4-H summer travel opportunities

Spring Break....Oops I forgot to enroll in 4-H! Enrollment deadline assuring all projects being available is today. You can enroll and pay online by visiting www.extension.purdue.edu and clicking on 4-H Youth in the left hand menu. The enrollment site is the top item on the page.

While some may be travel weary from last week's spring break, 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-Hers is how awesome their camp experiences were while in the 4-H program.

Youth interested in camp must be in grades three through six as of January 1, 2012. Camp occurs at Shakamak State Park. Departure is noon, Sunday, June 10 with a return of 11:30 am, Wednesday, June 13. Youth learn lifelong skills, have a great time, and make new friends.

The deadline for youth to enroll for camp is Friday, April 20 and registration must be submitted to the Purdue Extension-Putnam County office. Health forms must also be completed.

The cost is $75 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 the 4-H left menu link and then select the 4-H Camp link.

Those interested in applying to be camp counselors must be enrolled as Junior Leaders for this year. Camp Counselor applications are due Friday, April 13th to the Purdue Extension-Putnam County office. Training dates for counselors will be May 3 and May 10 where successful applicants must be present.

Cost is $55 and once again the application and necessary health forms are on the Extension website mentioned above. Please note this change of dates from the counselor application forms!

Several travel opportunities to 4-H Science Workshops 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 is one of the opportunities in addition to a Washington DC conference trip. A trips and awards application is also on the local Extension website.

And finally, for those who would like to work in the 4-H Exhibit hall meeting other 4-Hers 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 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.

Check our website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up to date info. You can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events.

It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events

April 2 -- Extension Homemakers International Program "Chatting about China" 6:30 p.m. at Fairgrounds.

April 2 -- 4-H enrollment deadline. Also steer and crossbred heifer forms due.

April 3 -- 4-H Junior Leader Meeting, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

April 5 -- Dining with Diabetes Class I at the Extension Office 1:30 p.m.

April 21 -- 4-H Dairy Steer Tagging and Weigh-in, Fairgrounds, 8-10 a.m.

May 3 -- 4-H Camp Counselor Development Session #1, Fairgrounds, 5-8 p.m.

May 10 -- 4-H Camp Counselor Development Session #2, Fairgrounds, 5-8 p.m.

May 12 -- 4-H sheep and goat wether tagging and retinal scanning, Fairgrounds, 8 a.m.--noon

May 15 -- All dairy, goat, horse & pony, sheep, swine, pure-bred heifer 4-H livestock enrollment forms due

Registration is open for Spring 2012 Dining with Diabetes classes, contact Extension Office.