The 4-H Scoop
The Official Perry County 4-H Newsletter
Enroll by January 15!
Clubs are meeting, trips are planned, Spark Clubs are in the works…join now so that you can be a part of the fun! As a reminder, all 4-H’ers must enroll or reenroll annually. Enrolling by January 15 ensures that you don’t miss out on any opportunities.
Don’t know which projects to take? No problem. Choose one or two that you are most interested in. You may add more projects until May 15 by contacting the Extension office. Livestock projects may have earlier deadlines. If you have questions about livestock projects, contact Sara Dzimianski.
Signing up is easy to do. Go to https://v2.4honline.com/ Use the same log in and password that you used last year. If you need help, contact the Extension office. Evening appointments can be scheduled. Don’t set up a new profile! Enroll now so you don’t miss out on any opportunities!!
4-H Pride Week: January 10-15
Show your pride as a 4-H member, volunteer, parent or supporter January 10-15! To promote 4-H as we move toward the January 15 sign up date, you are asked to dress in the following and post pictures on social media encouraging others to join 4-H. Let’s show everyone our 4-H pride!!
Monday, Jan. 10—4-H shirt or dress like your future career
Tuesday, Jan. 11—4-H Fair Shirt and pajama pants
Wednesday, Jan. 12—Dress like your favorite 4-H project
Thursday, Jan. 13—4-H attire and crazy socks
Friday, Jan. 14—4-H Colors Day, wear green and white
2022 Handbook
4-H has been restructured to make it easier to understand and uniform across the state. Every project has been revised, so it’s important that you read the new guidelines. In short, more exhibit options have been added to allow for creativity and flexibility, and nearly all projects are now eligible to be exhibited at the state fair!
This year, you will receive a summary of the project guidelines for the projects that you sign up for with your project manuals. The handbook will list general information that is important for all members to know. These will be distributed by club leaders. Additional resources and information about all projects are available here: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/projects/index.html
Most projects that were previously county-only exhibits are now included in one of the state projects. Many are now craft exhibit options. The exception to this is the Freestyle project. This non-competitive project is for exhibits that do not fit into any of the state projects. A reference sheet will be provided to help you find the new category for projects that were previously county-only or you may contact the Extension office for guidance.
There is now a provision for flexibility for the grade level that youth with special circumstances may use. If you need an exception to exhibiting a project on your grade level, contact Cathy Boerste to discuss the options.
Volunteer Trainings
Tips on how to help members understand the project changes and guidelines, including where to find the resources they need to learn about their projects and create great projects, will be included in the 4-H Volunteer Training, Tips for Success with 4-H Projects, on Tuesday, January 18 at 6 p.m.
This training will be offered remotely, and the link will be emailed to all volunteers. Club officers and other 4-H members are welcome to participate. Share this link with any members that you want, but please don’t post it on social media for security reasons.
Ideas for future trainings and presenters are welcome. Please contact Cathy Boerste with your suggestions.
Additional volunteer trainings are offered remotely by 4-H Educators in Area 2. Topics and times were included in the flyer that was emailed to volunteers in mid-October. To receive a copy, contact Cathy Boerste. These trainings are free but require advanced registration.
Member Recruitment Challenge
You know the value of 4-H, and we want you to share this information with others! 4-H members, volunteers, and parents of 4-H’ers are our best advocates. We want to reach all youth so they can share in these benefits.
For each new member that you recruit, you can win cash! Invite your friends to join and contact the Extension office with the names of the people you have recruited. If they enroll by January 15, you will receive a point for each person. The 4-H’er or adult volunteer who enrolls the most people by January 15 will receive a cash prize.
4-H Scholarships
4-H’ers in grades 10-12 are encouraged to apply for Indiana 4-H Foundation scholarships. At least three $500 scholarships will be awarded to Perry County 4-H’ers! You must be enrolled as a 2022 4-H member and apply by the deadline to be considered for one of these awards.
Applications should be submitted prior to the January 25 deadline to allow time for revisions. Contact Cathy Boerste for assistance and to schedule an individual session to help you create your best application. Information and applications are posted here: https://extension.purdue.edu/
Plastic Caps for Bench Project Update
We asked for caps, and the response has been overwhelming!! Thank you to everyone who has saved and collected caps! We now have more than enough to compete the project. Now we are shifting to the next phase of the project: cleaning and sorting the caps, and we need your help.
Caps must be clean, sorted, and weighed before we can have the bench made. Thanks to the 4-H’ers and clubs that have been working on this project, we’ve learned some tips. Here’s how you can help.
We hope to have the caps sorted and the bench ordered in the spring so that the bench will be at the at the fairgrounds in time for this year’s fair to serve as a lasting memory of Carson Lasher.
Spring Break Fun on March 17!
Looking for something fun to do during Spring Break? Youth in grades 3-12 are encouraged to attend the Spring Break Day Camp on March 17 at the fairgrounds. Lots of hands-on activities are planned, and livestock members can complete their YQCA training. This event is open to all youth, including those not enrolled in 4-H. Save the date and watch for more information to be emailed to you.
4-H Camp, Save the Dates!
Planning has started for 4-H Camp, and we want you to join us. Camp dates are June 13-15 at the Historic Santa Claus Campground. Youth in grades 3-7 may attend as campers.
Camp Counselors Needed
High school students are needed to serve as camp counselors. This is a fun and rewarding experience where teen leaders learn leadership skills while providing a memorable experience for campers. Anyone in grades 9-12 considering serving as a camp counselor should save April 8-9 for an overnight training at camp and will need to arrive at camp on June 12. Applications are now available in 4hOnline. Sign up by March 4. If you have questions, contact Cathy Boerste.
County Fair Dates
The Perry County Fair will be held July 8-11, 2022. To avoid conflicting with the 4th of July holiday, projects will be checked in on Wednesday, June 29. Please note this change from last year's schedule.
Safety Plans
Cooler weather means that more indoor activities and meetings are planned. Continue to take precautions to keep everyone safe. It is recommended that meetings and events are planned with a remote option for those who are unable to participate in person. If you need help with this, contact Cathy Boerste.
Several clubs and groups have approved safety plans. Please review these plans before each event. If anything has changed such as the location, moving indoors, increase in participants, consuming food or beverages, etc., a new safety plan is needed. Remember to send the plan to Cathy Boerste at least three weeks prior to the event.
4-H Trip Applications
Youth in grades 7-12 have several opportunities to travel and learn through 4-H this summer. We offer scholarships for youth to participate in these trips, and a charter bus provides transportation from our area to Roundup and 4-H Academy. Watch your email for the scholarship application that will be sent in January and check out some of the statewide opportunities posted here: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/state-programs/index.html
Save Money with Purdue Fast Start
Purdue Fast Start — giving Indiana students a new pathway to Purdue through:
Check it out today!
https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/purduefaststart/
Clubs are meeting, trips are planned, Spark Clubs are in the works…join now so that you can be a part of the fun! As a reminder, all 4-H’ers must enroll or reenroll annually. Enrolling by January 15 ensures that you don’t miss out on any opportunities.
Don’t know which projects to take? No problem. Choose one or two that you are most interested in. You may add more projects until May 15 by contacting the Extension office. Livestock projects may have earlier deadlines. If you have questions about livestock projects, contact Sara Dzimianski.
Signing up is easy to do. Go to https://v2.4honline.com/ Use the same log in and password that you used last year. If you need help, contact the Extension office. Evening appointments can be scheduled. Don’t set up a new profile! Enroll now so you don’t miss out on any opportunities!!
4-H Pride Week: January 10-15
Show your pride as a 4-H member, volunteer, parent or supporter January 10-15! To promote 4-H as we move toward the January 15 sign up date, you are asked to dress in the following and post pictures on social media encouraging others to join 4-H. Let’s show everyone our 4-H pride!!
Monday, Jan. 10—4-H shirt or dress like your future career
Tuesday, Jan. 11—4-H Fair Shirt and pajama pants
Wednesday, Jan. 12—Dress like your favorite 4-H project
Thursday, Jan. 13—4-H attire and crazy socks
Friday, Jan. 14—4-H Colors Day, wear green and white
2022 Handbook
4-H has been restructured to make it easier to understand and uniform across the state. Every project has been revised, so it’s important that you read the new guidelines. In short, more exhibit options have been added to allow for creativity and flexibility, and nearly all projects are now eligible to be exhibited at the state fair!
This year, you will receive a summary of the project guidelines for the projects that you sign up for with your project manuals. The handbook will list general information that is important for all members to know. These will be distributed by club leaders. Additional resources and information about all projects are available here: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/projects/index.html
Most projects that were previously county-only exhibits are now included in one of the state projects. Many are now craft exhibit options. The exception to this is the Freestyle project. This non-competitive project is for exhibits that do not fit into any of the state projects. A reference sheet will be provided to help you find the new category for projects that were previously county-only or you may contact the Extension office for guidance.
There is now a provision for flexibility for the grade level that youth with special circumstances may use. If you need an exception to exhibiting a project on your grade level, contact Cathy Boerste to discuss the options.
Volunteer Trainings
Tips on how to help members understand the project changes and guidelines, including where to find the resources they need to learn about their projects and create great projects, will be included in the 4-H Volunteer Training, Tips for Success with 4-H Projects, on Tuesday, January 18 at 6 p.m.
This training will be offered remotely, and the link will be emailed to all volunteers. Club officers and other 4-H members are welcome to participate. Share this link with any members that you want, but please don’t post it on social media for security reasons.
Ideas for future trainings and presenters are welcome. Please contact Cathy Boerste with your suggestions.
Additional volunteer trainings are offered remotely by 4-H Educators in Area 2. Topics and times were included in the flyer that was emailed to volunteers in mid-October. To receive a copy, contact Cathy Boerste. These trainings are free but require advanced registration.
Member Recruitment Challenge
You know the value of 4-H, and we want you to share this information with others! 4-H members, volunteers, and parents of 4-H’ers are our best advocates. We want to reach all youth so they can share in these benefits.
For each new member that you recruit, you can win cash! Invite your friends to join and contact the Extension office with the names of the people you have recruited. If they enroll by January 15, you will receive a point for each person. The 4-H’er or adult volunteer who enrolls the most people by January 15 will receive a cash prize.
4-H Scholarships
4-H’ers in grades 10-12 are encouraged to apply for Indiana 4-H Foundation scholarships. At least three $500 scholarships will be awarded to Perry County 4-H’ers! You must be enrolled as a 2022 4-H member and apply by the deadline to be considered for one of these awards.
Applications should be submitted prior to the January 25 deadline to allow time for revisions. Contact Cathy Boerste for assistance and to schedule an individual session to help you create your best application. Information and applications are posted here: https://extension.purdue.edu/
Plastic Caps for Bench Project Update
We asked for caps, and the response has been overwhelming!! Thank you to everyone who has saved and collected caps! We now have more than enough to compete the project. Now we are shifting to the next phase of the project: cleaning and sorting the caps, and we need your help.
Caps must be clean, sorted, and weighed before we can have the bench made. Thanks to the 4-H’ers and clubs that have been working on this project, we’ve learned some tips. Here’s how you can help.
We hope to have the caps sorted and the bench ordered in the spring so that the bench will be at the at the fairgrounds in time for this year’s fair to serve as a lasting memory of Carson Lasher.
Spring Break Fun on March 17!
Looking for something fun to do during Spring Break? Youth in grades 3-12 are encouraged to attend the Spring Break Day Camp on March 17 at the fairgrounds. Lots of hands-on activities are planned, and livestock members can complete their YQCA training. This event is open to all youth, including those not enrolled in 4-H. Save the date and watch for more information to be emailed to you.
4-H Camp, Save the Dates!
Planning has started for 4-H Camp, and we want you to join us. Camp dates are June 13-15 at the Historic Santa Claus Campground. Youth in grades 3-7 may attend as campers.
Camp Counselors Needed
High school students are needed to serve as camp counselors. This is a fun and rewarding experience where teen leaders learn leadership skills while providing a memorable experience for campers. Anyone in grades 9-12 considering serving as a camp counselor should save April 8-9 for an overnight training at camp and will need to arrive at camp on June 12. Applications are now available in 4hOnline. Sign up by March 4. If you have questions, contact Cathy Boerste.
County Fair Dates
The Perry County Fair will be held July 8-11, 2022. To avoid conflicting with the 4th of July holiday, projects will be checked in on Wednesday, June 29. Please note this change from last year's schedule.
Safety Plans
Cooler weather means that more indoor activities and meetings are planned. Continue to take precautions to keep everyone safe. It is recommended that meetings and events are planned with a remote option for those who are unable to participate in person. If you need help with this, contact Cathy Boerste.
Several clubs and groups have approved safety plans. Please review these plans before each event. If anything has changed such as the location, moving indoors, increase in participants, consuming food or beverages, etc., a new safety plan is needed. Remember to send the plan to Cathy Boerste at least three weeks prior to the event.
4-H Trip Applications
Youth in grades 7-12 have several opportunities to travel and learn through 4-H this summer. We offer scholarships for youth to participate in these trips, and a charter bus provides transportation from our area to Roundup and 4-H Academy. Watch your email for the scholarship application that will be sent in January and check out some of the statewide opportunities posted here: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/state-programs/index.html
Save Money with Purdue Fast Start
Purdue Fast Start — giving Indiana students a new pathway to Purdue through:
Check it out today!
https://www.admissions.purdue.edu/purduefaststart/