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2008 Training & Events
The following is a list of trainings and events related to environmental and outdoor education. The listing includes what the event is, when and where it will be held, who is eligible to attend, the deadline for registrations to arrive and the link for more information, if applicable. This list will continue to be updated as more opportunities arise so be sure to check it often. For additional 4-H training and events, check the 4-H Volunteer Workshops web site at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/4htrain.html.
| FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER |
FEBRUARY
Darwin Discovery Day
Date & Location: February 10, 2008, 1-5 p.m. at MSU Museum
What: Join us for this free day of fun and discovery for all who are curious about the natural world around us. Hands-on activities, lectures and “face-to-face” opportunities with MSU natural history experts.
Open to: Adults, kids and students.
Cost: Free
Find out more at: http://museum.msu.edu/Events/NaturalHistoryIDDay/
Great Backyard Bird Count
Dates: February 15 to 18, 2008
What: Help contribute valuable bird data to the ninth annual Great Backyard Bird Count by spending as little as 15 minutes each day observing your backyard, balcony, schoolyard, park or wildlife refuge. Simply record the number of birds you’ve seen and submit your report to the Birdsource web site.
Find out more at: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc
Free Fishing Weekend
Dates: February 16 to 17, 2008
What: Get out on to the ice but remember safety. Wear a PFD and be sure to check the thickness of the ice regularly. We want you to fish again. You don't need to purchase a license for this weekend but if you did, you would be supporting the DNR and the future of our Michigan fishery.
Find out more at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-43225--,00.html
4-H Environmental & Outdoor Education Adult & Teen Volunteer Training Workshop
Dates & Location: February 29 to March 2, 2008, at Kettunen Center
What: Come sample a variety of interest areas within the 4-H environmental and outdoor education (EOE) program! Enjoy fun, hands-on activities taught in a train-the-trainer format so you can leave with many ideas and resources to share locally. Sessions will feature environmental stewardship, wildlife, forest and water study, land use education, and outdoor recreation and leadership. Many different 4-H EOE curricula will be featured and distributed. Don't miss this chance to learn what 4-H has to offer in these areas!
Open to: Adult and teen volunteers aged 13 and up.
Cost: $58 for current 4-H members.
Registration deadline: February 15, 2008
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/eoe/documents/EOE_Feb-March-08_Workshop.pdf
Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) Week
Dates & Location: February 29 to March 8, 2008, at Michigan State University
What: ANR Week provides seminars and workshops on a variety of topics in areas such as agriculture, horticulture and natural resources.
Find out more at: Contact your county MSU Extension office for details or visit http://www.canr.msu.edu/anrweek/
MARCH
Project FISH Workshop
Dates & Location: March 4 to 5, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days at Michigan State University
What: Project FISH is a mentor-based sportfishing and aquatic resource education program. If you’re interested in becoming one of the “Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage (FISH),” you don’t need to know how to fish. Just register for this or other Project FISH workshops offered around Michigan.
Open to: Adult volunteers and teachers aged 19 and up.
Cost: $55 Registration Fee
Registration deadline: February 29, 2008
Find out more at: Contact Mark Stephens at 517-432-2700 or visit http://www.projectfish.org/anrweek.pdf
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Support Workshop
Date & Location: March 6, 2008, at the Radison Hotel in Lansing
What: The MEECS workshops are designed to increase awareness and appreciation for Michigan’s environment using engaging, innovative activities that encourage hands-on student participation. The curriculum topics include air quality, ecosystems and biodiversity, energy resources, land use and water quality. The workshops are sponsored by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and meet Michigan curriculum benchmarks.
Open to: Teachers and other adults who work with students in grades 4 to 9.
Cost: $30
Registration deadline: Open until spaces are filled.
Find out more at: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/eforms/mstapreconferenceregistration.html
4-H Capitol Experience
Dates & Location: March 9 to 12, 2008, in Lansing
What: This MSU pre-college program explores civic engagement and public policy in Lansing. You’ll discover a citizen’s role in the state government, network with other students, explore new careers and much more!
Open to: High school students and adult chaperones.
Cost: $255 for current 4-H members; $265 for those not in 4-H.
Registration deadline: February 1, 2008
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/capexp.html
APRIL
National Environmental Education Week
Dates: April 13 to 19, 2008
What: Environmental Education Week is designed to strengthen the educational impact of Earth Day. Young people can participate in EE Week at schools, museums, zoos, aquariums and other settings through field trips, service projects and guest speakers.
Find out more at: http://www.eeweek.org
4-H Shooting Sports Volunteer Workshop
Dates & Location: April 18 to 20, 2008, at Kettunen Center
What: This workshop offers a variety of training sessions including riflery, shotgun, archery, hunting and wildlife. You’ll participate in one session for the weekend and receive certification for successfully completing the course. Join us and see all that the 4-H shooting sports program has to offer! Those seeking recertification in a discipline should fill out a recertification application. You do NOT need to retake the training unless you’ve been inactive for more than three years. Teams in a variety of disciplines are recommended.
Open to: New and veteran adult volunteers and youth aged 16 and up.
Registration deadline: April 4, 2008
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/cyf/youth/shootisp.html
Earth Day
Date: April 22, 2008
What: Earth Day is a time to celebrate the environmental gains we have made and to create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day (and every day) is a time to act to protect our planet. Many communities and groups choose to organize environmental activities over the longer period of Earth Week (the week before Earth Day) or even Earth Month (the whole month of April).
Find out more at: http://www.earthday.net
National Arbor Day
Date: April 25, 2008
What: Trees make a world of difference. Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.
Find out more at: http://www.arborday.org/
Global Youth Service Day
Dates: April 25 to 27, 2008
What: GYSD is the largest annual celebration of young volunteers in which millions of young people in countries everywhere carry out thousands of community improvement projects. GYSD offers a way for local, national and international organizations to: build the capacity of an international network of organizations that promotes youth participation, service and learning; educate the public, the media, and policy-makers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders around the world; mobilize youth and adults to meet the needs of their communities through volunteering; and learn and share effective practices in youth service, youth voice and civic engagement in the world today.
Find out more at: http://www.gysd.net
4-H Outdoor Adventure Challenge Leader Training Series
Dates and Location: April 25 to 27, 2008, on the Manistee River near Cadillac for orientation.
What: The multisession 4-H Challenge Leader Training Series is designed to train adults interested in using the outdoors to help develop life skills in young people. The program includes an introduction to 4-H and the 4-H Challenge program, training in backpacking, caving, canoeing, rock climbing, map and compass orienteering, winter camping and first aid. Adults receiving the training are expected to work with young people in the 4-H Challenge program.
Open to: You must be at least 16 to enroll in the training series, and at least 21 to become a certified 4-H Challenge leader.
Cost: $100 application fee; $232 adult training fee; $100 youth (16 to 21) training fee
Registration deadline: April 14, 2008
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/challenge.html
National Volunteer Week
Dates: April 27 to May 3, 2008
What: Millions of dedicated volunteers devote their time and efforts to their communities during National Volunteer Week, which began in 1974 to celebrate volunteers. This celebration is supported by a presidential proclamation and sponsored in part by the Points of Light Foundation.
Find out more at: http://www.pointsoflight.org/
MAY
Join Hands Day
Date: May 3, 2008
What: This is a day when generational barriers are forgotten and people of all ages pitch in to make their communities better places.
Find out more at: http://www.joinhandsday.org/
Detroit Area Kids Fishing Derby
Date & Location: May 17, 2008, at Palmer Park
What: This learn-to-fish event is held in the Detroit area every year.
Open to: Kids aged 7 to 14 who are accompanied by an adult.
Find out more at: Contact Gary Williams at (313) 833-3299 for details.
JUNE
Free Fishing Weekend
Dates: June 7 to 8, 2008
What: Come fishing! We want you to fish again. You don't need to purchase a license for this weekend, but if you did, you would be supporting the DNR and the future of our Michigan fishery.
Find out more at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-43225--,00.html
4-H Exploration Days
Dates & Location: June 18 to 20, 2008, at Michigan State University
What: This MSU pre-college program gives young people a chance to experience college life, learn new ideas and skills, and meet people from across Michigan.
Open to: Young people aged 11 and up and adult chaperones.
Cost: $165 for current 4-H members; $175 for those not in 4-H
Registration deadline: May 2, 2008
Find out more at: The registration book will be available online at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/expodays.html and from county MSU Extension offices by mid-March.
Michigan 4-H Awards Assembly
Dates & Location: June 18 to 19, 2008, at Michigan State University
What: Regional 4-H winners compete for state-level honors in a specified 4-H project area.
Open to: State 4-H award nominees aged 13 and up.
Registration deadline: May 2, 2008
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/staward.html
JULY
4-H Learning Science Through the Arts Camp
Dates & Location: July 13 to 17, 2008, at Kettunen Center
What: This camp theme is "Puppetry with a Message."
Open to: Youth aged 9 to 14.
Cost: TBA
Registration deadline: July 7, 2008
Find out more at: http://www.kettunencenter.org (programs) or call 231-829-3421or your MSU Extension County 4-H office.
Ag Expo
Dates & Location: July 15 to 17, 2008, at the outdoor exhibit area at Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane on the Michigan State University campus
What: This event features the latest in farm equipment, products, supplies and services.
Find out more at: http://www.agexpo.msu.edu/
National 4-H Forestry Invitational
Dates & Location: July 20 to 24, 2008, at Jackosn’s Mill State 4-H Camp & Conference Center near Weston, West Virginia
What: This is the national championship of 4-H forestry where teams of 4-H Foresters have come to meet, compete, and have fun. You will develop appreciation for the importance of conserving forestland as a source of products, benefits, and services necessary for quality living. 4-H Foresters learn citizenship and leadership skills as well as practical forest management skills through participation in the 4-H Forestry Invitational. By learning these skills young people will be better prepared to own forestland or deal with environmental issues in the future.
Open to: Youth aged 14 to 19.
Registration deadline: Late June, exact date TBA
Find out more at: http://www.aces.edu/N4HFI/
4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp
Dates & Location: July 27 to August 2, 2008, at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle County
What: This MSU pre-college program teaches young people about Michigan’s diverse natural resources and the Great Lakes ecosystems.
Open to: 70 teens who are aged 13 to 15 by July 1, 2008.
Registration deadline: May 1, 2008. Late registrations will be accepted on a space-available basis through June 20, 2008, with a $25 late fee.
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/cyf/youth/glnrc.html
AUGUST
4-H State Shooting Sports Tournament
Dates & Location: August 16, 2008, with a rain date of August 17, at the St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman's Club in Sturgis, Michigan
Open to: All 4-H shooting sports members aged 9 to 19. Spectators welcome.
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/cyf/youth/shootisp.html
OCTOBER
National 4-H Week
Dates: October 5 to 11, 2008
What: The event is a weeklong celebration of 4-H across the country. During National 4-H Week, 4-H'ers promote the program through activities in their communities.
Find out more at: Contact your county 4-H staff for ideas or materials or visit the National 4-H web site at http://www.4-HBrandNetwork.org
Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council
What: Intensive teen leadership program to research conservation issues and prepare testimony for a Michigan House or Senate committee meeting in April.
Open to: Youth aged 13 to 19.
Application deadline: October 10, 2008
Find out more at: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/m4hycc.html
World Water Monitoring Day
Date: October 18, 2008 (actual monitoring can take place between September 18 and October 18, 2008, and you can enter your results between September 18 and December 18, 2008)
What: World Water Monitoring Day is a chance for you and your 4-H club or group to have a positive affect on the health of rivers, lakes, estuaries and other bodies of water. You can use a test kit (your own or one you order online) to measure four key indicators of water quality: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity.
Application deadline: Register your site online after July 18, 2008
Find out more at: http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/
Make a Difference Day
Date: October 25, 2008
What: Make a Difference Day challenges everyone to spend a Saturday making a difference in their communities and in the lives of others by volunteering in a service project.
Find out more at: http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/
NOVEMBER
GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Day
Date: November 19, 2008
What: During GIS Day, geographic information systems (GIS) users and vendors open their doors to schools, businesses and the general public to showcase real-world applications of this important technology. GIS Day is principally sponsored by the National Geographic Society, and is held during Geography Awareness Week. If there aren't any GIS Day activities scheduled near you, check out the GIS Day web site for information on how to plan one, and visit the National Geographic Society on the web at http://www.nationalgeographic.com for links to a variety of interactive, geography-focused activities. The lessons in the education area are grouped by grade level and list the materials needed, the objectives and geography standards that are to be achieved for each exercise.
Find out more at: http://www.gisday.com
Contact
Information
For more information on
how to get involved as a youth
or volunteer,
contact your county MSU Extension
office or:
Judy A. Ratkos,
Program Leader
4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
USA
Phone: 517-432-7613
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: ratkos@msu.edu
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Last Updated: January 22, 2008
Last Reviewed: January 10, 2008
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