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Put on your calendar...

MAY

24 - Open Horse Riding, Indoor Arena, MC Fairgounds

JUNE       

5 - Artistic Clothing Workshop, 9 – 12 noon, 4-H Building, MC Fairgrounds

8-9 - Morgan County Classic Prospect Show, MC Fairgrounds

12-14 - Livestock Showmanship Camps, Logan County

15-16 - Faris Show Goat Camp, MC Fairgrounds

19-21 - State 4-H Conference, CSU, Fort Collins

24-July 2- Citizenship. . .Washington Focus

25-26 - Massey Show Lamb Camp, MC Fairgrounds

Congratulations to Amanda Sears , a Travelers 4-H member, who was selected as the 2012 Fair Book Cover Contest winner!

2012 Inbound IFYEs to Colorado – HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Families are needed to host IFYE from other countries this summer.  A list of the incoming IFYEs and some description of them is attached.  Stays with host families are usually 2-3 weeks.  Let me know if you can help host.  What a great way to learn about another country and not even have to leave home!

If you are 14 and over, consider attending 2012 Colorado State 4-H Conference at the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins on June 19-21.  4-H to the Xtreme! will include judging contests, workshops, public speaking contests, parliamentary procedure contests, and two dances.  Tentative average cost is $70 registration (+$20 for contests), $105 lodging (3 nights), $55 group meals (+$15 for judging contest award meal) and a meal card for $15-$25.  For an average attendance the cost is about $250.  We can register you for State 4-H Conference starting on May 3.  Don’t miss this great 4-H summer experience.

SHOOTING SPORTS PRACTICES

AIR PISTOL SHOOTING PRACTICE - To be announced.

AIR RIFLE SHOOTING PRACTICE

Practices will be held from 6-8:30 pm. at the Multi-Purpose Building at the Morgan County Fairgrounds.  If you have questions, please call Steve Kehm 542-9291.  

Practice Dates:     MAY 17 & 31 JUNE 7 & 21 JULY 19

COUNTY AIR RIFLE SHOOT: Sunday, July 22

ARCHERY PRACTICE

Archery practice is scheduled for the 1 st and 3 rd Tuesdays from 4 pm at Jon Flair’s home, 21082 MCR 28.5, Brush.  

Practice Dates:    MAY 15 & 29                JUNE 5 & 19        JULY 17

Archery practice is scheduled for the 2 nd and 4 th Thursday at 5:30 pm at Paul Oliveira’s home, 12710 MCR W.5, Weldona. 

 Practice Dates:    MAY 22                      JUNE 12 & 26

COUNTY ARCHERY SHOOT: Sunday, July 22

SHOTGUN

Shotgun practice will be held at Paul Oliveira’s home on the 1 st and 3 rd Wednesday at 5:30 pm.

Practice Dates:   MAY 23         JUNE 13 & 27

COUNTY SHOTGUN SHOOT: To be determined  

SKEET and 5 STAND

Skeet and 5 Stand practice will be held at the Akron Gun Range on the 1 st and 3 rd Sundays at 1pm.

Practice Dates:  MAY 20      JUNE 3 & 17   JULY 1

COUNTY SKEET and 5 STAND SHOOT:  Sunday, July 15

.22 RIFLE

.22 Rifle practice will be held at the Morgan County Gun Club on the 2 nd and 4 th Saturdays at 9 am.

Practice Dates:  MAY 12 & 26   JUNE 9 & 23   JULY 7

COUNTY .22 RIFLE SHOOT:  Saturday, July 21

MUZZLELOADING - Muzzleloading Practices will start Saturday, May 19 th at 4 pm at Muir Springs.  Any questions contact Mark Hanson 768-4261.

DOG OBEDIENCE

– Time is at 6:30 pm for 1 st year dog members and 7:30 pm for second year and above. 

Classes

May 22 and 29, Indoor Arena

June 5, 19 and 26, Indoor Arena

July 10, 17, 24 and 31, Indoor Arena

4-H Interview Judging – August 1

County Dog Show – August 2

Record Books   … Please check your projects with the record books you received.  Make sure you are in the right unit.

Statewide Goals-

One focus for the state 4-H program in 2012 is helping 4-H leaders, 4-H teens and 4-H families learn more about the essential components of 4-H.  Here’s some of the areas that we will try and provide more information to you in the coming year…

• Understanding the local, state and national partners of 4-H
• Four Essential Elements of Youth Development 
• Learning by doing techniques
• Project skills and life skills
• Characteristics of successful youth groups
• Characteristics of different ages of children 
• Elements of community service
• Methods of demonstrations and talks
• Characteristics of effective meetings (see attached information)

Characteristics of effective meetings.  The attached checklist from Wisconsin 4-H is a checklist based on the essential elements of youth development.  Here’s some other tips for  improving your 4-H meetings:

• Start and stop on time.

• Limit meeting time to 1 or 2 hours of well planned activities that will hold interest, help reach goals, and be fun. The club officers and 4-H leaders set the standard for the group.

• Let the officers fulfill their responsibilities.

• Let the president call the meeting to order and be in charge. Let other officers and committee chair persons do their assigned jobs.

• Allow volunteers to help officers develop confidence in their abilities by providing guidance, while remaining in the background.

• Encourage the use of parliamentary procedure.

• Support democratic participation by allowing all members to have a chance to express themselves. Basic parliamentary procedure is an orderly way of making this possible.

• Communicate upcoming events, dates, and responsibilities. Use a variety of methods including telephone calls, personal visits, media reports, written notes, newsletters, and telephone chains to convey the message to members and parents. Repeat important dates and events at several meetings. Distribute club calendars, constitution, project requirements, and copies of responsibilities to each family. Communicate with parents about club meeting locations and beginning and ending times.

Set Behavior Standards

Youth need to know what is expected of them. Youth and volunteers should work together to set behavioral expectations early in the year. There should be rewards for good behavior and consequences for not meeting the group’s behavioral standards. Meetings are excellent places to learn and practice good citizenship and respect for people and property.

Plan Meetings With Variety

Some groups like this formula to plan meetings: one fourth business, one half education, and one fourth recreation. However, many meetings may be all education (such as field trips or big projects) and some may be all recreation (perhaps a party or a fitness festival). Mix it up with lots of variety to keep interest, encourage learning, and have fun. Keep the business section effective and to the point.

News Flash   … NECO Robo Knights (Morgan County 4-H Robotics FTC Team) placed 2 nd at the 2012 Colorado FTC Championship Tournament yesterday in Denver.  Thirty-one teams competed.  The first place team was from Albuquerque, NM.  In addition to receiving a trophy and medals for finishing in the top two; the team received the Judge’s Choice Award.  This award was based on their interview and video skills as well as community involvement.  More to come later …. Congratulations to all team members, coaches and parents.

4-H Fair Concession Food Safety Training

Leaders’ Advisory Committee will again require leaders and parents who help with the 4-H Concession Stands during the fair to complete a hands-on food safety training OR do the refresher quiz for food safety.    The Hands-On  training which EVERYONE has to complete at least once will be Monday, July 9 at the 4-H Building from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.   The open book refresher quiz will be available July 1 – July 15 from the Extension Office or on the Extension website.  We’ll have details in upcoming newsletters.

Luann will also provide training at your 4-H club meeting (or an alternate date) in April, May and up to June 10.  This training qualifies as the Hands-On training and/or refresher quiz for this year.   She needs a minimum of 90 minutes for the training.   Call her at 542-3544 to schedule a training for your club.