4-H Round Up at the Clinton County Fair

           What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “Fair”?  Many will think of Cotton Candy, Farris Wheels and carnival games, but a 4-H Member will think of so much more!  The first picture to enter their minds may be of winning a first place ribbon with their project.  They may remember hanging out in the barns with their friends or they may think of the hours they spend working in the 4-H food booth.  No matter what picture comes to their mind, most Clinton County 4-H members look forward to the Clinton County Fair all year long.

Clinton County 4-H Round Up will be held at the Clinton County Fair, August 4-11, 2012.  Members have been involved in 4-H clubs and have worked on their projects all year long leading up to this time when they get to exhibit them and compete with other 4-H members.  If you walk through the barns and buildings at the Fair, you will see projects in the areas of horticulture, science, crafts, livestock, horses, technology and much more.  This is the chance for 4-H members to show off a year’s worth of hard work and dedication.

This year will be a little extra special as we celebrate the Pennsylvania 4-H Centennial.  There are all kinds of events planned to celebrate this special occasion as well as the accomplishments of 4-H members and the support of 4-H volunteers.  During the fair’s opening ceremonies, some 4-H history will be shared as well as the recognition of 4-H members throughout the years.  On Wednesday, August 8^th, Oreo games will be held at the Auxiliary Stage as a fun way to share the 4-H Centennial with the Centennial of Oreo and Weis Markets.  A line dance will follow this event in the 4-H building.  Thursday morning will kick off with a special breakfast for 4-H members and a scavenger hunt will be held for all children at noon meeting at the 4-H Food Booth.  The 4-H picnic will be held that evening with a special birthday cake for Pennsylvania 4-H.  Horse and livestock shows will be held daily throughout the week and the 4-H and FFA Livestock Sale will be held on Saturday, August 11^th beginning at 6pm.  A livestock buyer’s dinner will be held at 4pm prior to the livestock sale.  The 4-H Food Booth will be open all week from 8am-5:30pm.  Stop by to enjoy homemade sloppy joes, grilled chicken sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, veggies and dip and all of your favorite concession treats! It will be a very busy week with many opportunities to support the 4-H youth of Clinton County. 

The Clinton County Fair is a great visit for all ages.  There are many educational events for the children and entertainment for everyone.  The events mentioned above are only a small portion of what is offered throughout fair week.  If you’ve never been to the Clinton County Fair, you will definitely want to pencil in some time to head out this week because it just might be the best one yet!

Help Needed

I'm working on a 4-H human timeline to mark each decade of 4-H in Clinton County in celebration of the 4-H Centennial.  So, if anyone has any information that would help me out, i'd greatly appreciate it.  As you can imagine I'm having trouble finding members before 1942.  So, if anyone has any names of people that would have been a member before that time or if you know when 4-H started in Clinton County, please share.  rad5003@psu.edu or 570-726-0022

Attention Swine Exhibitors

Due to the extreme heat that hit our area early this year and the raising of the minimum weight for pigs it has been decided to lower the minimum weight for pigs back down to 210 pounds for this year’s fair in hopes of giving more kids the opportunity to get their pigs up to weight and eligible to compete at the fair.

Livestock Buyer's Packet Information

It’s that time of year when many of you will be working to secure buyers for the livestock sale at the fair.  A buyer’s packet has been sent to each of last year’s buyers.  However, we do encourage each of you to be talking to potential buyers to encourage them to come and support the sale.  You can find the packet of information you will need to share with them at http://extension.psu.edu/clinton/programs/4-h/members/livestock/buyers-packet.  Please let Wayne or Becky know if you have any questions.

4-H Activity Sponsorships and Donations for the Food Booth

I would like to remind you about obtaining sponsorships for 4-H activities at the fair.  The original deadline was July 1^st, but I would like to extend this deadline to July 20^th since we have not received any sponsorships.  Please note that we are accepting well wishes and one-liners this year.  This may be the perfect opportunity for families and small businesses. The form can be found at http://extension.psu.edu/clinton/programs/4-h/members/fairweek-information/4-h-activities-at-the-fair-sponsor-form/view.  Please share with friends relatives and local businesses.  If each family could obtain one sponsorship, just think how much of an impact that would make!

I have had also inquiries about donating items to the food booth.  A list of items that can be donated is located at http://extension.psu.edu/clinton/programs/4-h/members/fairweek-information/Food%20Booth%20Items%20to%20be%20Donated%20-%20Edited%2002-13-12.pdf/view.  Please let Rebecca Sellers know of any donations by July 20^th.

Clinton County 4-H Members Compete in Public Speaking Contest

Not many people have the gumption to voluntarily speak in front of a crowd, let alone when they are to be judged on their performance; however five Clinton County 4-H members successfully tried their hand at impressing the judges at the Public Speaking Contest held in the Learning Center at the Education and Resource Center in Mill Hall.

Contestants were judged on criteria including their delivery, organization and general appearance as they spoke with poise and shined with confidence. Madison Weaver took first place on her Senior Speech entitled, “King of the Rabbits.” Destiny Stover took first place on her Senior Presentation about the importance of properly preparing your rabbits to show. Olivia Benna took first place in her Junior Presentation about checking your horse’s vital signs, while Morgan Kerstetter and Kayla Kimble were a close second and third.

The evening concluded with an ice cream social where contestants, judges, family and friends bonded over make-‘em-yourself sundaes that made everyone feel like a winner!

                              

    

4-H Campers Walk Across Pennsylvania

These days, every other word of caution we hear is about staying active and getting fit. Bringing up a generation of youth that is not plagued with obesity is a new American passion, which is why 4-H decided to undertake an impressive challenge during their four days of 4-H Camp at Camp Kanesetake in Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is approximately three-hundred miles long or 1,584,000 feet. The average human step is about two and a half feet long, so that would mean that a person would have to take 633,600 steps in order to walk across Pennsylvania. And that is just what the tribes of 4-H members did together during their time at Camp Kanesetake.

Each tribe had about ­­thirty members and together, nearly met their goal of three-hundred miles walked! Pedometers were given to each child at the beginning of the four day camp. At the end of each day, the number of steps taken by each child was recorded. The 4-H members met this challenge by participating in relays, recreational games, early morning jogs, nature walks and of course just getting from one place to the next on Camp Kanesetake’s extensive facilities.

4-H Camp is made possible by Penn State Extension as a time to not only relax and catch up with good friends, but also to educate children about the strides they must take to help themselves and their communities.

Eight Pennsylvania counties participated in 4-H camp this year with over one-hundred and fifty campers ages eight to fifteen. When the 4-H’ers weren’t busy in workshops that ranged in topics from CSI investigations and science to self esteem and leadership, they were swimming in the enormous pool, catching fish, cooking over camp fires, taking off from the six-hundred and fifty foot zip line and making crafts. This year’s camp, which took place during the Pennsylvania 4-H Centennial, was one to be remembered by all who participated.

Written by:  Lauren Dwyer, 4-H Summer Program Assistant

Photographed from bottom left: Rylin Pacella, Caven Etters, Lane Harbach, Dakota Cox, Tanner Bierly

Second Row: Jalissa Scheckengast, Michaela Geyer, Alison Benna, Kaite Hendricks, Olivia Benna

Third Row: Madison Weaver, Erinn Cavanaugh, Nikaelin Pacella, Keri Ford, Ellie Weaver

Forth Row: Aaron Harback, Tanner Weaver, Blaze Bierly, Chesney Weaver, Spring Martin

Fifth Row: Dakota McCloskey, Kayla Kimble, Kristin Cavanaugh, Hunter Weaver, Joseph Rankinen

Sixth Row: Lauren Dwyer, Jocelyn Pruss, Tara Mazotta, Kyleigh Lachat, Chelsea Geyer

July 2012 Newsletter and Fair items

 The July Clover Patch is now available at https://extension.psu.edu/clinton/programs/4-h/members.  You can also find Fair related items at that location.

Poultry Banding and Blood Testing

Attention Clinton County Poultry Kids: 

Don't forget to get your poultry blood tested and banded either today or tomorrow at the fairgrounds.  The Bechdel's are there and ready to get you registered.

Public Speaking Contest Results

Congratulations Public Speaking Winners!

1st Place Senior Speech- Madison Weaver
1st Place Senior Presentation- Destiny Stover
1st Place Junior Presentation- Olivia Benna
2nd Place Junior Presentation- Morgan Kerstetter
3rd Place Junior Presentation- Kayla Kimble