EXTENSION OFFICE

THE EXTENSION OFFICE WILL BE MOVED BY APRIL 1, 2007

Our new physical address will be at the Rock Creek Parks and Recreation Center. Yes, you read it right; we will share office space in the Parks & Recreation building at 710 SW Rock Creek Dr. in Stevenson.

In the interim, I ask for your patience with information coming from the 4-H office. We will be keeping the same mailing address and hope to keep the same phone numbers, although, the fax number will be changing. I hope to have more information for you as the months progress.

AS A LEADER DO YOU

“SIT ON YOUR HANDS?”

Resist doing everything yourself

Let the children grow through doing

Let them lead the meeting

Let them have a voice in decision-making

Let them work together on projects

Structure, Acceptance, Excitement, Support

Let the members do their own work. When you or other adults do their work, you steal from them a chance to become independent, learn to take care of them-selves, and have control of their lives. Please allow them to grow.

4-H is really an opportunity to become self-aware individuals who can learn to manage conflict, work together and engage themselves – improving the world they live in.

Let the children set their own sails, not be along for your journey. Be patient, be supportive, be encouraging, be a mentor.

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension Office.

E-LEARNING FOR 4-H VOLUNTEERS LEADERS WITH UPDATES

E-Learning for 4-H Volunteers is basic information about 4-H, how to get started as a leader, learning about positive youth development, leadership and teaching. Since October 1, over 150 different individuals have signed-in at least once, and 60 individuals from 16 different counties have completed all 4 Modules!

Skamania County is encouraging individuals to complete the 4 Modules for a full 16 hours of leader training. Each leader is required to receive 6 hours of training per year. The only training left would be the County Orientation training.

Most of the comments from prospective leaders, enrolled leaders, State 4-H Ambassadors, 4-H Staff and Educators have been positive! Many of the Western Region States are utilizing this training option this year, too. Let me know how you like it!

Where can I find E-Learning? Go to the Washington State 4-H Homepage http://4h.wsu.edu and click on E-Learning for 4-H Volunteers. This takes you directly to http://4h.wsu.edu/volntr/elearning.htm to provide contact information. The next screen takes you to learning about the course and doing the 4 Modules now or returning at a later time. The information is always available for review, too!

Since you only need to provide the contact information once, in the future you can use this URL http://4h.wsu.edu/volunteertraining and go directly to the 4 Modules. The site is available 24/7, which many volunteers like, plus it is interactive, making learning fun! 4-H Educators appreciate that basic information about 4-H is available online so that they can focus on other training topics using other methods.

COUNTY OFFICE STORAGE LIMITED

While cleaning up the office storage, we came across some items that need to be picked up. We can no longer hold onto projects left at the fairs. At the present, we have trophies 2005-6; all trophies not picked up by moving time (March 23) will be recycled for Open Shows. We have been mailing ribbons and items that would fit into an envelope; but items such as canning and trophies need to be picked up.

These people have trophies and/or plaques dating from 2005-06 to pick up:

Amanda Delgado 05, Rutger Bialkowsky 05,

Robyn Young 06, Ashley Douglas 06,

Meghan Puntillo 06, Heather LaCrox 05,

Chardae Baird 05 Rochelle Alexander 05

Jellies/canning: Amanda Harper, Lauren Nolan, Jessica Goodnight, Heather Carlton, Aubrey, &Tyler Suronen.

We found a box of ribbons from the Sate Fairs 2005-6 if you did not receive your ribbon with your award and you attended the state fair please call Robbi 509-427-3930 and she will send it to you.

RE-ENROLLMENTS ARE IN

Thank you to all the clubs who sent or brought their enrollments in. It is very nice to see all the clubs with their enrollments together and signed allowing me to see who is really enrolled in their clubs. It really helped to have the insurance fee paid altogether as a club. The adults do not have to pay for insurance, but some of you did send money to cover the adults. I have a record of that and I credited your club. This will help in case you sign up new kids in the mid-year. Thanks again

STITCH CAMP

Feb. 9-11

The deadline has past for mailing the registrations for camp. If you want to send your kids to camp and did not get your paper work mailed out, please do so now by CALLING Charline Wright at 360-624-7777 or Lenora Bringman at 509-427-3930; This will give the committee a count of how many will be attending.

After you have called one of us, all you will need to do is have all your paperwork filled out and signed by the parent or guardian, and bring it with you along with the $50.00 registration fee to camp.

You do not have to be enrolled in 4-H to attend camp, so bring a friend.

If you cannot afford to attend, please call one of the numbers above; there are still scholarships available.

This year we will be making stuffed bears, bags and other fun crafts, plus having campfire fun, with lots of laughter. Parents wishing to help are always welcome. If you know of a fast and fun project, please let us know.

GARDENING

The Extension office has a part time student trainee working with Horticulture projects. Lynn Melton is working with Gardeners throughout the area. Lynn will be in our office answering plant questions by phone or in person on Thursdays starting in April.

Lynn, will be working with 4-H to plant a community garden and show off their work during the fair this year. Watch for more information in the next Clover Reporter.

CONGRATULATIONS!

The S.M.A.R.T. 4-H club has been awarded a grant of $2,500.00 to help purchase guns and equipment for the Shooting Sports project.

Marie Dixon and D’Anna Miller took the Certified Training classes offered by WSU last year. Marie is a certified leader in Archery and D’Anna is certified in Shooting. Both leaders, along with help from others, applied to organizations such as the NRA for monetary support. The club leaders have been working on making sure all the training is in compliance with the WSU and National Shoots Sports Projects

There are more people to be thanked, but at this time I do not have all the information. I hope to have it by next month, so I apologize for anyone not mentioned here.

For more information call Marie Dixon 360-835-3020 or D’Anna Miller 360-835-9754.

PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER

SUPPORT OF THE 4-H SCIENCE CAMP-IN

Kevin Wright

Become a Grossologist during the 4-H Science camp-in.

We may have a van going that will hold up to 6 passengers for this trip; if you are interested please call Lenora 509-427-3930. We could us one more chaperone. Scholarship may be available. Just ask.

See flyer in this Clover Reporter

Plan to attend the 4-H Science Camp-in at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle on March 31-April 1. For more information visit

http://4-h.wsu.edu/conferences/campin/index.htm

FAIRS

SKAMANIA COUNTY FAIR

August 15-19

Fair Superintendents please get your premium book changes in to Lori Ottis 509-427-3979. fair@co.skamania.wa.us

Superintendents for 2007

Pam Hunter Awards Chairman

Jeannie Sizemore Poster-Record-Books

You will soon be hearing from these supers with upcoming information that you will need to know before the fair.

WASHINGTON STATE 4-H FAIR

2007 Equine Schedule

September 5 Dressage and Equitation Over

Fences (arrive in morning, depart in evening)

September 6-9 Intermediate Performance

September 9-12 Senior Western Games

September 15-18 Senior Performance

September 18-19 Senior Performance Champions

(arrive on 18^th, classes on 19^th)

September 19-22 Intermediate Western Games

September 22-23 Intermediate and Senior Harness

Horse Judging Contest will be on Sat., September 8

Groom Squad will be on Sat., September 8

National Equine Presentations will be on Sat., Sept 15

Changes for 2007:

Championship Day for Senior Performance will be on Wednesday, Sept. 19

Equitation over Fences will be combined with the Dressage Section

Intermediates will be allowed to enter the Equitation

Over Fences Class.

TEEN NEWS

TEEN LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY:

County Teen Advisory

K 8^thto 12^thgraders

K Independent and/or group projects

K Fun through community and youth

K 4-H promotion

K 4-H representation in Leaders Council

K Meet once a month

K Come and join the fun!!

Contact Charline Wright at 360-624-7777

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

FEBRUARY SKAMANIA COUNTY:

4-H HomeEc Advisory Mtg. Feb 4….9 AM Meet at the 4-H office and work on projects for Stitch camp. (Discussion on the 4-H fair kitchen)

Fair Board Mtg. Feb 7 …7 PM

At the Parks & Rec. office.

Stitch Camp Feb 9-11…. Registrations required. Late reg. can be made by phone. Call Charline 360-624-7777

4-H Livestock Advisory Feb 12…6 PM

4-H Leaders Council Feb 12…7 PM

4-H Horse Advisory Feb 12…8 PM

All meetings will be held at the Skamania School in the back of the main building in the portable units.

Know Your Government Feb 16-19

4-H Leaders Orientation Training Feb 21…10 AM-2 PM held in the present 4-H office. 25 Russell St Stevenson WA.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

4-H CLUB FUNDRAISER OPPORTUNITY

Did you know that there is an estimated 26 million idle cell phones in the United States alone and that less than 1% of the cell phones in the United States are being recycled? By 2006 there were at least 500 million used cell phones weighing over 2,500,000 tons that entered the waste stream? Some of the harmful materials in cell phones and their batteries are – lead, lithium, cadmium, copper, mercury and arsenic.

PaceButler Corporation offers a solution to the problem of cell phones polluting our landfills. By selling or recycling cell phones to PaceButler, you can help keep our landfills clean. PaceButler Corporation will pay up to $50 for each used cell phone collected from your members, community, family and friends. Of course, some phones have no value but at least they are being disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

PaceButler Corporation supplies all the needed materials for this fundraiser – they will send you free collection boxes, plastic bags and pre-paid return shipping labels. Once you have received the materials, display the cell phone collection boxes in areas with high traffic and visibility. When the collection box has 35 or more cell phones, pack them up and take them to your nearest FedEx Kinko’s or call Federal Express at 1-888-777-6040 for more information on shipping.

PaceButler Corporation will sort, audit and test all cell phones received. A check will then be issued to your club or group within four business days, based on current cell phone prices posted on PaceButler’s website (www.pacebutler.com). Currently, PaceButler is paying up to $50 per cell phone. Some phones have no value but are accepted and environmentally recycle those phones that have no value.

PaceButler Corporation currently partners with the American Cell Phone Drive at www.americancellphonedrive.org where your fundraiser can get national attention. They have great references available and a great reputation. You can go to their website at www.pacebutler.com and click on “Non-Profit Fundraiser” and request your donation boxes or you can contact Pamma Lee Ashby at 1-800-248-5360 extension 244 or email her at plashby@pacebutler.com for more information.

ENCOURAGE CLUB MEETINGS

ENCOURAGE POSITIVE SELF-TALK

Studies show that maintaining a positive outlook allows us to better cope with challenging situations.

Negative Self Talk	Positive Spin
I’ve never done it before	It’s an opportunity to learn something new
There’s no way it will work.	I can try to make it work
I don’t know how to do it	I will find people who can help me
I’m not going to get any better	I’ll give it one more try

Benefits Of Record Keeping

$ Checkbook balancing

$ Self awareness

$ Ability to set goals and accomplish them

$ Ability to reflect, see self and project growth

$ Ability to organize or lead projects for a job

Record Keeping

Measure progress

Record keeping skills

Budgeting

Organizational skills

Goal setting

Taking inventory

Keep track of leadership opportunities – helps for scholarships

Track community service

4-H promotion

Attendance charting

Recognition

Year-end summary / reflection

Calendar – date setting/ Attending – records participation

REGISTRATION PACKET FOR THE 2007 STATE

HIPPOLOGY CONTEST

Cheryl Mendenhall, State Hippology Volunteer Coordinator

The 2007 State Hippology Contest registration

packet can be found online at

http://4-h.wsu.edu/projects/horse.htm.

STATE ACTIVITIES AND NEWS

UPDATE: SUMMER 2007 EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES

Carol Beckman

News Flash! Washington 4-H Families have an opportunity to host a youth delegate from Finland this summer. We are still in need of completed host family applications. The application is due in my office by February 15. Check with your County 4-H office to obtain an application.

This summer there may also be an opportunity for Washington 4-H youth to travel to Mexico for a 3 week, homestay with a host family in a suburb of Mexico City.

This trip would be combining delegates from Wisconsin, Illinois, and Washington.

The approximate dates for all these opportunities would be early July to late July.

For those interested in either of these opportunities, please contact Carol Beckman at: beckmanc@wsu.edu 253.445.4623

PORTABLE AND LOW ROPES CHALLENGE INFORMATION PROGRAM

Vicky McCarley

Panhandle Lake 4-H Camp is hosting an information program for those interested in learning more about portable and low ropes challenge.

The workshop will be held on site at the Panhandle Lake on Saturday, February 10, 2007. The program is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, with a tour of the Challenge Course to follow. Additionally, there will be information on 4-H leadership programs, and Q&A.

If you plan to attend, please bring a bag lunch; refreshments and snacks will be provided. RSVP to Tom Barte at tpbarte@hctc.com or by calling (360) 426-9523. Facility tours and other information will also be available.

WASHINGTON STATE 4-H LIVESTOCK JUDGING

Mark Heitstuman

The Washington State 4-H Livestock Judging Team recently competed in the National Western Stock Show judging event held in Denver, CO on January 6, 2007. The National Western Livestock Judging Contest is an annual event that draws state-winning teams from across the United States. The Washington State 4-H team placed 14th out of 22 4-H teams competing in the event; including 3rd place overall as a team in beef placing. Members of the 2007 Judging Team included Caleb Klein of Lincoln County, Katie Hull of Cowlitz County, Melissa Knowlton of Pierce County, and Kalynn Morcom of Snohomish County. Mark Heitstuman, WSU Asotin County Extension, and Katrina Walker, Washington State 4-H Fair Livestock Judging Superintendent, were the team coaches. The team members qualified for the event by placing in the top 4 at the Washington State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held in Puyallup last September.

While competing in Denver, the team had the opportunity to attend a dinner theatre production of “Phantom”; tour the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Air Force Academy; and visit the National Western Stock Show, one of the largest livestock exhibits in the United States. Counties interested in learning more about livestock judging at Super Saturdays, Leader’s Council or other events may contact team coaches Heitstuman or Walker, or any of the 4 team members.

NEW 4-H FOOD ACTIVITY MATERIALS FOR 2007!

Jan Hiller

4-H Food project leaders and members are encouraged to visit the Food Project Website at http://4h.wsu.edu/projects/food.htm to find the 4-H Food Activity Guidelines, 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet, and 4-H Food Activity Scoresheet Evaluation Criteria. The 4-H Food Activity Worksheet is currently being worked on and will be posted on the website when it is complete.

WASHINGTON 4-H STATE SHOOTING SPORTS ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Janet Schmidt and Kim Petersen

Washington 4-H State Shooting Sports Archery Championships will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2007. The event will take place at the Kitsap County Fair Grounds in Presidents Hall located in Silverdale, WA. Registration begins at 8:30am and the shooting starts at 9:30am. Recurve and Compound Bow Archery will be available to participate in. The fee is $10.00 per entry per division or the archer may enter both divisions for $20.00. A late fee of $10.00 per entry per division will be added to registrations post marked after March 21, 2007. Registration can be mailed, faxed, or emailed.

For more information and registration forms visit Flaming Arrows web site http://home.wavecable.com/~flamarrow

COUNTY TEEN REPRESENTATIVE TRAINING UPDATE

Jan Klein

Two county teen rep (CTR) trainings were completed in the past month, one on the Westside and one on the eastside of the state. The CTR program is a county leadership opportunity for teens, grades 7th to 10th. These teens actively partner with 4-H staff, volunteers and other youth in order to improve and facilitate communication throughout their district and organize district youth programs and 4-H Youth Development. Training was provided by 4-H Faculty, Gary Verella, Spokane County, Janet Edwards, State 4-H After School Specialist, Jan Klein, State 4-H Teen Leadership Coordinator and the State Ambassadors. Workshops included: an overview of the program, communication, goal setting, leading activities and effective modes to receive information and get information out. At each site, 15 to 20 youth participated. The CTR teams went home with a goal set and an action plan.

For more information about this program and how to get your county involved please contact Jan Klein at jlklein@wsu.edu.

NUTRITION

Your club doesn’t have to be a food club to talk about and show an interest in healthy eating. Encourage healthy foods at get-togethers with food. Consider fruits instead of candy, water and juice instead of pop or vegetables rather than chips.

The lifestyle choices we model for our kids influences the lifestyle choices they will make as adults. Please send a healthy message.

ENCOURAGE POSTERS

Jeanie Sizemore is the Posters and Record book Superintendent this year. She will be giving you more instructions on posters but in the meantime encourage members to use the following techniques in handling equipment and visuals:

· Make a list of equipment and supplies needed

· Use trays to assemble equipment and supplies

· Arrange trays on an extra table placed to the side or in the back

· Plan the arrangement to avoid reaching across

· Keep the table clear in front so people can see

· Handle props carefully and quietly; have a folded towel under bowls or pans

· Keep the work surface clean; have damp cloths, sponges, paper towels handy; tape a paper sack to table back for garbage

· Check posters, charts and easels before beginning for proper sequence and to see that each is secure

· Use step shelves, slant boards, clear bowls or mirrors to be sure each part of the presentation is visible.

Each visual should be tested using these questions:

· Is it needed

· Does it focus attention

· Is it neat and simple

· Is it easy to use

· Does it fit smoothly into the presentation

A “yes” answer on these points indicates a good choice of visuals.

Remember, visuals must be visible. Use the following tables to choose letter size and thickness, colors of letters, and background.

Letter Size for Visibility*

Distance Letter Size Line Thickness

10 feet ½ inch 3/32 inch

20 feet ¾ inch 1/8 inch

5 0 feet 2 inches 5/16 inch

100 feet 3 ½ inches 11/16 inch

300 feet 11 inches 2 inches

*Assuming good light, good eyes and good color.