February Club Meetings, Events, and Activites

 

    WE4-H!

You will find information below regarding our upcoming club meetings, activities, & events. You are welcome to contact the Giles County Extension Office to sign up/RSVP for any of these activities. We would also be happy to answer any questions!

Upcoming Club Meetings:

• Monday, Feb. 3- Narrows Now 4-H Club Meeting. Meet with us at 6:30pm at the Narrows Community Center for our monthly club meeting. Youth, 5-19 and their families are encouraged to attend! We will be making snowflakes and learning about what makes each of us unique!
• Friday, Feb. 14- Newport 4-H Club Meeting. Children will have the opportunity to participate in Valentine’s Day crafts, and may bring their favorite pillow or blanket to enjoy a movie with snacks and popcorn.  Settle in for a fun night with your friends at 4-H!  Parents may enjoy the night out while children participate in supervised fun and fellowship. Join us at the Newport-Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church from 6pm to 8pm. Please R.S.V.P at the phone number or Facebook page listed below.  Please let us know if your plans may keep you past 8pm, and we may accommodate.
• Wednesday, Feb. 19- 4-H Teen Leadership Club Meeting. All Giles County teenagers are invited to join our teen only club! Our Feb. meeting will being at 7pm at the Giles County Extension Office in Pearisburg. The members will be presenting their Public Speaking Showcase!
• Monday, Feb. 24- Rich Creek 4-H Club Meeting at the Rich Creek Library beginning at 6:30pm. This growing club welcomes new members, youth ages 5-19 and their families. In January members learned about public speaking, join us in Feb. for our Public Speaking Showcase!

Important Deadlines to mark on your calendar:

• Feb 7- Registration Deadline for Statewide Teen Weekend
• Feb 14- Discount for camp registration ends
• Feb 21-23- 2014 Statewide Teen Weekend
• Mar 21- CIT and Teen Counselor Application Packets due at the Extension Office- contact us to get yours today! (or select the link above)
• Mar 28- Teen Counselors notified of acceptance
• Mar 28- Registration for camp training at 4-H Center due at the Extension Office
• Apr 4- 4-H Camp Scholarship Application due at the Extension Office
• Apr 11- Camp Open House/Registration at the Extension Office (9am-6:30pm)
• Apr 12- Teen Counselor and Adult Volunteer Training at the 4-H Center
• Jun 9- Pre-Camp meeting for all camp participants, parents and guardians. Tentative Location: Pearisburg Community Center Cafeteria

You can register NOW and save for  

4-H Summer Camp!

 Did you know that you can give the gift of 4-H Summer Camp to your child or grandchild this year?

June 23-27, 2014

Reserve your spot today & receive a discount on camp registration! Early registration fee (until Feb. 14): $255.00, Camper fee, $240.00 Counselor-in-training fee, $120.00 Counselor fee

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Giles County 4-H Day Camping Series

Each camp is limited to 10 participants; sign up early to claim your spot!

Cloverbud

July 7-11

Forestry

July 14-18

Outdoor Adventure

Camp #1 July 21-25                     Camp #2 August 18-22 

We have new ways to share information with you!!

 We have recently launched a Giles County 4-H Blog and you should check it out, bookmark it, & follow it!

On our blog you will find information about upcoming camps all over the state, new clubs and volunteer opportunities, as well as pictures and stories from past meeting, events, and activities.

You can also access our blog and Facebook pages via our Giles County Extension Office website: http://offices.ext.vt.edu/giles/

Sincerely,

Cora Gnegy, 4-H Agent

507 Wenonah Ave

Pearisburg, VA 24134

(540) 921-3455

cgnegy@vt.edu

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Giles4H

Visit our new Blog: http://gilescounty4h.blogspot.com

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What is 4-H?

4-H is a comprehensive youth development program of Virginia Cooperative Extension. Young people, ages 5-19 engage in hands-on learning experiences under the guidance if 4-H Extension Agents & trained adults or teen 4-H volunteers.

4-H Motto:

To Make the Best Better!

4-H Summer Camp Information & Registration

It's hard to believe that registration is OPEN for our 

June 23-27, 2014 4-H Summer Camp,

held at the W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center.

Below you will find information for campers, CIT's, and Teen Counselors. Read on...


Scholarship applications are offered based on 4-H involvement and financial need. All applications are due to the Giles 4-H Extension Office by April 4, 2014. Recipients will be notified within 3 business days.

All Campers, CITs, and Teen Counselors will need to submit a 4-H Summer Camp Registration Brochure. Notice that there is a discount available if paid in full by February 14!

If you were 13 on January 1, 2014 you are eligible to be a Counselor-in-Training (CIT)! You can complete a registration brochure and the CIT Application Packet. This needs to be turned into the Extension Office by March 21, 2014.

If you have been a CIT at camp, are in at least 8th grade, or 14 by January 1, 2014 you are eligible to become a 4-H Camp Teen Counselor! Congratulations! You must complete the registration brochure and the Teen Counselor Application Packet.  This packet must be returned to the Extension Office by March 21, 2014. Submitting an application packet does not guarantee you can attend 4-H Camp as a Teen Counselor. You will receive information regarding your acceptance from the 4-H Agent by March 28, 2014.

The Camp Leadership Application is also included in the Teen Counselor Application Packet. As a reminder- this is for Pack Bigs and Littles and the Giles County Eagle! All of these must also be returned by March 21, 2014. (You must be a 4-H Teen Counselor to apply for this camp leadership role.)

Dates to remember:

• February 14th- Discount for camp registration ends
• March 21st- CIT and Teen Counselor Application Packets due at the Extension Office
• March 28th- Teen Counselors notified of acceptance
• March 28th- Registration for camp training at 4-H Center due at the Extension Office
• April 4th- 4-H Camp Scholarship Application due at the Extension Office
• April 11th- Camp Open House/Registration at the Extension Office (9am-6:30pm)
• April 12th- Teen Counselor and Adult Volunteer Training at the 4-H Center
• June 9th- Pre-Camp meeting for all camp participants, parents and guardians. Tentative Location: Pearisburg Community Center Cafeteria 
• June 23rd-27th- 4-H SUMMER CAMP!!!!!!!! 

4-H ________?

I recently received an email asking what all Giles County 4-H has going on these days. 4-H has evolved and changed as the needs and demands on youth and families have changed. Our Giles County program is different than surrounding counties because it is for OUR YOUTH. All 4-H programs, in all counties in Virginia and all states, share the same foundation and goals- POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. Below is my response to the inquiry- (let us know which 4-H programs, clubs, and events you want to be a part of! Contact the Giles County Extension office Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm)

"Hi!

Rich Creek 4-H Club Members at a monthly meeting

We have A LOT of opportunities and variety in Giles County 4-H these days. My goal is to build a stronger community/project club presence in Giles. Currently we have four clubs that are community clubs (Rich Creek, Narrows, Teen, and Newport). To be a 4-Her in these groups a young person must 1) have paperwork on file, 2) participate in club activities (monthly meetings, service projects, and fun events), and 3) enroll in an individual project area. Project areas include everything! Some examples include: sewing, cooking, fashion review, woodworking, animal care, livestock, shooting sports, photography, fishing, outdoor adventure, community service, leadership, public speaking, gardening, insects, small engines, etc. You can get an idea of the variety by following this link. We then have two project clubs that all club members have a specific focus (Horsin’ Around 4-H Club & Ag-Explorers Ag-ventures Club). These 4-Her’s complete horse or agriculture related projects & activities. We are currently in the process of starting a competitive shooting sports club. All clubs (except the shooting sports) are open to youth ages 5-19. All these groups meet monthly and have a program of work/events for the entire year.

4-H Character Counts & Health Rocks After-School Program

We also have three after-school 4-H clubs/programs. Macy’s program is focused on Character Education; Eastern’s is LEGO robotics; and Narrows in Child Care or Babysitting. We have various 4-H programs and short term groups throughout the year. For example we have cake decorating, geocaching, wildlife, dramatic reading, and a pumpkin planting workshop. These groups may have additional restrictions for enrollment because of the nature of the event. We also have developed and offer a “School’s Out” program. That program offers free, educational programming on many of the days during the school year when students have off because of teacher work days or holidays. We have hosted three so far this year and have three more coming up!

In VA 4-H, camping is a huge component. For Giles County we offer scholarships and transportation to all 4-H centers for various camps run by the 4-H center (recent blog post showcases those). We also have our Day Camping Series in the summer. This summer will be four weeks long and youth can sign up for one of all weeks. I’m currently finalizing the details on those.

I then offer specialized 4-H programming as needed. The tree seedling program is an example, but I’ve also done VA agricultural products, natural resources, public speaking, presentations, healthy living and dramatic reading. These programs usually take place in the school classroom or with youth church groups or groups like American Heritage Girls, Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts.

2013 Cloverbud Day Camp participants with VCE Summer Intern.

We have all sorts of competitive opportunities for youth that can be built around a club structure, such as consumer sciences, natural resources, STEM, public speaking, and forestry. We also have domestic and international exchange opportunities. There are countless other opportunities in 4-H. The thing I love about 4-H is, if there is enough interest and/or need we can develop ANYTHING that supports positive youth development.

All of our programs are open to residents and families of Giles County and are usually free of cost. Our blog, Facebook page, and website are good places to find current offerings with Giles County 4-H. I have brochures and marketing items here at the office. We have started distributing a monthly newsletter for people on our email list. And we also publish articles and advertisements in the Virginian Leader and on Ch. 2.  (We have A LOT of great opportunities for youth and their families!) – I’d be happy to provide anything to help you spread the word of what we have. "

-What do you think!? We have a lot going on- we'll be seeing you soon!

4-H Camping Opportunities Galore!

Hello again 4-H friends and families!

Even though it may not be the warmest of months, there are plenty of ways to stay active with 4-H camping opportunities! Below are camp names, dates, and locations- if one sounds interesting to you and your family please click the link to be directed to the registration brochure or call us at 540-921-3455 for more information. (Take note-some events have discounts offered for Giles County 4-Hers!)

Natural Resources Weekend- Jan 24-26, Deadline Jan 21 at Holiday Lake 4-H Center. Ages 9-19. 1/2 off when registering through the Giles County Extension Office. Transportation may be provided.

4-H LEGO Robotics Camp- Feb 8-9, Deadline Jan 29 at Skelton 4-H Center. Ages 9-13. Must provide own transportation. The 4-H office will help coordinate carpooling.

Statewide Teen Weekend- Feb 21-23, Deadline Feb 7 at Northern VA 4-H Center. Ages 13-19. 1-2 off when registering through the Giles County Extension Office. Transportation provided.

Winter Wonderland Cloverbud Camp- Feb 22-23, Deadline Feb 7 at Skelton 4-H Center. Ages 5-8 & parents! Must provide own transportation. The 4-H office will help coordinate carpooling.

Arts & Technology Weekend- Feb 21-23, Deadline Feb 11 at Jamestown 4-H Center. Ages 9-13. Performing arts, painting, crafts, and videography workshops! Center offers payment options. Must provide own transportation. The 4-H office will help coordinate carpooling.

Spring Cloverbud: The Cloverbud Balance- March 15-16, Deadline March 5 at the Jamestown 4-H Center. Ages 5-8. Center offers payment options. Transportation may be provided.

We have also released our 2014 4-H Camp brochure! This means you can now begin registering for our June 23-27 camp camp at the Skelton 4-H Center! There is a discount offered if paid in full by February 14th. Please click THIS LINK for the brochure and HERE for the scholarship application (scholarship application due April 4th).

This information can also be found on 

our Giles County 4-H Facebook page!

Have a wonderful afternoon 4-H friends!

Giles Lead Slingers- 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Happy New Year everyone! You may find this information helpful if you have an interest in learning about volunteer opportunities with the new Giles Lead Slingers, our 4-H shooting sports club!

We are ready to move forward in preparation for our March 21-23 certification course! The certification course will be held at the Airfield 4-H Center. Please see the 2014 Calendar of Events so you can see the training opportunities as well as competitions, etc. 

At this time I need all adults who are interested in volunteering with this club to complete the Volunteer Enrollment Form (Long Version) and Standards of Behavior. This information needs to be completed so that I can begin the background check process.

As a reminder- before we can start meeting with any of the disciplines I need TWO (2) trained leaders. We will also need at least ONE (1) coordinator to go through the training. The coordinator position may be an excellent way to volunteer if you are interested in being involved but not with the hands-on shooting components. Youth who are 16+ can attend the training to gain the knowledge to help adult volunteers (but they will not be allowed to run practices by themselves). I do not have registration information for the March training as of yet, but will be getting that to you as soon as it becomes available. You can also view the discipline and coordinator volunteer job descriptions for your information.

I am here to answer any questions and can be reached at the Giles County Extension Office. If you would like more information on the Virginia 4-H Shooting Education program, please click this LINK. There are also multiple videos online that showcase 4-H Shooting Sports. Click HERE for one example or see below. I’m looking forward to working with you. Please feel free to forward this message on to others you think may be interested in supporting the Giles Lead Slingers 4-H Shooting Sports Club!