Greetings from Dee: 

The 4-H Leaders Association meets on July 9th at   7 p.m.  All leaders are invited as well as interested 4-H members.  We will be discussing where and when we will hold the annual awards and recognition program. You can call with items you would like on the agenda until July 1st. After that date, you may call to receive a copy of the agenda. 

I went to a funeral of a friend recently and another friend remarked, "I told my family I would not could to any more funerals until our family starts having reunions to celebrate the good times." He is right.  We need to celebrate together as families and friends. Take time to gather and have fun with your loved ones this summer.  Build some happy memories together. 

Can you believe we are working on materials for the Northern District Fair already! Be sure you take time to put together a 4-H Centennial exhibit in the Civic Center or the Barns.  Let's let all of Wexford County know it is the 100th Birthday of 4-H! 

Summer Camps:

• Come/First Serve: Camp Kidwell on Eagle Lake in Allegan County has six week-long sessions available from June 23 through August 2
• First Come/First Serve: Camp Torenta on the shores of Lake Mitchell, Cadillac, has six week-long sessions available from June 16 through August 2

4-H Days at the Corn Maze      August 15-17

Spend the day with your 4-H members or family members at the corn maze then head to the Michigan State University campus (about 30 minutes west of Williamston) and watch the State 4-H Horse, or visit the 4-H Children's Garden! Navigate through miles of corn maze trail and shapes of a life-size Saturn V rocket, space shuttle, Hubble telescope, and other space-related objects!  The corn maze is located across from 3770 Noble Road in Williamston, about 1 mile from the I-96 and M-52 intersection. The cost is $5/person. Weather permitting, 10" and 12" telescopes will be available after 

Upcoming Meetings

Community Service Idea        for July

Upcoming MSU 4-H Events

For any updates visit: http://www.msu.edu/dept/ans/pavnew/pavhome.htm

Upcoming 4-H Animal/Horse Events:

Swimming Pool Alert

Swimming pools and wading pools in child care are considered public bathing places according to Pennsylvania Department of Health (DoH) regulations.  The DoH regulations state, among other things, that the water quality of wading pools must be mechanically controlled and that turnover period (number of hours required to completely replenish the water) may not be longer than 2 hours. 

Childcare regulations direct caretakers to add 3/4 teaspoon bleach to 50 gallons water in wading pools. Caregivers may misinterpret this regulation and think that they are safe simply by adding the bleach.   But, this regulation applies only if one child uses the wading pool and the water is drained after that child's use. If more than one child uses the wading pool, mechanical filtration is necessary. 

The national standards for out-of-home child care expressly ban the use of small, portable wading pools and suggests you use sprinklers, hoses, or individual water containers as an alternative to wading pools for safe water activities. 

Local Club News

There are many youth from our county who have already gone to and returned from camp!  We’ve had many positive comments come into our office from youth who plan to attend again next year! 

Camp Living Waters participants included: Stephanie Adams, Taylor Adlam, Janelle Agren, Elizabeth Badovinac, Sammantha Bridson, Ruth Doering, Halle Doering, Stella Doering, Amy Funck, Teen Counselor Elizabeth Funck, Michelle Furlich, Zack Helton, Matt McMurphy, Caleb McMurphy, Jeremy Miller, Rachel Robb, Erica Saari, Josie Suhs, Chantel Waisanen, Sierra Waisanen, and Kelsey Woltila. 

Exploration Days at MSU participants included: Matt Brettscheider, Jim Solce, Kristin Solce, Kaitlin Welliver, Adrienne Smith, Jade Pearce, Adrienne Huffman, and Angela Sutton.  These youth also enjoyed the comradery and excitement of other county youth by riding the bus down to East Lansing together! 

 Joe Mendoza is signed up for Great Lakes Natural Resources Camp  and will enjoy learning about our great outdoors! 

Our summer PEP (Proud Equestrian Program) Camp started this year’s schedule.  Participants include: The Feketes, Sarah Sitkewiez, Laura Long, Lindsay Kornick, Jordan Schaafsma, Shane Atkins, Tesha Seager, Trisha Young, Jennifer Richardson, Justin Trowbridge, Dennis McMartin, Jennifer Parker, Margaret Gatlin, Roy Farmer, and Derrick Patino. 
 

PEP Volunteers Needed!

We are seeking volunteers, 14 years of age or older, for this program to lead the horse or walk on each side of the horse to assist the riders. 

Dates are: June 18, 25, July 2, 9,16, & 23 from 6:30 - 8: 15 p.m. 

If you are interested in assisting, please contact the office at 779-9480.               Back to the Top 
 

Standardbred Project

You will: 

• Obtain, raise, and sell a Standardbred foal
• Learn and develop the responsibility that caring for a horse demands
• Learn care, feeding, breeding management, and health requirements at different ages
• Develop new skills, knowledge, contacts, and career ideas related to the harness racing industry.

Equine Coggins Test

The law also states that a negative test, drawn in the current calendar year, is still required for horses participating in fairs or shows. A negative test is also required for all horses that are sold or changing owners.  It requires a one time mandatory test for all equine in the State of Michigan between June 29, 2001, and April 30, 2002. 

For more information on the new Coggins law, visit the web page at: http://mda.state.mi.us/index/html. 

Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council

4-H Night with the Detroit Shock

The Detroit Shock’s home is at the Palace in Auburn Hills in Oakland County and they have offered us a special night dedicated to 4-H. 

4-H clubs and groups will get to meet and play with members of the Detroit Shock before their game against the Miami Sol and see the game at a discounted rate. They will get a pre-game talk with one of the Shock players at 6 p.m., a pre-game Shockfest, and every club that's represented that night can see their individual 4-H Club's name scrolling around the score board throughout the game with welcoming remarks from the announcer. 

This is a great opportunity for a night of fun in celebration of the 4-H Centennial. Please share this information within your club and plan a county-wide trip to the Palace. For more information on the Detroit Shock, visit “www.detroitshock.com” or watch your mailbox for more information. 

Family Nutrition Program

Attention: Exhibitors at the Northern District Fair!

In the Civic Center we will be looking at creativity, theme, percent of members participating, and educational impact. If a club exhibits in more than one barn, please choose only one barn for your display.  In the Livestock Barns we will be looking at creativity, theme, and percent of members participating. 

You may stop into the office and request a copy of the following bulletins:  Making Posters, Promote 4-H With Successful Visuals, or Planning Your Exhibits. 

Some of the things you might want to consider doing are including 4-H projects or bulletins from the past in your display, interviewing people who were in 4-H in the past, getting information I 
have available on 4-H during the different decades and sharing it in your exhibit. Be creative and let the people coming to the fair see how 4-H has changed over the years!