Teen Counselors Wanted!

Calling all teens ages 14 and up as of January 1 of this year and in ninth grade or higher! 

Orange-Madison 4-H Camp will be held June 14-18 at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal, and we are currently accepting applications for youth that are interested in being a counselor. To be a camp counselor, you must be willing to assist with classes, be responsible for a room with five campers ages 9-13, and lead various group meetings and games.

Camp is a great opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and work on your leadership skills. College may be a way off for some of you, but many college and scholarship applications look very favorably, and ask about leadership skills.

To be a camp counselor you must:

• Be a friendly person!
• Set a good example for the campers and be a good role model
• Encourage the campers to participate in activities and make them feel welcome and at home
• Be willing to carry out instructions or directions
• Serve as a class assistant, helper, or teach a class
• Help with recreation, evening programs, and campfire activities

If that sounds like something you would be interested in, there are some things that you need to do! You need to pick up an application either at the high school office or at the extension office. You will need to have that application filled out and returned to the extension office by JANUARY 31.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the extension office at 948-6881!

Glenwood Park Livestock Show

Glenwood Park Livestock Show information is now available!  The Glenwood Show will take place Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Loudoun County 4-H Fairgrounds.  Show rules and entry form packets are available at the Extension Office.

Beef entries are due by February 10^th and Sheep entries are due by March 10^th.  Any entry postmarked beyond entry due date will be charged double the normal fee.  No beef entries will be accepted if postmarked in excess of one week past entry due date. Sheep entries will be accepted up until the day of the show at double the normal fee.  Entry fees are not refundable and must accompany the entry form.  Checks should be made payable to GLENWOOD PARK LIVESTOCK SHOW.  Any returned check fees, bank fees, or other collection fees will be the responsibility of the exhibitor. 

A completed, signed “Health History Report for 4-H Members” must accompany each entry form.  No adding entries, substituting, or switching of classes will be permitted unless a mistake is made in printing the catalog. 

Natural Resources Weekend 2015

Natural Resource Weekend is heading here quickly!  The 2015 Natural Resource Weekend will be held January 24-25 at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center.  This weekend camp is open to youth ages 9-19 and adult volunteers.  All youth under the age of 18 must come with adult supervision.

The cost is $60 per person before January 2, 2015 and $70 per person after January 2, 2015. 

Workshop topics include Wildlife ID and Tracks; GPS; Wildlife Anatomy; Snakes; Intro to the Wildlife Habitat Education Program; Bat Conservation; Duck Decoy Painting; and more!
Registration deadline is January 15.

For more information, please contact the Extension Office.

4-H Day at State Capitol

4-H Day at the Capitol event will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.  This event provides the opportunity for 4-Hers to learn more about state government, meet local legislators, and encourage civic engagement ( citizenship).  Members will have the opportunity to meet with the local legislators in their offices; talk with them about what it is like to be a state lawmaker and the impact that they have on their local communities; explore the state capitol building; and be an overall fantastic ambassador for Orange County 4-H!

This event is recommended for older junior and senior 4-H members as it is an early morning and then there is a lot of walking and waiting (sometimes we are in line to meet with the lawmakers as they normally have other meetings that they have to attend or constituents to meet with.)  4-Hers who attend this trip need to be prepared to share their 4-H story and come with questions and be ready to talk with the legislators.  The legislators love to answer questions and hear what you have to say!

4-H members will receive a 4-H vest that is to be worn that day.  Due to having to have these vests ordered in time for the Capitol Day please call the office if youare planning to attend no later than January 15.  

Honey Bee Essay Contest

The 2015 Beekeeping Essay contest has been posted, and the deadline is coming up quickly.  This essay contest is sponsored by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc and Virginia 4-H.  The deadline for applying isFebruary 9.  Cash prizes are awarded to the top 3 winners in the state and the state winner goes on to compete nationally. 
The topic for the essay this year is " “Planting for Bees from Backyards and Up”

Beekeeping has become difficult due to a lack of native plants for forage.  In this essay, you will be required to discuss ways that habitats can be modified to become “bee friendly”.  Does your community allow roadsides and open land to grow wildflowers and encourage native planting of bee friendly plants?

More information, judging criteria, and entry rules contact the Extension Office

Required Statements Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120