Ready for 2011?

It is hard to believe that 2011 is here already. Why are we always so surprised? All 4-H families should be ready to sign up and sign on to all the great 4-H activities in store. Here is a list to help you get ready:

Important 4-H Dates for You to Remember 2011

January 3……………………………Deadline for Senior LAW registration to Pinellas 4-H Office
January 18………………………….4-H Advisory Meeting @ PCE 6:00 p.m.
January 14………………………….Deadline to register for State Fair booth
( http://florida4h.org/events/showcase.shtm)
January 14………………………….County Council Meeting @Ochs 6:30
January 21 – 23………………… Senior Leadership Adventure Weekend @ Camp Ocala
( http://florida4h.org/events/LAW.shtml)
January 31………………………….Deadline to register for Intermediate State to Pinellas Office
( http://florida4h.org/events/Int_State.shtml)
February 10 –21………………… Florida State Fair @ Tampa Fairgrounds
February 12……………………… 4-H Showcase @ Florida State Fair & 4-H Day at the Fair
February 18 – 20…………………Intermediate State @ Camp Ocala
February 19…………………………4-H Day at the Fair
March 2 ………………………………Deadline for Night of the Arts Registration
March 11 …………………………….Night of the Arts @ Northwest Church of Christ
March 18 – 20……………………. Third Executive Board @ Camp Cherry Lake
March 28…………………………… Deadline to register for Demonstration Day
April 9 ……………………………… .Demonstration Day @ PCE
April 16……………………………… .District Congress @ PCE (for Junior and Intermediate 4-H’ers)
April 19……………………………… 4-H Advisory Meeting @ PCE
April 27……………………………… 4-H Day @ the Capitol in Tallahassee
April 29-May 1…………………… .Area E @Florida Fairgrounds
May 8 ………………………………….District Events (Tentative – Pasco County hosts)
June 10……………………………… .Leader, Volunteer, Donor Banquet @ PCE
June 20 – 24…………………………4-H Legislature in Tallahassee
June 30…………………………………Club Level Project Judging Sheets Due
July 7-9…………………………………State Horse Show
July 11-15……………………………...Camp Ocala
July 19…………………………………...Projects Due for County Judging
July 19 ………………………………… .4-H Expansion & Review Meeting @ PCE
July 25 – 29……………………………4-H Congress in Gainesville
August 19……………………………….Awards & Recognition Banquet @ PCE

If you have any questions about these events, please contact me at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.

Spring and Summer 4-H Events

Just when it seems the spring couldn't get any busier, the registration paperwork for the summer events arrive. Here is a summary of what is going on and links to the forms you will need. Just remember that almost all forms have to be returned to the Pinellas County 4-H Office.

• District 9 Events is May 8 in Hillborough County. All the blue ribbon winners from district-wide County Events will compete. In Pinellas, Junior and Intermediate winners receive a scholarship to 4-H Camp Ocala and Senior winners receive a scholarship to 4-H State Congress.
• District Congress is May 22 and a fun day for Junior and Intermediate 4-H members to explore different project areas. Registrations are due to Hillsborough County May 12, but the event takes place in Polk County.
• Horsemanship School takes place during two weeks in June - one week for English and one for Western. Paperwork should be returned by May17. Here is the link: http://animal.ufl.edu/youth/horse/HorsemanshipSchool.shtml.
• 4-H Legislature in Tallahassee is June 21-25. Registration is closed, but information is available at http://florida4h.org/events/leg.shtml.
• Camp Ocala is July 12-16 for ages 8- 18. The packet is now ready and will be available at District Events. The cost is $195, although scholarships are available. Packets can be requested through jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org.
• 4-H State Congress takes on the University of Florida campus July 26-30. This event is open to Senior 4-H members. Registration is now open; the cost is $220 for the week. Information can be at http://florida4h.org/events/congress.shtml.

4-H events are a great way to spend the summer!

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.

4-H'ers Have a Blast at Camp Ocala

This past June, 4-H’ers from four District 9 counties gathered at 4-H Camp Ocala for a great time making new friends having fun, and even learning. Pinellas County is joined by Polk, Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties for this week-long adventure in the Ocala National Forest. In addition to the beautiful forest scenery, campers also enjoy the nearly pristine Lake Sellers. By the end of the week, most campers had a summer’s worth of stories, camp songs, and tall tales to share with friends and family.

Campers participated in a variety of activities all week long. They also choose one County Class they attend for a class period each day. This year’s County Classes included the Press Team. This group spent their class time each day interviewing campers and taking pictures. By Friday morning the team had published a camp newspaper and “delivered” one to each camper. The Rocketry classes spent their week building rockets and then launching them for the whole camp to watch. Some of the rockets gained such attitude, they temporarily disappeared from sight. One of the biggest classes was Ball Room Dancing. It was nicely balanced by the Hip Hop Fitness class taught by counselor Katy Wheeler. In all, campers could choose from ten County Classes.

At Thursday night’s candle lighting ceremony, Brian Sackett of the King’s English 4-H club, was honored as the Junior Head 4-H Spirit. The Spirits include Head, Heart, Hands, Health, and Spirit. The adults and senior counselors look for campers who exemplify the values of 4-H. Brian was overwhelmingly elected Junior Head.

One of the highlights of the week was Wednesday’s flag retirement ceremony at campfire. Fourteen of the senior camp counselors each read a narrative piece that described the history, meaning, and importance of our flag. Many of the campers had tears in their eyes as they thought of their family members who were in Iraq or other places overseas.

In addition to the campers, there was a family of three sandhill cranes that spent the day walking around the camp, looking for good things to eat in the ground. When another sandhill family landed at the camp, they were noisily chased away by the adult cranes of the first family. Every year these birds raise one or two babies right in the middle of camp.

The Ocala National Forest is home to a great variety of wildlife. Bears, foxes, and bobcat have all been spotted in the area. This year mysterious tracks were spotted next to the camp. Suggested identities range from a panther to the neighbor’s dog. In any case, the story of the tracks will be the next tall tale from Camp Ocala.

Pinellas 4-H camps for one week each summer at Camp Ocala. For more information about the 4-H camp or environmental education program, please contact Jean Rogalsky at jrogalsk@pinellascounty.org. And keep reading the 4-H blog.