Marion County Extension Office

130 Kelly Park Rd

Jefferson, TX 75657

(903)665-2421

4-H Newsletter

May 2007

Hello, 4-H'ers, Parents and Leaders,

Can you believe it?! it's May and school is almost over for the year and graduation is coming up for some of you.

Where has the time gone? Have you used your time well this past year? Can you look back and be proud of your accomplishments of the past year? What's in your future?

For those of you graduating, we wish a happy and prosperous future as you go forth to face the world. Don't forget your roots and remember the lessons you learned in 4-H. They will be a blessing and a benefit to you as you face and deal with new situations.

For those of you not graduating, begin now to build your resources and take advantage of all 4-H has to offer.

In this newsletter you will find some of the opportunities available to you. We hope you will take advantage of as many of them as possible.

Sincerely,

Brock A. Fry	Paulette T. Cooper

CEA-AG/NR	EA-CEP, 4-H/CD

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas cooperating.

Don't forget County Council meeting, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. Leaders' meeting concurrent with Council meeting. There will also be a Record Book workshop after the Council meeting. Everyone come prepared to work on your record books.

Career Awareness and Youth Lab is scheduled for June 11-15. Deadline for registration is May 18.

District 5 4-H Leadership Lab is going to be really exciting this year. The theme is "Weird Science", and it will be held June 27-29, at LeTourneau University in Longview, (yea!, close to home!!). Registration will be done on 4-H Connect and is due by June 11. The cost of the lab is $80.00 per person, but a number of $60.00 scholarships are available through the local 4-H program. That means you pay only $20.00. However, if you register and the balance of your fee is paid for you, you MUST follow through and attend. No last minute "I can't go" excuses unless you have a REAL emergency.

District Council officers will be elected at Leadership Lab, so if you want to run for a District Council office, let us know and pick up the necessary forms at the Extension office. The deadline for these applications is Monday, June 11 to the Extension office. Along with the application form, a leadership history will be required and scored. There will also be an on-site interview conducted that will also be scored. These scores, along with the popular vote at Lab, will be used to select the 2007-08 District 4-H Council officers. See the attached letter for all the details.

H. S. Estelle 4-H Camp will be held in July. The deadline for registration is June 8. Some scholarships are available for this camp too. Call Mrs. Cooper if interested in attending. This is always a fun week.

Internet access computer at Extension office - If you need a computer and don't have one at home, you can come to the Extension office and get online. This is a good opportunity for anyone who needs to register on 4-H Connect but doesn't otherwise have access to a computer. Or if you need to get information on almost any subject, you can go online on our computer. This computer is available to all Extension clientele, not just 4-H'ers.

Don't forget: If you want to participate in an animal project this year and show at the County Fair in October, you must get your animal right away, and get it validated if you plan to show it anywhere else. Call Mr. Fry at the Extension office and let him know you are interested and get the information you need, and he will help you.

Attention, Smithland Area: There will be a meeting at 6:30 p.m on May 15 at the Smithland Community Center to reorganize the Smithland 4-H Club. All members, former members, and anyone interested in becoming a member, and parents and leaders, are urged to attend this meeting. For more information, contact Makini Shakur at (903)665-8991 or Faye Mathis at (903)665-8944.

Announcing: Adventure Trek 2007

The Texas 4-H Conference Center is happy to announce two exciting programs for youth ages 14-18 for this summer. Both programs offer a wealth of outdoor adventure training and experience.

June 11-17 – Fishing the Watersheds of Texas begins and ends at Lake Bastrop State Park, and includes kayaking and fishing on the Colorado River to Smithville, then down to Matagorda for estuary, bay and gulf water fishing and environmental education.

June 25-July 1 – Backpacking the Hill Country Triangle begins and ends at the Texas 4-H Conference Center at Lake Brownwood, and includes hiking and camping from Brownwood to Pedernales Falls State Park, Enchanted Rock State Park and Llano State Park, along with other activities.

Cost of each of these treks is $325.00 per person. Anyone interested in one of these trips should call the Extension office for registration deadlines and further information.