February 2023 Edition

4-H Youth Development
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Summer 4-H Camp ... Just Around the Corner
Even though you may not have put away your winter coat just yet, it’s time to start thinking about 4-H summer camps. 

Are  you ready to experience one of the most fun weeks of your life? Do you like catching bugs, fish, butterflies or crawdads? Maybe you love swimming, crafts, riflery, archery, canoeing, or music. Do you like adventure with a climbing wall and zip line? Do you like making new friends and having lots of fun? If any of these things appeal to you, sign up for 4-H camp this summer.

At each of Kentucky’s 4-H camps, you’ll fi nd all of the fun things above and more. You might come to camp a little nervous and  uncertain about what’s to come, but you soon find yourself meeting new friends and learning new skills and activities. You will
find the time is gone, and all too quickly, it’s time to go home. 

Of course, you’ll be able to take home your memories of the time you spent shooting a bow and arrow, possibly being on the  winning team in fi eld relay games, cooling off at the pool and certainly the fun friends and camp staff you met. 

4-H camps are open to all youth, ages nine through fourteen. Teens and adults can serve as a volunteer chaperone; contact the 4-H office for more details and the volunteer forms.

4-H camps provide a safe, secure and fun environment for Kentucky campers. Two on-site EMT/health care provider are  lways available. Volunteer chaperones are trained and screened. Local 4-H agents will attend camp with your child. 

4-H camps have been awarded accreditation by the American Camp Association in recognition of our program using the  “best practices in the camping industry” in providing a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for our campers.

Green County 4-H camps at Lake Cumberland from June 13-16. Registration forms are available now and camp will fill up  quickly. Camp fees are $275 and includes transportation, lodging, meals, activities and a camp t-shirt. A $50 deposit saves your spot with the fi nal payment due by June 1. There is a mandatory camper/adult orientation scheduled for 2:00pm  on June 4th. Youth can earn scholarships for summer camp by being involved in our Speech and Demonstration contest. 

Camp provides attendees with a diverse, fun learning environment with a focus on the 4-H philosophy of “learn by doing.” For  questions on camp, contact the Green County Cooperative Extension Service. See you at camp!

4-H For All 
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and  institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the bases of race, color, ethnic origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy,  marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with  Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation  Act and other related matter should be directed to Equal Opportunity Office, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment,  University of Kentucky, Room S-105, Agriculture Science Building, North Lexington, Kentucky 40546, the UK Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, 13 Main Bdg., University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0032 or US Dept of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250.

Outdoor Adventure Club Starts Soon
Dreaming of summer and warmer weather is a weekly pastime. There are lots of benefi ts we miss from being indoors during winter. Sunlight exposure helps to reduce nearsightedness and increase vitamin D levels. Playing outdoors also increases physical activity and has numerous health benefi ts. 

Exploring nature can help youth improve their relationship skills and  reduce stress, anger and aggression. Research shows that youth who regularly interact with their natural environment are  better communicators, better cooperators and misbehave less than peers. 

Green County 4-H is looking to start a 4-H  Outdoor Club. Possible activities includes hikes, rafting, canoeing, camping, zip lining, snow tubing, etc. We will also cover topics like first aid, wildlife safety, survival skills, etc. 

The first meeting will be March 2 at 6:00pm at the 4-H offi ce. This will be a family club: youth, parents, and relatives are welcome to attend and join in the fun. If you know an adult who might be willing to help with a specifi c activity, please  contact the 4-H office. 
Register by calling the 4-H offi ce by February 28.

Horse Club
4-H will have an orientation meeting to talk about horse programs available to youth in Green County. Interested adults and  youth should attend. For most youth educational options and state 4-H sponsored shows, youth are required to have six educational hours provided by a certifi ed 4-H volunteer horse leader. We are looking for a person to serve in this role.  This orientation meeting is scheduled for February 13 at 6:00pm CT at the 4-H offi ce in the large meeting room in the rear of the building.

We have a “family” 4-H horse club that is focused more on showing. They meet about six times a year and sponsor four horse shows. If your interest are in showing, you are welcome to attend the next Tri-County Saddle Club meeting  scheduled for February 20 at 5:30pm at the 4-H offi ce. This meeting is for youth and adults. You can earn points for  competing in shows and be eligible for year end awards. 

For more information about horse programs in Green County, contact your Green County 4-H office.

Speech and Demos
4-H’s annual showcase is a celebration of communications and set for April 18 starting at 6pm. The event includes the local  contest for speeches and Demonstrations. Champions advance to the Area Showcase on May 9th at Lindsey Wilson College. Youth interested must register by April 14. For more details, contact the 4-H offi ce. County winners who participate in the area showcase will receive a $75 summer camp scholarship. 

Demonstration Contest
The Demonstration Contest allows 4-H’ers to show how to do something they enjoy. The time limit is 15 minutes for most  categories. Competition is against other 4-H’ers based upon age and categories. There are sixteen categories in each age division. 

Speech Contest
The 4-H speech contest allows youth to compete against youth who are the same age. The speech may be on any topic. Youth ages 9-13 (as of January 1, 2023) should prepare a speech that is 3-5 minutes; senior 4-Hers should prepare a  speech 5-7 minutes.

Register by April 14.

International Club
The February meeting of the 4-H International Club will be held on February 22 from 2:45pm-4:30pm CT. The club learns  about new countries by sampling their food, games and culture. The free club is open to youth in grades 4-12. 

First time participating youth must register by Feb 17. 

Register by Feb 17 with completed 4-H Participant Information & Enrollment Form.

Capitol Experience
Join youth from across our state as we experience our state capitol and join the legislative process on March 13-14. We leave Monday around noon and return by 5pm on Tuesday. $30 per youth includes lodging and tours. Youth responsible  for two fast food meals. Limited to ten youth in grades 6-12.

Register by February 24 with completed 4-H Participant Information & Enrollment Form.

Cookie Contest
February’s contest is a baking event. Turn in three Snickerdoodle cookies to the 4-H offi ce by February 20, 6:00pm. This  recipe must be used. It’s 4-H’s offi cial recipe. All entries will receive a prize and the “Master Chef” will get 4-H Cooking apron.

SNICKERDOODLES
Ingredients
1½ cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2¾ cups all-purpose fl our
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 400° F.
2. In a large bowl, cream together sugar, butter, vanilla and eggs.
3. Add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt to creamed mix; blend well. 
4. Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a small bowl.
5. Shape dough in 1” balls.
6. Roll balls in sugar mixture.
7. Place balls 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies spring back when lightly touched with the fingers.
9. Use a spatula to remove the hot cookies from the sheet. Cool on a rack. When cool, store cookies in an air tight container.

Make a Diff erence in Our Community’s Youth
Agriculture is vital to the livelihood of every Kentuckian and it is through programs like 4-H and FFA that we continue to instill  these values in youth. Each simple $10 donation made when renewing an Ag Tag culminates to have a major impact on the  youth of Green County. 
Kentucky 4-H is one of the most important and infl uential youth programs in our state and our county. Across Kentucky, over  290,000 youth ages 9 to 19 learn about leadership, citizenship and life skills in “learn-by-doing” experiences such as communications and public speaking, through agriculture projects like livestock, gardening, science projects with robotics,  4-H camp, Teen Conference, and many other 4-H programs and activities.

As we look to February and March for 2023 Ag Tag renewals, we ask that you remember to make your voluntary donations  on each farm license plate you renew. If every Green Countian renewing an Ag Tag were to make the voluntary $10  donation, $21,000 could be raised! Think of the impact that could have on your community and its future leaders!

Please help us in growing leaders, strengthening the agriculture community and funding opportunities for Green County youth this year through Ag Tag voluntary donations! If you have questions or would like to support Green County 4-H  directly, please reach out to us.