Join the 4-H Expansion and Review Committee

The 4-H Expansion and Review Committee is a group of interested persons who meet annually to assess the current 4-H program. This group is actually part of the 4-H Advisory. Once a year the Advisory invites other community members to join them to discuss not only the current state of the program, but new ways to increase the reach of the program. Members bring to the meeting their own perspectives and ideas. If you are asking who should join this committee, the answer is anyone who cares about youth or the state of their community. Isn't that you?
You don't have to be a 4-H leader or even be knowledgeable of 4-H to join. The recruitment goal of the committee is to be geographically and demographically representative of Pinellas County. Just think, you could be the person who has the idea or knows the contact that could change a child's life for the better.
This year's meeting of the 4-H Expansion and Review Committee will take place July 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Pinellas County Extension Office. If interested in participating in this meeting, or if you have questions, please contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org or (727) 582-2597.

Marine Ecology Field Trip July 10

Come join 4-H members and parents interested in Marine Science for a tour of New College Marine Lab and Mote Marine in Sarasota. The guided tour of the New College Marine Lab will begin at 9:30 am. There will be a guided tour of the facility including a Hawaiian Tank, local fish, living corals and a 10000 gallon fish haven. We will eat a picnic lunch before proceeding to Mote Marine ($12.00 admission) for the afternoon. We would do a self guided tour of the Mote Institute and head back home between 3:30 and 4 p.m.

This will be a great opportunity for 4-H members interested in participating in the Marine Ecology Event in November. Many of the organisms will be on display to view up close and personal. Even if you do not plan to go in November to Kissimmee, it is a good opportunity to see the many fascinating marine organisms that you do not have ready access to.

Bus transportation can be arranged if we have a minimum of 20 participants. The cost for the day would be $30.00 per person for all transportation and admission to Mote Marine. The bus will leave the Pinellas Extension Office at 8:00 a.m. If we have less than 20 we will have to carpool. Please confirm by June 18. A deposit of 12.00 per person (the cost at Mote Marine) is due on June 18. Any balance will be due 1 week before the tour. We will need a minimum of 3 adults with the tour. Contact Betty Lipe to receive your registration form at blipe@pinellascounty.org.

4-H Leaders, Volunteers, and Donors

It is time to celebrate our 100 years of success in Florida 4-H. The annual 4-H Leader, Volunteer, and Donor banquet will take place June 12 at the Pinellas County Extension Office. This year the celebration will be extra special as we continue to celebrate our Florida 4-H Centennial. Recognition of our adult volunteers and donors is as important to 4-H as is recognition of youth achievements.

Many people think the only way to volunteer for 4-H is to be a club leader. The invitation list to the annual dinner is testament to the variety of ways one can volunteer with 4-H. In addition to the club leaders, we also have activity and project leaders who may volunteer with more than one club. Fair and competent judges for 4-H events is a critical need, so we are sure to recognize these volunteers, even though we may only see them two or three times a year. Advisory Committee and Foundation members meet regularly to provide direction to the 4-H program and are an important group of volunteers. Other volunteers help with clerical tasks in the office and may never see a 4-H club meeting.

4-H donors are also a varied group. They may be an organized group like the Pinellas County Farm Bureau or the Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg. Many times they are individuals who donate to support a project or to send a deserving child to 4-H camp. Some donors remember the great times they had as a 4-H'er and make an annual general donation.

One very special donor is the Pinellas County 4-H Foundation who is sponsoring this event.

So if you are a 4-H volunteer or donor, watch your e-mail for your invitation. If you are not a volunteer, and want more information, please contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org for more information.

Are You Ready for 4-H Camp Ocala?

The long awaited camp packets are ready and are available at the Pinellas 4-H Office. This 4-H residential camp is open to all registered Pinellas 4-H members. Be sure to complete and return your packet, filled out completely with all necessary forms and signatures and a $50 deposit, as soon as possible. Space is limited, so don't be left behind. The cost is $195 for the week and includes everything except transportation.
You may download the packet and checklist here:
http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/blog_4H/2009_Camp_Packet.pdf

http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/blog_4H/checklist_camp_documents.pdf

Save the date! Camp orientation will be June 15 at 6:30 at the Pinellas Extension Office. Camp counselor training will be in Pasco County June 5th. If you are interested in applying for a camp counselor, please contact Pinellas 4-H Agent Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

District IX 4-H Congress May 16

District IX 4-H Congress will be held at the Manatee County Extension Office on May 16th. District Congress is a fun, educational opportunity for Junior and Intermediate 4-Hers ages 8-13. 4-Hers participate in workshops and activities designed to develop leadership skills and learn about opportunities available in 4-H. At District Congress 2009, will have a Florida 4-H 100th Birthday Party! This year's workshops will reflect on the 100th anniversary of Florida 4-H as we celebrate a, "Century of Youth Success!" Classes offered this year are:

• Leather Crafts


• Orienteering


• Bullying Prevention


• The Power of Wind


• Healthy Cooking


• Community Service


• Sewing


• Hydroponics


• Decorated Wood Crafts

To see a description of the classes and download the registration form, go to: http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/4-H/pdf/2009DCInfoReg.pdf

The registration fee is $5.00 and is due with the registration form to the Sarasota County 4-H Office by May 7st. If you have questions, please contact Sean Russell District IX 4-H Council President : (941)-504-3245 or sdscience@verizon.net

4-H Operation Military Kids Summer Camps 2009: Building Life Skills through Outdoor Adventure

Canoeing, Kayaking, Swimming, Archery, Sports, Arts, Crafts, Camp Fires, Dancing and a Military Fun Day with Soldiers, Equipment and Displays!! If you think you might enjoy these activities, then do we have a camp for you!! Join us as Florida 4H, Operation: Military Kids and the Florida National Guard join forces to offer military children of all branches and components a low-cost and exciting summer camp opportunity for 2009. Cost for each 5-day residential camp is $50 for the Active, Guard, and Reserve components and $170 for retiree and non-military youth. The Senior Camp is $220 for retiree and non-military youth.

Operation: Military Kids Summer Camps ‘09 - “Building Life Skills through Outdoor Adventure” will be held on three separate occasions for children 8 to 12 years old beginning at Camp Ocala located on beautiful Lake Sellers in the Ocala National Forest in Altoona, Florida June 22-26, 2009.

The second camping experience will be at Camp Timpoochee located just minutes from the “Emerald Coast” beaches in Destin, Florida July 13-17, 2009.

And finally, we close out the OMK Summer Camps ’09 experience by returning to Camp Ocala July 27-31, 2009.

All cabins at Camp Ocala and Camp Timpoochee are air-conditioned.

Before we close the summer with our younger kids, we are also offering a Senior Camp for teens 13-18 from July 20th through the 24th. This will be held at Camp Cherry Lake located on scenic Cherry Lake just 14 miles north of Madison, Florida. This camp is a place to grow, learn about nature and make new friends. Rustic cabins, an open-air pavilion, a dining hall and an auditorium are all nestled among beautiful live oaks on gently sloping banks. What a great place to enjoy all these exciting activities while networking to forge bonds that can last a lifetime!

These weeks have been set aside to honor military kids and are full of learning, fun activities and much, much more. It’s guaranteed to provide them with an exciting Outdoor Adventure they’ll never forget!

ALL forms and money must be received by MAY 15th

Campers must be 8 years of age by June 1, 2009. Senior Campers must be 13 years of age by September 1, 2008.

Download your camp brochure at the Florida OMK website.

Lots of fun activities and YOU can have it all!! Don’t wait, sign-up today!!

For more information or assistance:
Cliff Lewis, OMK State Coordinator
Phone: 863-519-8677
email: sgmlewis@ufl.edu

4-H Cloverleaf is Now Online Only!

In order to reduce cost and increase sustainability the 4-H Cloverleaf is now online. That means you will no longer receive your copy every other month in your postal box. If you have completed your annual membership or volunteer enrollment and provided us with your email address you will receive it via email. If you are not sure if 4-H has your current email you can email Shelley at ssarabia@pinellascounty.org and provide her with it. We will also continue to post it on the 4-H website and here on the 4-H blog. On the blog you can subscribe to the blog, which will not only deliver your 4-H Cloverleaf to your inbox, but all of the other posts about activities and events that come up. So here is the April 2009 4-H Cloverleaf!
http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/4-H/cloverleaf/April2009.pdf