October 17, 2014 Updates

Annual 4-H Dinner Auction

The Annual 4-H dinner Auction is going to be held October 25th at Joe Stefani School in Merced.  The silent auction and social start at 5:00. Tickets are $20.  Please invite your families and friends to attend and help support 4-H.  Your club leaders have tickets available.

Countywide projects

At this time the only county wide project we have is Leadership Development.

Project Overview:

The Merced County 4-H Leadership Development Project consists of learning the concepts of iThrive 2 and leadership development for club officers and jr/ teen leaders.

Expectations and Goals:

Members will be expected to do the following to complete their project:

1. Attend a minimum of 80% of all project meetings.
2. Complete a 4-H Annual Project Report at the end of the project year.
3. Have necessary means of transportation to and from meetings.
4. Lead one session with a team.
5. Plan and complete a Community Service Project as a group.

Meetings: Dates may change due to scheduling and availability.

Meetings will be held in various locations throughout Merced County on the fourth Monday of each month.

Hosting Clubs: Provide location for meetings. Some activities will require movement and internet access. If internet is not available, please let me know and I will work around it. Water and snacks are not required but very welcomed.

Washington Focus

Citizenship Washington Focus, an educational conference offered at the National 4-H Center near Washington, D.C, gives youth the opportunity to explore, develop, and refine the civic engagement skills they need in order to become outstanding leaders.

Through tours in the living classroom of Washington, D.C. and hands-on educational workshops, youth will learn about the history of our nation, the leaders who have shaped it, and how they can apply their enhanced leadership and citizenship skills to issues in their own community.

Delegates have the option of traveling to Washington, D.C., and participating in Heritage Trail which is a 7 day program hosted by the National 4-H Conference Center. Delegates may extend their travel 3 additional days through the Global Journey program which includes visits to Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Delegates must be at least 15 years of age by time of travel to participate in Citizenship Washington Focus. 

REGISTER NOW! DEADLINE DECEMBER 15, 2014

$1200 is due at time of registration.

Heritage Trail CWF only : June 28 to July 4, 2015 price $2799
The 7 day program to Washington, D.C.

Road to Democracy:  June 28 to July 7, 2015 price $3449
The 10 day program to Washington, D.C., Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Baltimore!

Citizenship Washington Focus is a year-long program, beginning with registration in December and online orientation in March.  County delegations are expected to complete a study guide and prepare thoroughly for their Citizenship Washington Focus program.  During their participation in the program, all county delegations develop and carry out a service-learning plan of action to address a current issue in their community.  A final report on their service project is due September 15 of the year they travel.

Contact Jenna Colburn, Program Coordinator at jcolburn@ucanr.edu

See Citizenship Washington Focus at the National 4-H Center in action at:  Citizenship Washington Focus Program

Calling all Volunteer Leaders with an interest in Citizenship Washington Focus!Check out the CWF Intern Opportunity 

Cal Focus

          A unique citizenship educational experience for youth 14-19.

June 19-23, 2015

Located at the Holiday Inn

Capital Plaza- Sacramento

Cost TBA

Witness California's government in action by participating in the legislative, political, and judicial processes. 

As a conference delegate you will:

• Register to vote, conduct a primary election, and develop a political campaign through a two party system.
• Elect constitutional offices.
• Analyze the needs and issues of your district and enact legislation with the goal of securing the governor's signature to make your bill a law.
• Create a service plan of action for your community
• Meet California law makers
• Tour the State Capitol, Governor's office and 3rd Court of Appeal
• Participate in fun recreational activities, tours and cultural events
• Make new friends

California Focus can be the beginning of a life of public participation that leaves you with a strong determination to become involved in your community.  

Leader Certification Training Opportunity - Shotgun 

Saturday, December 6, 2014 – 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 7, 2014 – 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Alturas Rifle and Pistol Club
Centerville Road (CountyRoad54), near Alturas

There will be a 4-H Shotgun Leader Certification Training on December 6^th & 7^th, 2014 in Alturas, California. The Class will be held at the Alturas Rifle and Pistol Club, Centerville Road (County Road 54), near Alturas from 8 am– 4:30 pm on Saturday December 6th and from 8 am– Noon on Sunday December 7th. The class is being hosted by Modoc County 4-H.

To teach shotgun at the project,club and camp level,you must be an appointed 4-H club adult volunteer (leader) and attend both days to receive certification. The course will include a Power Point presentation, review of equipment, practice shooting and teaching,and a written test. The cost is $40 per person and includes a resource binder and lunch on Saturday. 

Registration is limited to a maximum of ten individuals. To register, please mail the following to the Modoc County 4-H Program, 202 West 4^th Street, Alturas, California 96101:

• A completed “CA 4-H Shooting Sports Training Request and Registration Form” (available at http://4h.ucanr.edu/files/2123.pdf);
• A completed Adult 4-H Medical Release Form;
• A $40.00 check payable to:“Modoc County 4-H Council”

Registration will be on a first come-first serve basis (you will not be considered registered until all of the above documents have been received). 

Please plan to register on or before Thursday November 6, 2014.  For more information call Heather or Cheryl at (530) 233-6400 (Monday-Thursday,7 am-5 pm)or hhadwick@ucanr.edu.

State Fashion Review Categories, Challenges, Service Projects

Entry Categories: Traditional, Consumer Science Purchased $40, Upcycled, Jacket Challenge, Costume Challenge

Service projects:

• Pillowcases for Ronald Mc Donald type housing, Children's Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Special Needs Camps, and other venues throughout California
• Hats for youth and adult cancer patients, newborns, homeless drop-in shelters or to till a need in your community. They can be made of fleece, soft fabric or knitted/crocheted of soft yarn.  

Cover Art Contest  The State Fashion Revue committee is seeking entries to design the program cover for the SFR Fashion Show. Your design should reflect the theme, "Through the Looking Glass".  Contest rules are:

• One design per member.
• Any 4-H youth member may participate, regardless of projects.
• The design can be digital or hand drawn.
• You may use any medium (colored pencil, marker, paint, digital).  
• The space allowed for the finished cover, including text, is 4.5” wide x 7.5” tall. This fits on a folded letter size page. 
• All art work must be original. No clipart allowed.
• Include the words "2015 State Fashion Revue" and the date "May 30, 2015".
• Use the 4-H clover appropriately in your design.  
• Please keep your original art work and go to this link to submit your entry http://ucanr.edu/sfrcovercontest
• Entries are due by 5:00 PM on December 15, 2014
• For more information email mvemails@yahoo.com

We look forward to receiving your cover designs! Have fun and good luck!

Categories:

1. Traditional – features garments the participant has constructed for him/herself, showcasing sewing skills and the ability to coordinate an outfit. The entry must be sewn by the member as part of his/her 4-H Clothing and Textiles project. The outfit must contain at least one constructed garment; participants are encouraged to construct additional garments to complete the outfit.

2. Consumer Science Purchased - $40.00 limit for the entire outfit, includes shoes but not sales tax. Receipts from the current 4-H year are required for any item that is visible. Gifts, prior purchases, and items without receipts are not eligible for this category. Receipts from yard sales, etc. may be hand written. There is no 4-H project requirement.

3. Upcycled – take one or more existing garments and turn them into a new, different, and wearable garment. Add a handmade accessory. The upcycled garment must be sewn by the member as part of his/her 4-H Clothing & Textiles project. Additional upcycled and/or sewn garments are encouraged to complete the outfit. A “before” photograph showing the original garment(s) is required. This is not an alteration such as a large dress altered to fit a smaller person. It is a complete change such as pants and a shirt made into a dress. Other fabrics and material may be added during the construction process.

4. Jacket Challenge – tiered requirements - Junior: construct a jacket using any pattern, any fabric.  Intermediate: construct a jacket and one other garment. Senior: construct a jacket and other pieces to complete an outfit. The entry must be sewn by the member as part of his/her 4-H Clothing & Textiles project. What is a jacket? For this category it covers the upper body, has sleeves of any length and opens in the front. Other construction details such as fasteners, collar, lapels, pockets, lining, etc. are optional, determined by sewing experience. 

5. Costume Challenge - use any technique, any materials, and any pattern to create a costume. It does not need to be sewn from fabric but it does need to be made by the participant, not purchased. There is no 4-H project requirement. The theme and costume must be 4-H appropriate.