this page was last updated Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:30 AM
News, Upcoming Events & Resources for All 4-H Members, Leaders & Volunteers
Featured Resources
4-H ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT - Recognitions & Photos
4-H RESOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE:
- Do you need resources about conducting a 4-H meeting, club officers, 4-H projects and more? Check out the Lancaster County 4-H Web site http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/club
Local 4-H Events to Attend
4-H CHESS TOURNAMENTS, MAY 24 & 25: The Lancaster County Checkmates 4-H chess club invites all Nebraska 4-H'ers to two chess tournaments at the Lancaster Extension Education Center in Lincoln. The tournaments are also open to 4-H friends. Sections for K-6 and K-12. You can choose to play in either or both tournaments.
- Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m. -- Swiss system tournament -- up to 6 rounds of play.
- Sunday, May 25, 12:45 p.m. -- Quads tournament -- players will be placed in quads.
For more information, see http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/ChessTourny08.pdf or contact 4-H leader James Walla at 476-2094.
Announcements
TEEN COUNCIL WON’T MEET IN JUNE: Teen Council will not meet in June. The next meeting will be Sunday, July 13 at 3 p.m
NEW 4-H MEMBERSHIP CARDS NOW AVAILABLE: New Lancaster County 4-H membership cards are available for all 4-H members. Stop by the extension office to pick them up.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP FOR CLOVER COLLEGE! Clover College is four days of "hands-on" workshops full of fun and learning Open to youth ages 6-19! This year, Clover College will be Tuesday, June 17-Friday, June 20 at the Lancaster Extension Education Center. For current class availability and descriptions, 4-H Clover College Web site
BE A 4-H CLOVER COLLEGE VOLUNTEER! Adult and teens volunteers are needed to help during Clover College! No experience needed! Volunteer for one session or all four days! If you are interested in this opportunity, contact Tracy Kulm at tkulm1@unl.edu or 441-7180.
WATCH CHICKS HATCH ONLINE WITH EGG CAM! This spring, Lancaster County 4-H Egg Cam will feature chickens, ducks and peacocks hatching! http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Embryology
DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO MIGHT HELP START A NEW 4-H CLUB? In Lancaster County, there are currently far more youth wanting to be in 4-H clubs than there are clubs. Do you know anyone who might like to help start a 4-H club? Tell them about 4-H and have them find out more information at http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h or call extension at 441-7180.
The following clubs are inviting new members:
2010 CITIZENSHIP WASHINGTON FOCUS FORMING NOW! Any Lancaster County youth age 14-19 can join 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), a summer citizenship program which culminates in a nine-day, intensive trip to Washington D.C. in June 2010. CWF delegates learn about the democratic process and their role as citizens. Get the inside scoop about how government really works from prominent guest speakers and from Senators and Congressman themselves. We will also take a few more days to discover the wonders of New York City. Youth who sign up now are able to start earning funds through organized fund-raising. A $100 deposit is needed to reserve your spot. For more information, contact Deanna Karmazin at 441-7180.
4-H Project Completion Certificates: 4-H Project Completion Certificates are available for club leaders to present to members at the conclusion of the 4-H year. The certificates are designed to be used with one form per 4-H member. For your convenience, you may order and pick these up in conjunction with your county fair entry forms and tags.
4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Organizing for 2008 Trip to D.C. For more information, go to http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/cwf.shtml.
Reserve Room Space -- Did you know your club can reserve community room space for club meetings and activities? Bennett Martin Public Library, Anderson Branch Library, Gere Branch Library, Eiseley Branch Library and Walt Branch Library have community rooms available. To reserve a community room, call Arlene at 441-8503 or go to http://www.lcl.lib.ne.us/info/commrooms.htm
Congratulations:
County & State Fair
Important Fair Updates (March 2008):
The 2008 Lancaster County Fair will be held August 6-10 at the Lancaster Event Center. This year's theme is "Thrills, Squeals and Ferris Wheels!". Lancaster Event Center is now in the midst of its Phase II Expansion plan. By fair time, there will be a new entrance off of Havelock Avenue, a completed Pavilion 3 with arena and more parking.
PRE-FAIR LEADER TRAINING, JUNE 5: New leaders, experienced leaders, 4-H members and parents are invited to this leader training on Thursday, June 5, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education Center. Come and receive information on how to fill out the entry tags, the in’s and out’s of interview judging, Life Challenge, presentations contest and other important county fair information. Preregister by June 4 by calling 441-7180.
JUDGES TRAINING: Are you currently a 4-H judge? Would you like to become one? Attend this training on Thursday, June 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrychreek Rd., Lincoln. Learn how judging fits into the big picture, learn about new resources and become familiar with changes in projects and fair exhibits. Training content is via DVD and includes style revue, horticulture, robots, clothing, photography and kids and technology. Cost is $10, experienced judges who bring a potential judge to the training may both attend the training free. Registrations are due Tuesday, June 10. Contact Tracy for registration information.
NEW IN 4-H THIS YEAR
IMPORTANT: In addition to any updates on this page, make sure you also see the Horse News | Animal/Livestock News | Project News for important updates/changes for specific project areas! These pages were also updated with new information on April 16!
See the Fair Book for detailed information about each of the following:
- Photography -- Nebraska 4-H has all new photography classes to match the new manuals: Focus on Photography - Unit I, Controlling the Image - Unit II and Mastering Photography - Unit III. There are also some county-only classes (not eligible for State Fair) such as "Photogram" and "Favorite photo."
- Robotics -- Nebraska 4-H has robotic classes to match the new manuals: Robot Explorer - Unit 1 and Robotic Probe - Unit 2.
- Theatre Arts -- at the request of 4-H After-school clubs, two county-only classes for clubs have been added: 4-H Club Portfolio and 4-H Club Acting Portfolio.
- Roping/Working Ranch Horse Show will be held in the new Pavilion 3 - Arena on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Goat Tying (three age divisions) has been added this year. Also new are All-Around Cowboy/Cowgirl Awards sponsored by Lonsum Pine Farm/Myron Ang Family. An all-around cowboy/cowgirl award will be given to the Elementary, Junior and Senior age divisions.
- Horse Novice Classes -- walk-trot classes designed for 4-H youth ages 12-18 who have just started riding and showing. All walk-trot rules apply. The following horse events have novice divisions: English Pleasure, English Equitation, Horsemanship Pairs, Western Pleasure and Western Horsemanship.
OTHER CHANGES
- The Bicycle Contest This year's 4-H Bicycle Safety Contest will be held BEFORE the county fair on Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education Center. Must preregister by June 23 by calling 441-7180 (there is no entry form). Contest is open to all 4-H’ers -- need not be enrolled in a bicycle project. Must preregister by June 23 by contacting the extension office (there is no entry form). Participants must provide their own bicycle and must wear a helmet (some helmets may be available at the contest.) There are two parts of the contest. In the bicycle skills events, 4-H’ers maneuver through several designated courses to test their riding skills and safety. A bicycle inspection reinforces the importance of bicycle maintenance and safety features.
- The Presentation Contest will be held one day only on Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education Center (no presentations during county fair).
- The county and state Horticulture Contest will be plant identification only. A new plant list along with a study guide can be found at http://www.agronomy.unl.edu/newoutreach/youthprograms.html. The new plant list contains plants that are commonly used or sold in Nebraska. A new online Horticulture Contest will also be available via the 4-H Web site from July 7 to 13. This is an extra contest and has no impact on the state horticulture contest. Plant list is the same.
- Due to construction of Amy Countryman Arena, there will be no loading/unloading animals on the east side of Pavilion 1. All loading/unloading animals (except for horses) will occur north of Pavilion 1. Animal check-in times have been staggered to ease congestion. See Fair Book for times.
- Bucket Calf now has only two classes: Current-year bucket calf - Junior division (ages 8-10) and Current-year bucket calf - Intermediate division (ages 11-13).
- The Shooting Sports Contest and Llama Show are on a break this year.
HORTICULTURE CONTEST CHANGES (Details): The Horticulture Contest will be held on Wednesday, July 23, 10 a.m.-Noon at the Lancaster Extension Education Center. Youth choose which of the following portions of the contest to participate in:
- Tree Identification -- identify 20 tree samples with proper name and spelling.
- Grass & Weed Identification -- identify 20 grass and weed samples with proper name and spelling.
- Horticulture Contest -- there are changes to the county and state Horticulture Contest -- it will be plant identification only. A new plant list along with a study guide can be found at http://www.agronomy.unl.edu/newoutreach/youthprograms.html. The new plant list contains plants that are commonly used or sold in Nebraska.
LIFE CHALLENGE CONTESTS: 4-H Life Challenge judging contests help youth learn more about issues related to family and consumer science (FCS). Contests are open to all 4-H’ers, need not be enrolled in a specific project. Preregistration is not needed for the county level contests. Contact Tracy at 441-7180 for more information.
- COUNTY-LEVEL SENIOR LIFE CHALLENGE (for ages 12 and up) is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 9:30 a.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education Center. Contest questions will be based on the following 4-H manuals: Fast Foods, You're the Chef, Foodworks, Money FUNdamentals, Money Moves, Design Decisions and Shopping in Style. They may be checked out prior to the contest for studying.
- STATEWIDE FCS LIFE CHALLENGE (for ages 12 and up) will be held Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1 on UNL East Campus. To participate, please contact Tracy at 441-7180 by June 9. Information is online at http://pase.unl.edu
- COUNTY-LEVEL JUNIOR LIFE CHALLENGE (for ages 8-11) will be held Saturday, July 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the Lancaster Extension Education Center. Contact Tracy for study packet.
Lancaster Couty Fair RESULTS & PHOTOS
Leaders & Volunteers
2008 Spotlight on 4-H Newsletter:
January 2008 (922 KB) | February (721 KB) | March (908 KB) | April (500 KB) | May (477 KB)
2007 Spotlight on 4-H Newsletter:
January (3,367KB) | February (2,592KB) | March (2.27MB) | April (2.9MB) | May (2.34MB)
June (3.14MB) | July (2.91MB)
2006 Spotlight on 4-H Newsletter:
January | February | March | April | May | June
About the Newsletter: The "Spotlight on 4-H Newsletter" is written by extension staff for 4-H volunteers during the months of January through July. It is packed with information and resources to educate, inform and motivate 4-H members and families. This newsletter is mailed to organizational leaders and is available on-line for all 4-H volunteers and families.
4-H Volunteer T-Shirts: 4-H T-shirts (white) with the 4-H clover emblem and 4-H volunteer T-shirts (burgundy) are available for sale at the extension office. Cost is $6.50. All or 50/50 blend. 4-H shirts available in sizes YM, AS, AM, AL & AXL. Volunteer shirts available in sizes: AS, AM, AL, AXL & AXXL.
Online Volunteer Training: Leader support and resources are available online to all 4-H volunteers. o gain access to this exciting new way of learning, users must have an e-mail address and access to the Internet. Please send an e-mail to Lisa Kaslon, Platte County extension educator at KASLON2@UNL.EDU and instructions as well as your password and username will be sent to you.
Nebraska 4-H Camps
ROBOTICS & CPS/GIS CAMP, JUNE 16-20: Nebraska 4-H is offering a 4-H Robotics and GPS/GIS Camp for middle-school students (grades 6-8) in Lincoln June 16-20. Tuition is $125. For more information, go to http://4hset.unl.edu/itest/camp.php or call Kevin Kramer at 472-2718.
CAMP COUNSELORS & MENTORS NEEDED: Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center and South Central 4-H Center are still in need of counselors and cabin mentors for the upcoming camping season. They are especially in need of males between the ages of 15 and 17. 4-H Council will reimburse Lancaster County youth the cost of counselor training. For more information, go to http://4h.unl.edu/camp or contact Tracy at 441-7180.
4-H CAMP BROCHURES NOW AVAILABLE: 2008 Nebraska 4-H summer camp brochures are now available online at http://4h.unl.edu/camp/youth or at the extension office. Camps are open to all youth ages 5-18. With three unique Nebraska locations at Halsey, Gretna and Alma, there are more than 40 camps ranging from half day to four days/three nights! The 4-H camps and centers all meet over 300 standards established by the American Camping Association. Brochures have complete information about all camps. Discover the adventure!
BIG RED ACADEMIC CAMPS. The 2008 Big Red Summer Academic Camps are a chance for high school youth to spend time investigating an interest or potential career, explore the UNL campus, meet people from across the state and have lots of fun. Held in June, Big Red Summer Academic Camps features 12 career exploration camps hosted by Nebraska 4-H and UNL faculty members. The camps are residence camps held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Brochures and registration forms are available at http://bigredcamps.unl.edu or at the extension office. For more information, call 472-2805.
