4-H workshop, summer travel opportunities noted

Oops, I forgot to enroll in 4-H ...

The enrollment deadline assuring all projects being available was Jan. 15. However, one can still enroll by contacting the Purdue Extension Putnam County office staff.

Archery, Dog and Horse and Pony projects are closed while other projects will remain open for a limited time. Otherwise the drop-add date is May 15. Those in second grade may also still sign up for Exploring 4-H as the next meeting is Wednesday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the York Automotive Community Building of the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

It is time to sign up for 4-H travel and workshop opportunities. One of the most common remarks heard from current and former Putnam County 4-H’ers is how awesome their camp experiences were while in the 4-H program or what a great experience to be on a college campus for science workshops. Most will make lifelong friends while on these trips.

Youth interested in camp must be in grades three through six as of Jan. 1, 2018. Camp occurs at Shakamak State Park. Departure is noon Wednesday, June 6 with a return of 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9. Youth learn lifelong skills, have a great time, and make new friends.

The deadline for youth to enroll for camp is Tuesday, May 15 or as long as space is available. Registration must be submitted to the Purdue Extension-Putnam County office. Health forms must also be completed prior to departure. The cost is $80 for the entire event which includes food, lodging and transportation.

One can click on the 4-H link of the Purdue Extension-Putnam County website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to download forms by going to “Quick Links” and finding the camp info page.

Those interested in applying to be camp counselors must be enrolled in 4-H and be in at least seventh grade for consideration. Camp counselor applications are due Friday, April 13 to the Purdue Extension-Putnam County office. Training dates for counselors will be Wednesday, April 25 and Tuesday, May 1 where successful applicants must be present. Cost is $50 and once again the application and necessary health forms are on the Extension website mentioned above.

Several travel opportunities to 4-H Academy at Purdue and other events occur throughout the summer at Purdue and other venues.

Examples include Aerospace, Plant Science, Animal Science, Electrical and Computer Science workshops. Other events include 4-H Band or Chorus and Ambassador Program to name a few.

Also 4-H Roundup at Purdue, and the State Junior Leader Conference in Indianapolis are more examples of in state options besides the Washington, D.C., conference trip and a Wisconsin dairy conference. A trips and awards application is also on the local Extension website. The 4-H Council will pay half the cost of in state trips and the out-of-state trips are assisted on a case-by-case basis.

And finally, for those who would like to work in the Indiana State Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall, having the opportunity of meeting other 4-H’ers from around the state, there are paid opportunities to work during late July and August with the entry and display of 4-H projects at the Indiana State Fair.

Contact the Extension office if you have questions or are interested in this opportunity to earn funds and gain work experience. Individuals working there are provided dorm rooms as well. The deadline for applications to work at the State Fair is April 1.

Upcoming events

March 7 – Exploring 4-H meeting, Community Building, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.

March 8 – Soil Health PARP, 6-8 p.m., Putnam County Fairgrounds, $10 for PARP credit, register at http://tinyurl.com/ydfpeefn.

March 10 – Ag Day Breakfast and Mini-Farm Fest, Putnam County Fairgrounds.

March 13 – Farmers’ Market vendor workshop marketing night, Extension Office, 6:30 p.m.

March 15 – Junior Leader 4-H meeting, Fairgrounds, 7-8 p.m.

March 17 – Garden Fair, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Putnam County Fairgrounds.

March 21 – Resistant Weed Management webinar, noon, RSVP at https://ag.purdue.edu/Extension/wia/Pages/webinars.asp.