International Exchange Opportunities for 4-H Teens and Young Alumni

A 4-H exchange program is available for youth ages 16-19 for the summer of 2010. American delegates may travel to Norway, Australia, Costa Rica, or Japan. Most countries' applications are due February 1st, so please contact the Extension Office now for more information.

4-H young alumni ages 19-30 can participate in IFYE (International 4-H Youth Exchange) programs next summer, but now is the time to start working on your application. Visit European countries, experience new cultures, and do this on the cheap! You are responsible for your airfare, but room and board are covered by the host families. If you are not yet old enough to travel, or have no desire to travel, consider hosting an IFYE from Europe in your home. Call the Extension Office for more details about hosting!

Honey Bee Essay Contest - Win $100

Is our community honey bee-friendly? Write an essay on this very topic and win $100 for first place. The 2010 essay contest, hosted by the The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. will accept youth entries until February 5, 2010. For a complete list of rules and entry guidelines, please contact the Extension Office. This is a great way to earn recognition for your writing and research skills, as well as learn more about honey bees and all that they do for us.

Storytelling Competition for Area Youth

The Southwest VA 4-H Center is hosting a story telling competition January 23, 2010, for interested youth. Presenters will have 8-12 minutes on stage to tell their tale. Winners from the state event will be eligible for the national contest in Tennessee. The contest is open to all youth ages 9-19. This sounds like a wonderful new opportunity. Many of you have great dramatic talent, so hopefully you will be able to showcase those skills in the story telling event. Please contact the Extension Office for more information.

Fair Theme Needed

Are you quick with words, or do you have a catchy theme for the 2010 Madison County Fair? The fair board is asking for 4-H's help. Since you decorate your pen area according to the theme, use this opportunity to suggest a theme that you really want to do. Send suggestions to malloryk@vt.edu. Entries are due by November 9th. Good luck! ANY 4-H'er can make a suggestion, not just those who show at the fair.

4-H Offier Training - Oct 31

All newly elected club officers are reminded of the Officer Training Workshop on Saturday, October 31st, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at Orange County High School. New this year: there will be two tracts (one for new officers and one for more experienced officers), so ALL are invited! There will also be a special session for 4-H adults! Please call the Extension Office to sign up, or you may e-mail Kelly at malloryk@vt.edu. Thanks!

4-H All Star Applications Due Soon

Senior 4-H'ers who are planning to apply for 4-H All Stars this year should begin working right now! Preliminary nominations are due to the county office by November 15th. Nominations must be typed, and forms are available online. Please let Kelly know if you plan to apply this year. This is also a great time for those who wish to apply in future years to talk to Kelly about it and start completing the form.

Agricultural Technology program Open House at Virginia Tech

The Agricultural Technology program at Virginia Tech is hosting an Open House for prospective students November 7, 2009. Please visit www.agtech.vt.edu for more information. Registration is due by October 30th; you can e-mail agtech@vt.edu or call 540-231-7649.

Wear the CLOVER all Week.

This week (Oct 4 - 10) is National 4-H Week. Celebrate by wearing the Clover or 4-H Colors all week!

Achievement Night - Save the Date!

Save the date: the 2009 4-H Achievement Night will be held Saturday, November 7th, at 5:30 p.m. Location is yet to be determined. Stay tuned for more details... All clubs and 4-H members, campers, etc. are invited to attend with their families. There will be a covered dish meal. All members can apply for Awards. See the following link http://madison4h.pbworks.com/Achievement-Night

Clovers All Over

All Southern States customers, and even those who are not, are encouraged to stop by Orange-Madison Co-op in the next two weeks to purchase a paper clover to benefit 4-H. This program, which coincides with National 4-H Week activities, is similar to charity fundraisers in retail establishments. For $1 each, customers can purchase a paper clover, write their name on the clover, and it will be posted in the window of each Southern States store. Proceeds benefit National 4-H Council and the local county 4-H program.

Denny Wayland Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament

Golfers & sponsors wanted!!! This annual golf tournament raises money to support 4-H in Madison and Orange counties. Denny was dedicated supporter of 4-H and this tournament lets his legacy of support live on. Please help us recruit players and sponsors. Contact the office or check the website for more details.

VA State Fair moves to New Grounds

SAME GREAT NAME, NEW LOCATION!
The VA State Fair has move to CArolilne County. This year's fair will take place Sept 24 - Oct 4 at The Meadow Event Park, off of I-95 at exit 98 next to Kings Dominion. It's the best of Virginia! Come see Virginia’s finest animals and agriculture, exhibits and shows, toe-tappin' music, fine arts and crafts, blue ribbon competitions and more! Plan now to be a part of one of Virginia's greatest annual traditions since 1854.

Youth Equine Art Contst

The Virginia Horse Council, in partnership with the State Fair of Virginia, is offering a Youth Equine Art Contest for Virginia youth artists during the 2009 State Fair. Share your best horse art with everyone who attends the State Fair! Entries in the Equine Art Competition will be on display in the Arts & Crafts Hall for the duration of the 2009 State Fair. To enter go to the competitions section of the state fair website www.statefair.com/competitions and look under Youth Arts & Crafts, & Baked Goods for the guidelines. You do not have to be a 4-H member to enter the Equine Art Contest.

Eco-Ventures

Twenty eight local youth learned how they can live green. The three day 4-H Eco-Ventures Event helped them recognized the importance of protecting the environment, conserving resources and recycling. Youth hiked around Montpelier exploring the forest and learning about trees and wildlife. They also travel down the watershed to Lake Anna for some up close water explorations. The final day had them traveling up the trash mountain at the Orange

County Landfill for a behind the scenes tour. They also got to practice their recycling skills first hand. Participants competed to win a spot of the local radio station with a eco themed public service announcement. Youth who participated left with a recycling box and a family conservation plan.

4-H Members learn about the Past

Local 4-H members spent a few days this summer having fun learning about the past. Youth who participated in the 4-H Heritage Days workshop cooked their meals over the campfire, learned crafts like basket weaving, tin puch and leather working. They also played games like marbles and jacks. Jane Volchanski from the Madison Historical Society shared information about Madison County. Master Naturalist Jack and Sally Price lead a nature walk and talked about how plants were important to the early citizens. It was a fun and educational event for all!

Youth enjoyed 4-H Summer Workshops

This summer several youth participated in the fun workshops.

The theme for this year was "Back to Basics"

Quilting was out first activity. With the help from the local Quilting Guild youth received one on one instruction. Youth learned how to select fabric, sew squares and put the layers together. Each participant left with a completed wall hanging. One youth even won best of show at the county fair with her first quilt.

Canning was another workshop offering. Youth learn the process of hot water bath canning by making jam, pickles and salsa. They each took home what they made.

We offered two workshops for cloverbuds. Youth ages 5 - 8 gathered for some fun with arts and crafts. They also learned to make a snack from scratch.

A good time was had be all!

Sunshine for the Last Day

The sun came out for our last day of camp. Everyone is in overdrive trying to finish class projects, have the most fun possible, collect contact info for their new friends over the summer, etc., etc.

Rain Doesn't Deter Camp Fun

Through the rain and heavy drizzle all day, camp has gone on with a smile! Our afternoon program featured instruction and practice for many of the popular line dances kids do today. Cave meetings were next, and then the usual recreation and swimming time was replaced with indoor rec and games. The summer staff did a great job of leading activities and keeping the kids busy and upbeat.

We had a quick hospital run for one camper just before dinner, but that situation turned out okay, thank goodness! The camper was back in plenty of time to enjoy the dance, which was the ultimate goal. :) Between rec and dinner, we allowed extra time in the dorms for some rest and relaxation. Who are we kidding? That time was not used for sleep, but rather extra showers, time for curling hair, plenty of Axe cologne in the boys' lodges, and lots of preparation trying on special outfits for the dance! This is literally the highlight of the week for some campers, but it's a treat for the adults to observe as well. The campers are so cute preparing for the big event! One camper dressed up in a suit! The dance is going on now, and the room is full!!! The kids seem to be having a great time with lots of fast songs, and are making a lot of good memories for the last night of camp. Unfortunately, our last campfire will be indoors as well, but we plan to end with a special ceremony to commemorate the 2009 camp. Yesterday it seemed the week would never end, but today it seems to have all gone by so quickly.

Thanks for keeping up with our camp activities. Stay tuned for more updates. Remember, Orange campers return to Orange Elementary at 6:30 p.m. Thursday; Madison campers return to Madison High School/Wetsel Middle School at 6:00 p.m.

If it's raining and you know it...

...clap your hands! Wait--that would be much too loud. Sure enough, the rains set in at the Center today, but we're carrying on with camp activities as best we can. GPS/Techno Treasure Hunt moved inside and students are making topographical maps of the camp using Play-Dough. Chorus/Singing students are jamming, with many strong voices and lots of clapping and movement. We tried fishing in first period, but it was too rainy for the campers' liking, so they're conducting class at Fairfax Shelter. Canoeing and swimming classes were cancelled because there must be at least ten degrees difference between water and air temperature in order to get in. So...they are conducting team-building games indoors.

The 4-H elves showed up for Woodworking sometime last night and finished projects that were lagging behind in order that campers may paint/varnish/decorate tool boxes today. Multimedia students are busy preparing photos for the much-anticipated slide show during tomorrow's closing ceremony, and the CIT's (counselors in training) are decorating for the dance tonight.

We're looking forward to taco salads for lunch!

The rains held off ... for awhile!

The light sprinkles at lunch turned out to be nothing; in fact, some classes didn't even feel the rain. After chicken nuggets for lunch, the afternoon program featured a "4-H Camp Live" show by the summer staff. This was a spin-off of the famous Saturday Night Live show and featured much camper involvement and interviews. We were able to enjoy swim and recreation time, though the weather was much cooler and more windy as the front came through. Dinner was spaghetti (not a camper favorite), but the orange sherbet dessert seemed to end things on a good note.

Our evening program was a game show night, featuring 4-H versions of Deal or No Deal, Money versus the Mob, and Fear Factor. Deal or No Deal contestants competed for bear claws, which are the 4-H camp equivalent of points. Bear claws are earned by packs for good deeds, winning competitions, and good behavior or performance. In Money vs. the Mob, campers answered trivia questions related to Orange, Madison, 4-H in general, and 4-H Camp. Parents: you should be proud of your little campers! Fear Factor was the grand finale, and boy, was it hilarious!!! Campers who signed up for the event drank carrot juice out of a baby bottle, went ice fishing with their toes, and then experienced several eating challenges. Wasabi peas, black forest worms, peppers, brussels sprouts, and chocolate covered grasshoppers made their way onto the tables. Don't worry: ALL participation was voluntary and the audience seemed to have as much fun, if not more, as the participants!!! :-) (Some of you can probably guess if your camper participated or not.)

Just as we were ready to move into campfire, the rains came! So we had snack under cover and then an indoor "campfire" in the Conference Center. Same traditions, different methods! Great Bear Erika Elford provided good leadership. The Outdoor Living Skills class moved their traditional overnight sleepover indoors, but they have tents and sleeping bags just the same. It appears the rain will still be here tomorrow, so we'll make more modifications on the schedule. Nighttime checks are almost complete. Stay tuned for more camp experiences tomorrow!

A Few Photos from Camp

Woodworking instructor, Sawtooth, examines a camper's project

Fishing instructor Flipper helps campers untangle fishing lines during a dry-land casting trial before heading to the lake

Giggles and Intern pose for a shot with ReeseStrong, our paper doll version of a little girl with cancer, visiting camp for the week

Lunch time update

We made it through the morning successfully! Light sprinkles seem to be setting in now, but we're trying to look on the bright side. Campers cooped up inside at camp is NOT a good thing, as we're sure you parents understand. If it's just rain, we'll swim anyway!

Morning class activities included: Fun with Foods made omelets and chose their own toppings. It was funny how cheese was the most popular filling, and onions and green peppers were the least favorites! :-) LEGO Robotics programmed their robots to complete a challenge course. The campers' use of the computers and programming was amazing. Riflery and archery reiterated safety, and then practiced their marksmanship, with several campers hitting the bulls-eye. The fish were biting in fishing class, and outdoor cooking got a good fire going to toast their S'mores. Leathercraft individuals were pounding away (literally), but made some beautiful stamped designs that they will bring home to you. The hip hop class' dance moves are starting to come together--watching teens coreograph routines for youngsters is fun to watch!

Lunch time now--the campers are lined up singing camp songs while waiting to head into the dining hall. Keep those e-mails coming; we've received, printed, and distributed more than 100 so far.

Good Morning Campers!

It is another beautiful day at the NOVA 4-H Center. Sunny and 70. After a yummy breakfast of sausage biscuits, fried apples and cereal campers have headed off the their classes! Hopefully some fish are caught, some goals made and some strokes learned.

Day 2 - Another Great Day!!

We had another awesome day at camp. The weather was great and so were the campers. This afternoon we enjoyed the pool and recreation. The evening was spent at the Carnival. Campers had the opportunity to visit various booths including: facepainting, penny pitch, toilet paper toss and more. A great time was had by all. We celebrated the end of the day with the nightly campfire. Looking forward to another great day tommorow.

Morning Classes Were Fun!

The first night went well. There were a few cases of homesickness, but the counselors and adult volunteers handled them well. Breakfast this morning was french toast sticks, oranges, cereal, and bacon. Campers attended three classes, and we're now getting ready for lunch. In the fishing class, campers practiced casting on dry land before hitting the water. Canoeing students learned a few safety tips, donned life jackets, and went for some smooth rides on Lake Culpeper. Campers made homemade goop and sidewalk chalk in the arts and crafts class, and Woodworking youth sanded the pieces for their take-home tool boxes. Stay tuned for more updates!

At campfire last night, campers were introduced to a special "guest" at camp this year. We have a 'ReeseStrong' paper doll from a six year old girl in Richmond who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments all summer. Since Reese cannot be outside much, and cannot travel, her family created the ReeseStrong paper dolls to travel for her. We have a doll here at camp and are documenting our 4-H camp experience through photos, which will be shared via e-mail.

Great First Day of Camp!!

Day 1 was great for Orange-Madison 4-H Junior Camp. The weather has been beautiful, and the campers and teens are terrific! We arrived at the Center without many incidents, although we did have motion sickness and a nose bleed on two different buses. Don't worry, parents: both campers are okay! We checked into our dorms, went to the pool, and had chicken patties for dinner. Our evening program tonight was a 4-H version of The Amazing Race, a series of clues and hikes to familiarize campers with the 4-H Center. We had a great campfire led by Great Bear Erika Elford, and we're now getting ready to head to bed. Thanks for your interest, and keep checking back here for updates on our camp experience!

June is Dairy Month!

FUEL UP WITH MILK was the theme for the 2009 June is Dairy Month Poster Contest. Eleven local youth made creative and colorful posters with this theme.
Junior Category: 1st - Rachel Boone, Mary Kate Carpenter & Sarah Coates; 2nd - Sarah Jarrell; 3rd - Kara Price & Carlie Lambrich
Intermediate Category - 1st - Tori White; 2nd - Madison Lambrich
Senior Category - 1st - Daniel Comyn, Dustin Farmer & Christopher Coates.
The poster are on display at the Madison Co-op.

Garrett Henshaw wins State FFATractor Driving Contest

Garrett Henshaw's hours in the tractor seat on the farm have finally paid off. Garrett won the state wide FFA tractor driving contest last month. He and FFA advisor RJ Nobblitt will travel to Massachutes this fall for the national competition. Garrett's first experience with the tractor driving contest was as a 4-H member at the county fair. He won that contest several time over the years and got the expeience needed to excel at the senior level.

4-H Summer Workshops

Each summer we offer a great selection of workshop for local youth. This year we are getting back to the roots of 4-H. Sign up at the Extension Office.

Quilting (ages 10-13)
Canning Basics (ages 9-14)
A Snack from Scratch (ages 5 - 8)
Arts & Crafts (ages5 - 8)
Heritage Days (ages 9 and up)

4-H Members Celebrate Global Youth Service Day

The Madison Centaurs 4-H Club members celebrated Global Youth Service Day and Go Green week by picking up trash on their Adopted Road in Madison County on April 23, 2009.

Poultry Judgers Earn Top Honors

Madison and Culpeper 4-H members teamed up for the 2009 VA Poultry Federation Youth Convention on April 24 at the Rockingham Co Fairgrounds. This was the largest contest in many years with over 200 4-Hers and FFA members participating. The poultry judging contest consisted of judging exterior and interior qualities of market eggs, grading both chicken and turkey carcasses, identifying poultry parts, and placing 2 classes of production hens along with oral reasons for those placings.

Contest Results: Madison-Culpeper Junior A Team – 1st place team; Madison-Culpeper Junior B Team – 3rd place team and Madison-Culpeper Senior Team – 3rd place team
Overall High Point Juniors: Nathaniel Sides/Madison 1st place, Anna Maria Eakins/Madison 2nd place, Tim Hughes/Culpeper 3rd place and Simeon Koranek/Madison 4th place
Overall High Point Seniors: Micah Koranek/Madison 2nd place, Rebekah Yowell/Madison 7th place.

The M/C Team B did not place any individuals in the top ten but the team included: Sarah Hughes/Culpeper, Bryan Jarrell/Madison, Sarah Jarrell/Madison an d Elizabeth Koranek/Madison. Mary Quinn Eakins/Madison Senior 4-Her assisted in coaching the team and served as a contest proctor in the FFA division of the contest. Because Mary Quinn has been a member of the VA state poultry judging team she is no longer eligible to participate as a contestant so she has put her skills into coaching.

Afternoon activities included: the Poultry Carnival. touring Tyson’s processing plant or the VA Department of Agriculture’s Lab in Harrisonburg, a necropsy workshop and an embryology workshop.

Club leaders and chaperones accompanying the 4-Her’s were Laurie Hughes, Cherie Jarrell, and Norma Sides.

Boaters Safety Class hosted by Orange 4-H Anglers Club

The OCHS 4-H Anglers Club is offering a Boater Safety Class on May 24th at the high school from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. This class will be required by the year 2011 for anyone under age 21. Why not participate now and learn how to be safe on the water? Please contact club leader Becky Gore at iteach72@yahoo.com for more information. The class has no set fee, though a donation to the OCHS 4-H Anglers Club is suggested.

June is Dairy Month Poster Contest

Show off your artistic talents. All youth are encouraged to submit entries for this year's June is Dairy Month poster contest by May 29, 2009. The theme is "Fuel up with milk", and contest divisions are open to juniors, intermediates, and seniors. Cloverbuds are encouraged to create posters, but theirs will not be judged (per cloverbud policy). Posters must be original artwork (no computer graphics) and on posterboard that is exactly 14" x 22". Other sizes are ineligible. Please visit http://www.dasc.vt.edu/youth/images/poster.pdf for more info.

Centaurs Celebrate Global Youth Service Day

The members of the Madison Centaurs Horse Club celebrated Global Youth Service Day by cleaning up their stretch of Oneals Road. Members met on Thursday evening to clean up the roadway and beautify their environment!

District Contest Results

4-H District Contests for Presentations and Share-the-Fun Talent Shows were held Saturday in Ruckersville. Six Madison 4-H members participated in the contests. All participants earned Blue Awards! Anna Maria Eakins with her dramatic poem "The Blue and the Gray"; Alisha Gould with her piano selection "All That Jazz"; Becki Broyles with her presentation titled "How to Make a Scrapbook Page"; Caleb Kellison with his Tae Kwando presentation; Kelly Jarvis with her jazz dance act and "Banana Blitz Smoothie" presentation and Mary Quinn Eakins in Fashion Revue. Great job to all!!

Madison County Fair Livestock Entries Now Avaliable

The Livestock Entry Catalog and forms are now posted on the 4-H website. http://madison4h.pbwiki.com

Adventure Club take top honors at State Wildlife Contest

Madison 4-H Adventure Club members Kelly Jarvis, Sheyanne Reed, Becki Broyles, David Yowell and Meghan Ward represented the County program at the 2009 State 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Contest held April 4, in Albemarle Co. The team of Kelly Jarvis, Becki Broyles and David Yowell won first place in the Junior age division for competitors ages 9-13 years. Kelly Jarvis won first place in wildlife species identification and oral presentation. David Yowell won second place in wildlife management practices and oral presentation and a third place award for wildlife species identification. Becki Broyles won third place award for in general knowledge. Sheyanne Reed and Meghan Ward competed in the beginner’s division. They completed posters on wildlife biology and management. In addition to their fourth and sixth place overall awards they received several 4-H Danish blue and red awards

The nationally based 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) requires youth to learn the food, water, shelter and space preferences of approximately 40 Virginia wildlife species. The skills and knowledge learned through participation in WHEP prepares youth for college and professional level opportunities in the field of wildlife and fisheries management. For more information, contact Virginia Cooperative Extension – Madison County office at 948-6881.

4-H Camp Paperwork and Fees Due April 24th

4-H Camp paper work has been mailed; thanks to those who have already returned their completed forms. If you have not, please make this a priority! Remember that all forms are due by April 24th (next Friday). Final camp balances are also due, or there will be a $20 late fee assessed. Thanks for your cooperation!

Teen Reality Weekend at 4-H Center

Do you know the details surrounding buying a car? Could you write a resume and get a job? Teens wanting to learn more about 'the real world' and topics such as these should make plans to attend the first Teen Reality Weekend at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center, May 15-17. A complete brochure and registration form can be downloaded from: http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/northern/documents/TeenWeekend_000.pdf . This sounds like a fun and informative program!!!

Miss America Credits 4-H with Passion for Service

Ask Katie Stam about her passion for community service, and she'll tell you it all started with 4-H. Long before winning her title as Miss America, Katie Stam would spend hours in 4-H performing in creative dramatics, competing at the Jackson County fair, and visiting with 4-H friends and family. It was there that she learned the values of leadership, mentorship, and community service. And like most 4-H kids, she collected blue ribbons and trophies along the way to mark her accomplishments. With community service as her national platform, Katie could potentially transform the way millions of young people think about community service and 4-H. "4-H is such an advocate for community service," said Katie. "It encourages you to reach out to people in so many different ways."

4-H Home Ec Club Commuity Easter Egg Hunt

April 5 – Community Easter Egg Hunt

The Madison 4-H Home Economics Club will host a community Easter Egg Hunt at Hoover Ridge Park (next to the Primary School). The event will start at 3:00 pm and feature face painting, egg hunting and more. Join us for an afternoon of fun!

4-H Camp - Summer Fun!

All Madison youth ages 9 - 13 may register to attend 4-H Junior Camp. This year we will attend camp from June 14 - 18 at the beautiful Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal, VA. Cost to attend is $200 per camper.
At camp youth have the opportunity to participate in hands-on educational activities, swimming, recreation, campfire and more!!
Camp fills up quickly. Sign-up Now! Registration information is avaliabel at madison4h.pbwiki.com or the Madison Extension Office.

4-H Horse Camp

HORSE CAMP - Five days of fun (bring your horse to camp):
August 9-13, 2009

This 4-H Horse Camp is just the thing for the avid horse enthusiast, ages 9-13 (as of 9/30/09)!
This camp is for participants and their horse with ANY level of experience. Classes will consist of
some hands-on activities, blacksmith presentations, general equine health, styles of riding, grooming, RIDING, and much more. Bring your own horse. Saddle up, rope ‘em in, and ride baby ride! $300 if received before May 1, 2009 (regular reg: $350). REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/northern/documents/20094HBrochure_001.pdf

4-H Congress Information

4-H Congress information has now been released!!! Contact the Extension Office today for a delegate packet. State 4-H Congress is the premier teen event for Virginia 4-H. Delegates must be at least 14 by 9/30/09. Congress delegates stay in the dormitories at Virginia Tech, and enjoy a number of educational and social events. Nationally-known guest speakers present at Congress, state competitions are held during Congress, and delegates have the opportunity to take workshops from a variety of experts in a number of categories. There are two dances during the week, a midnight pizza party, and district Olympics. In addition, State 4-H Cabinet positions are elected during Congress. This is a WONDERFUL event for TEENS ONLY. I hope you will consider going.

Senior Youth Conservation Camp

The annual Youth Conservation Camp will be held July 12-18, 2009, at Virginia Tech. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible for this camp, which is coordinated by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Topics include: lake ecology, fisheries management, forestry and wildlife issues, turfgrass management, land use planning, soils, agricultural best management practices, geology, shoreline erosion and stream morphology. If you have any questions or would like an application, please call the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District at (540)825-8591. Applications must be completed and submitted to the CSWCD by April 17th. Please contact malloryk@vt.edu or call the Extension Office for an application. For this camp, the District pays $425 and each camper pays only $25! What an awesome opportunity!!!

4-H Japanese Summer Exchange

Learn about a whole new culture without leaving home! Establish a lifetime friendship with a Japanese student! Host families are needed from July 22 to August 18, 2009 to host 12 to 17 year old students from Japan. To host a student families must have a child between 11 and 18 years old. Otherwise they are welcome to host a chaperone for a two week period of time. For more information go to madison4h.pbwiki.com.

4-H Teen Outdoor Adventure Weekend

Outdoor Adventure for teens held in the Jefferson National Forest outside of Blacksburg on April 24-26, 2009. Teens have the opportunity to learn about camping, hiking, caving, rock climbing, and more. Contact the Extension Office for more information.

4-H Camp Registration Now Open!

Youth Powered - Batteries Not Included

All Madison youth ages 9 - 13 may register to attend 4-H Junior Camp. This year we will attend camp from June 14 - 18 at the beautiful Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal, VA. Cost to attend is $200 per camper.

At camp youth have the opportunity to participate in hands-0n educational activities, swimming, recreation, campfire and more!!

Camp fills up quickly. Sign-up Now! Registration information is avaliabel at madison4h.pbwiki.com or the Madison Extension Office.

4-H Presentation Contest

Call all youth! Come share your knowledge and build your self-confidence.
Register to participate in the annual 4-H Presentation Contest on March 20, 3:45 p.m. at the Madison Extension Office. Go to madision4h.pbwiki.com for more details and to sign-up

4-H Share-the-Fun Talent Show

Madison's got Talent ! All youth ages 9 - 18 are invited to share their talents by participating in Share-the-Fun. Contests will be held March 11, 3:30 p.m. at Waverly Yowell Elementary School and March 12, 6:30 p.m. at William Wetsel Middle School. Pre-registration is required. Check out madison4h.pbwiki.com for more details.

4-H Camp - Batteries Not Included

The weather outside may be frightful, but warmer days are coming. Now is the time to think about summer activities like 4-H Camp. Each summer youth from Madison and Orange join together for a week of 4-H camping in the beautiful mountains just outside of Front Royal. The date for the 2009 camp is June 14– 18.

4-H camp provides educational, recreational and social experiences in outdoor living away from home. Campers stay in dorm style cabins with showers and restrooms, enjoy a small lake, Junior Olympic size swimming pool and eat family style meals. Campers meet new friends, enjoy afternoon swim time and evening campfires, but camp is so much more. Youth learn to get along with other people and take responsibility for their own decisions and actions. They have the chance to explore new interest and discover special talents. Campers interact with caring teens and adults in a friendly and positive environment.

Camp registration forms will be available at the Madison Extension Office on February 23. Camp is open to all Madison County youth ages 9 -13 (as of Sept 30, 2009). Cost to attend camp is $200. This includes lodging, meals, t-shirts, snacks, recreation and transportation to camp.

Camp Counselors Wanted

Any teens ages 14+ as of 1/1/09 are encouraged to apply to be 4-H Camp Counselors. Applications are posted at http://madison4h.pbwiki.com/, in the sidebar. Camp is a fun experience, it's great for leadership skill-building, looks good on college applications, and is another point in a different area on the 4-H All Star application.