February, 2000

Topics:

• A Brief with Bev
• Calendar
• Fearless Leaders
• National 4-H Web site
• Club Chatter

A BRIEF WITH BEV

CALENDAR

If you're looking for the current Calendar of Events, click here

** Special Up-Coming Events:

Show-N-Crow Planning Committee Meeting – The first meeting of the Pike County 4-H Show-N-Crow Planning Committee will be held on March 30th at 5:30 p.m. at the Pike County Administration Building. New committee members are always welcome. If you would like to serve on the Planning Committee, please contact the Extension office at 296-3400. The Show-N-Crow is tentatively scheduled for September 16th.

Teen Training – This event is April 22, from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM and is being held at East Stroudsburg University. The cost for this event is $6.00/person and includes lunch at the ESU Cafeteria. Registration is required and can be made by calling the Extension Office at 570-296-3400.

Capital Days – is scheduled for April 30 - May 2, 2000. This year, Capital Days is being held at the Hilton Harrisburg Towers. Delegates attending Capital Days must be 15 years old (by January 1, 2000) and have a minimum of one year in 4-H. We are seeking a boy and girl delegate to represent Pike County. If you would like to be considered to represent Pike County, please contact the Extension office. There is no fee for attending delegates; however, a $30 deposit is required. (Monies will be refunded to delegates after the event, provided the delegate attends.)

2000 Citizenship Washington Focus Conference - Open to 4-H'ers between the ages of 15 – 18 years of age (as of January 1, 2000), Citizenship Washington Focus Conference allows 4-H members an opportunity to see federal government in action, meet other 4-H'ers and visit with PA legislators. The Citizen Washington Focus is being held July 9 – 15, 2000, and will take place at the National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Interested 4-H'ers should contact the Extension Office. The cost for this event is $673. Scholarships are available!! Registration is due on or before April 1.

Local Government Day – Through situations and role-playing you will learn how local officials come to decisions on matters that affect all of us. Local Government Day will be held April 14, 2000, at the Penn State Worthington Campus in Scranton. Youth 13 years or older who are interested in attending this event should contact Peter Wulfhorst at (570) 296-3400.

4-H Teen Council Meeting – If you are 12 years or older and are interested in being a member of the 4-H Teen Council, please contact the Extension Office. The next meeting of the Teen Council will be held on March 20, at 6:30 PM, at the Blooming Grove Fire Department. Call if you are planning to attend!!! We will be having a make your own ice cream sundae bar.

"4-H Wildlife Field Day:" All Systems Go For Y2K! - This state event is planned for all youth taking wildlife projects through 4-H! It’s a “field day” of fun and learning on Saturday, April 15, 2000, (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM) at Rock Springs (Ag Progress Days Site) in Centre County. This event is open to all 4-H’ers (ages 8 -18). 4-H Volunteers and parents are also encouraged to attend. There will be two program options offered concurrently at the event. The"Exploration Option," designed for youth ages 8-11, will include hands-on wildlife educational activities, guest speakers, and a habitat tour. There will also be a live, wild animal session, as this year’s theme is "Birds of Prey." The "Challenge Option" will offer youth, ages 12-18, an opportunity to participate in the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Contest. This is a fun, competitive event that provides a great opportunity to apply knowledge about wildlife to real life. The Challenge Option will also include guest speakers, and a habitat tour. Lastly, four 4-H’ers between the ages of 14 and 18 years old will be selected from the contest to attend the 2000 National Wildlife Evaluation Event. Volunteer Leaders, Agents, and parents are welcome to attend the field day to observe either option. A picnic lunch will be served for all. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the field, and bring along snacks and water bottles. There is no fee for the event, but all youth and adults planning to attend should sign up through their County 4-H Agent, and let them know which option they wish to take. A PA Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Handbook will be forwarded to Extension offices for each person signed up for the Challenge Option. Sign-up deadline is April 5, 2000.

"4-H Forestry Field Day" Seeks Large Audience in 2000 - Pennsylvania’s 4-H "Forestry Day" is slated for April 29, 2000, from 10 AM - 3 PM at Rock Springs, PA (Ag Progress Days Site). This event is newly designed and open to all 4-H'ers who have taken, or are planning to undertake, the Trees + Me = Forestry or Advancing In Forestry project. The event has two options, similar to the Wildlife Field Day; however, note that they go by different names. There is a "Beginners Option" for younger 4-H'ers (ages 8-12) and an "Invitational Option" for older youth (ages 13-18). Participants signing up for the Beginners Option will be introduced to tree identification, compass use, and tree measurement, which are all components of the Trees + Me = Forestry 4-H project. This option is non-competitive, educational, and fun. There is no advance study required. 4-H'ers in the Invitational Option will participate in a forestry knowledge and judging contest. A handbook with everything one needs to know for this Invitational Option is available through the Penn State School of Forest Resources. The top four teens will be eligible to participate in the National 4-H Forestry Invitational. All participants must sign up through their County Extension Office. Participants must bring their own sack lunches; a drink will be provided. This is another great opportunity to grow your 4-H program in new directions. Agents, Volunteer Leaders, and parents are all invited to attend this event, but don't forget the 4-H'ers when you come! Sign-up deadline is April 19, 2000.

Club Meetings

4-H Craft Club meets the second Fri. of the month at the DV Elementary School Cafeteria.

Hippoligists of Pike County meets at the MacDonald’s house. Call 296-7215 for meeting day and time. *Please leave a message.

4-H for K-9’s Seeing Eye Puppy Club - meets the first Tues. at the Blooming Grove Firehouse, 7 p.m. and the third Sun. at the Milford Park, 1 p.m.

Trail Blazers Hiking Club - for meeting dates and times, please call Sue at 226-3540 or Janet at 685-4577.

Horse Warrior Dudes - for more information on meeting days and times please call the Extension Office.

For Horses meets at 12 noon on the first and third Sat. of the month, at the Urban Stables.

4-H Gardening Club - for more information regarding meeting dates and time, please call 686-2686. Meetings are held in the Milford Area.

Pumpkin Patch Kids meets once a month in the Bushkill area.

FEARLESS LEADERS

Mark Your Calendars!!!

District Horse Show Meetings – If anyone is interested in serving as a representative of Pike County at the District Horse Show Meetings, please contact the Extension Office.
PA 4-H Week – PA 4-H Week is March 12 – 18. Now is the time to start thinking about what your club could do to promote 4-H. Please contact the Extension office with your club plans.
	2000 PA 4-H Leaders Forum – Will be held March 31 – April 1, at the Days Inn, State College. Learn new things and share your ideas with fellow 4-H leaders. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Extension Office.
PA 4-H Shooting Sports Workshop – Will be held March 31 – April 1, at Camp Lutherlyn in Prospect, PA (Butler County). This is an annual training/certification for leaders working with the shooting sports program. Instructor training is available in rifle, air pistol, shotgun, archery and muzzleloading. Interested individuals should contact the Extension Office for an application.

4-H Web site:

“4-H in the USA” - http://www.4h-usa.org

CLUB CHATTER

Seeing Eye Puppy Club is looking for new member/families to join their club. As a member of the Seeing Eye Puppy Club, you will raise a very special puppy. If you would like more information about joining the Seeing Eye Puppy Club, contact the Extension Office at (570) 296-3400.

4-H Gardening Club is looking for new members/families to join their club. If you would like to find out more about becoming a member or for meeting dates and times, please call (570) 686-2686. Meetings are held in the Milford Area.

A 4-H Stipend Program is now available. Any enrolled 4-H'er or 4-H alumnus from the Pike County 4-H program is eligible to be considered for a stipend to be used in conjunction with their secondary education. There are three $250 stipends available. The stipend will be paid directly to the recipient’s bookstore. For stipend application and eligibility requirements, please contact the Extension Office.

2000 Camp Counselor Applications are now being accepted. If you are 13 years or older and would like to be a camp counselor in training or a camp counselor at Camp Shehaqua, contact the Extension Office. Camp Counselors are required to have 24 hours of training!

Strawberry Orders Traditionally, Pennsylvania 4-H has pooled a strawberry plant order for 4-H members, families, and friends. It’s time to place your 2000 Strawberry orders. The cost for the strawberry plants is $6.50/bundle and a bundle consists of 25 plants. Varieties available: Earliglow – Early Season – very good for freezing Mohawk – Early Season – highly productive Surecrop – Mid Season – good for freezing Allstar – Mid Season – very good for freezing Redchief – Mid Season – excellent for freezing Sparkle – Late Season – very good for freezing Northeaster – Early Season – large berries Orders and money must be received by March 6, 2000 in the Pike County Cooperative Extension Office. Please make checks payable to: Extension Special Account. Orders will arrive April 11, 2000, and must be picked up from the Pike County Cooperative Extension Office.

Millennium 4-H Bear - A Pennsylvania 4-H Y2K Bean Bear is available at the Pike County Extension Office. The cost of this handsome millennium bear is $11.00 (the cost does not reflect postage, if required). Proceeds will go to support local 4-H/youth programs. Delivery date will be February/March 2000. Call today! Limited quantities!

**If your club has something they would like to share, please call the Pike County Cooperative Extension Office at (570) 296-3400 and we will list it in the Club Chatter.

The 1999 – 2000 School Enrichment Program Brochure is available from the Pike County Cooperative Extension Office. If you would like more information or a copy of the brochure, please contact the Extension Office at (570) 296-3400.

Bring a Seeing Eye Puppy Demonstration/Talk to your classroom or club meeting. This program is most appropriate for children grades 4 and up. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, contact the Extension Office.

Exchanges - If you or your club is interested in an exchange, please contact the Office.

Sincerely,

Beverly A. Bensley
4-H / Youth and Recreation Coordinator

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Nancy Grotevant at 570-296-3400 in advance of your participation or visit.

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

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The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175.