2025 4-H Teen Winter Camp

February 7-9, 2025
Lindley G. Cook 4-H Camp 100 Struble Rd. Branchville, NJ 07826

Meet other 4-H Teens from Sussex, Somerset, Warren, and Morris at the 4-H Teen Winter Camp. Enjoy games, winter activities, crafts, and meals together; have fun and make lifelong friends

Winter camp is a fun weekend getaway for 4-H members in grades 8-13 grade. Members from multiple counties gather together for sledding, hiking, crafting, games, and making new friends at L. G. Cook 4-H Camp in Stokes State Forest. On Friday night teens play a variety of ice-breaker and games. Saturday is spent exploring the various camp activities. When not enjoying the outdoor activities, teen spend their time in heated buildings and sleep in heated cabins.

Cost is $60 and includes meals. (Teen Council members cost is $30).
If interested in attending please contact Tanya at patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu for registration information. Space is limited, registration is first come first served. Deadline to register is January 10. Camperships may be available.

Getting Presentation Ready?

Here are a few things to remember when preparing for County Presentations in March

• Be sure to include three main parts:
  • Introduction—the why, who you are and what you will be talking about;
  • Body—the show and tell portion, tell/show the audience what you know; and
  • Summary—the what of it, summarize what you talked about and thank them for listening, cite any source.

• Presentation Time requirements:
  • Cloverbud members 3-15 minutes. Regular members 5-15 minutes.
    Team Presentations 10-15 minutes.

• Be sure to dress neatly. No dirty jeans or sweatshirts preferred.

• If using a poster board- keep them simple. Use dark lettering and pictures large enough so that people in the back of the room can read and see them.

• Look at your audience and smile.

• Practice!

A complete guide to presentations is available for download; NJ 4H ‘How to Make a 4-H Public Presentation’. In addition, there is also a YouTube video with tips on how to give a public presentation. Both are great resources for those presenting for the first time, but also a great refresher for more seasoned presenters.   

If you have any question please reach out to Tanya. patrie@njaes.rutgers.edu

4-H NJSF/SCF&HS Community Service Sign up

The NJSF/SCF&HS is setting up Community Service days to enable 4-H members who would receive 4-day passes to have the opportunity to earn 8-day passes (or any part thereof) by participating in volunteer activities that help out at the Fairgrounds in the Fall and Spring.  Two hours of volunteering will earn one additional day pass.

The Fair believes engaging 4-H youth in volunteer activities at the fairgrounds will give members a perspective on how the Fair operates and create a better connection with the Fair Association. The hope is that some of these 4-H members will eventually become adult volunteers or directors.

Listed are current Community Service volunteer opportunities.  You may choose one or all.  Additional opportunities will be added/deleted as they become available. 

Wednesday June 4th, 2025, 4:30 to 6:30 pm – BOA Farmers Market Clean-up with Lori Space Day. 

To sign up for please use the following online form:
https://forms.gle/3Qa9LMoKMxgVw57L8

New 4-H Fair Pass Policy

The New Jersey State Fair is implementing a new 4-H fair pass policy that will primarily affect members who are only exhibiting projects in the Shotwell 4-H Building during the fair.

Those 4-H members with live animal exhibits that will be on the grounds for at least 4 days will receive a full 8 1/2-day Fair pass, as usual. This includes alpacas, cattle, goats, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine. The Fair will offer 4-H members entering static exhibits 4-day fair passes. These would include 4-H members who are only entering projects in the Shotwell Building or are not exhibiting animals at the fair for four or more days. Currently exceptions are being made for a few non-livestock 4-H clubs that provide over four or more days of member lead activities or service that engage the public.

4-H members who would receive 4-day passes will have the opportunity to earn 8-day passes (or any part thereof) if they choose to participate in volunteer community service activities that help out at the Fairgrounds in the Fall and Spring. The Fair believes engaging 4-H youth in volunteer activities at the fairgrounds will give members a perspective on how the Fair operates and create a better connection with the Fair Association. The hope is our 4-H members will eventually become adult volunteers or directors.

Those 4-H members receiving 4-day passes will be eligible for additional days based on hours of volunteer service prior to the Fair. Two hours of volunteering will earn one additional day pass. 

The 4-H Office will be notified of volunteer opportunities in advance and will provide the Fair office with the approximate number of 4-H’ers planning to participate. 4-H is responsible for providing supervision as required by 4-H policy and for recording attendance. A representative of the Fair will also sign off on attendance at each volunteer day.

Those who qualify for additional day passes based on volunteering prior to the fair will be listed as eligible when passes are issued in July. This is assuming these members fulfill other 4-H fair pass requirements (Record Book, Member in Good Standing with their club, etc.), they will receive additional day passes or a full 8 1/2-day pass.

4-H leaders and 4-H parents will all still receive full passes as it is expected that they will volunteer to help and supervise in the Shotwell Building or other areas during the Fair. As in the past, there will be a fee for parent passes.

This is a new policy, and we understand you may have questions, please let us know.

Volunteer Connections – Learning Opportunities for You!

Be sure to register for this series of virtual learning for volunteers.  https://tinyurl.com/4HNERV2025 

Find out more about these sessions here:
https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteer-connections/