. You may also refer to this guide for assistance.
It's County Fair Time, Now What?
A lot happens before and during the county fair. This free workshop , held Wednesday, June 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, is designed for youth and parents and will help you prepare and learn what to expect. Register by logging into mn.4honline and click events. Search for It's County Fair Time Now What and click register.
This is a great review for existing members and families and especially important for first and second year members and families. Learn the what, how and why of county fair! What's covered?
- Premium book
- County fair registration
- Events that take place prior to fair
- Fair exhibit check-in and judging
- Volunteer opportunities at the fair
- Foodstand
- What you should know when it comes to exhibiting animals
- Fairground tours
- Practice judging activity
- Questions and answers
Junior Camp at Faith Haven
Camp registration at mn.4honline.com on or before registration deadline of May 22.
YELLO (Youth Exploring Leadership Outloud)
Are you ready to build personal leadership skills that boost confidence and develop strategies to overcome barriers and achieve goals? Engage in team-building exercises and get to know youth from across Minnesota!
YELLO is held June 13-16 for youth 7th grade and up at Bemidji State University. Fuel that leader within! This conference is planned and facilitated by the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors. Experience educational workshops, group networking, inspiring messages, field trips and opportunities to contribute to the local community through service projects.
Register for this event no later than Friday, May 12 at mn.4honline.com. If you need assistance registering, please contact the office at 320-762-3890 or refer to this guide https://z.umn.edu/eventguide . Cost is $ 275; Douglas County 4-H will contribute $135 towards the registration fee for active Douglas County 4-H members. Transportation to and from YELLO will be provided for an additional fee of $ 50. Check the website extension.umn.edu and search for YELLO to learn more.
Horse Riding Lessons Coming Soon
Register at mn.4honline.com, login to your profile, select events and search for Douglas County 4-H Horse Riding Lessons. For questions or assistance registering, please contact the Extension office at 320-762-3890. You may also refer to this guide.
Brenden Bryce Family Benefit
Carlos Event Center, 210 Victoria Ave, Carlos MN
Free will donation!
- Spaghetti dinner meal from 3-6 p.m.
- Silent auction from 3-5 p.m.
- Live auction from 5:30 - 6 p.m.
- 50/50 raffle
- Bean bag tournament at 3 p.m. (cash payout)
- Dunk tank and climbing wall
Brenden sustained a concussion at wrestling practice on January 9. He was hospitalized at Sanford in Fargo for several days. Due to the concussion, he has been dealing with mobility and vision issues. He travels weekly for multiple therapies at the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Brenden's drive, determination and positive attitude are the cornerstone of his recovery. Brenden is the son of Joe and Lacy Bryce. He is a 9th grader at AAHS, a Cardinal Wrestling team member and a 4-H member. More here.
4-H Projects
4-H believes that youth learn best by doing. That's why all 4-H'ers are encouraged to participate in hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture, and civic engagement. Youth can concentrate on one project area, or they can try as many as they like.
Driven by Youth Interest
Youth drive their own choices. As in the 4-H pledge, they use their:
Head to engage actively in learning.
Heart to demonstrate caring for others and their own learning.
Hands to share their experiences with others.
Health to experience success and learn to support their family, community, and world.
Project work can be overwhelming-where to begin, how to get started, what should I do are FAQ’s surrounding project work. Some project areas are easier to figure out than others. Watch this space in future newsletters for project information and ideas.
4-H Exhibits
A 4-H exhibit is something that 4-H'ers can make and show at the fair or other showcase event to demonstrate what they have learned in the project area.
CRAFTS and FINE ARTS
Crafts and fine arts is one of the largest project areas in 4-H. There are two components to this project area. Both are an opportunity to be creative, learn techniques and share your passion for the arts. Craft exhibits develop from someone else's idea and can be easily replicated or replicated with modifications. You will follow steps and instructions and create a product from a pattern or a specific craft process kit.
- Explore different crafting techniques
- Follow directions to create a work of art from a pattern
- Complete a craft activity that comes from a kit
Fine arts exhibits are an original one-of-a-kind piece of art from an original idea of our own. We use our imagination to make a unique piece.
- Explore different types of art-painting, sculpting, multimedia work
- Utilize your imagination to create a work of an art
Create an exhibit
As you explore the many aspects of crafts and fine arts, you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. All artwork should be ready to be displayed, so a painting should be ready to hang. These might include:
Crafts:
- Diamond art kit
- Foam art kit
- Basket making
- Rosemaling
- Popsicle stick structure
- Items made at a camp
- Painting ceramics
Fine Arts:
- Paint an original painting in the medium of your choice (acrylic, oils, watercolor)
- Mold a sculpture from your own design
- Produce a work of art using multiple forms of media, including collage, mosaic, etc.
- Throw a unique pottery item
- Create a work of art from metals, stone, wood, plaster etc.
Engineering Design
In the engineering design project, you will address a problem by developing a solution that successfully solves the problem. Important in engineering design projects is identification of the problem and improving the solution.
- Ask: define the problem
- Imagine: information gathering/idea generation
- Plan: make a plan
- Create: testing and decision-making
- Improve: re-design
- Explore simple machines and their purpose.
Create an exhibit
As you explore the many types of engineering, you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. These might include:
- Participate in the engineering design challenge with a team of 4-H members to create a machine with a series of steps to solve a problem and record your data and process.
- Use everyday items to build a simple machine to complete a simple task or solve a real life situation.
- Use LEGOS to create and test different types of bridge designs
- Engineer a bridge, a roller coaster, a catapult/trebuchet or a wind turbine.
Exploring Animals
Exploring animals is intended as an introductory project area for youth who have limited experience with livestock/animal science. This area is a pathway for more in-depth study of the animal.
- Practice investigating and researching an animal of your choice
- Explore the needs and necessities of owning an animal
- Investigate careers involving animals - zoologist, caretaker, humane society and more.
Create an exhibit
As you explore the amazing world of animals, you can create an exhibit to bring to your fair or showcase event. Make a poster, display or video about:
- How to select an animal for a pet, working animal or food production.
- How much does it cost to raise an animal?
- Where does my animal come from? What is the history of the species or breed? How did it evolve?
- How can I keep my animal healthy and well fed?
- What is a therapy animal? How are they raised and trained? Who can they help?
- Do a service learning project with animals. What service did you provide? What did you learn?
- Research and report on a career working with animals.
- What equipment is used to prepare an animal for a show?
Jodi Hintzen at hintz010@umn.edu or Jackie Kokett at jkokett@umn.edu
Email: mnext-douglas@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/douglas
Location: 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN, USA
Phone: 320-762-3890
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNDouglasCounty4H/
Twitter: @UMNExt