Becker County 4-H Clover Connection

Our 2023 Minnesota 4-H Annual Volunteer Training “4-H for All Abilities” focuses on creating supportive 4-H environments for youth with disabilities. This training will support 4-H clubs, programs, and groups to understand why working with audiences with disabilities matters, identify best practices to support the unique needs of all youth and discover tips and resources for working with audiences of all abilities.

If you (or no one from your club) attended our October 30th training at the Extension Office please attend one of the online trainings found here:

https://4-h-volunteer.extension.umn.edu/train/annual-volunteer-training-library

The last training is Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Thanks to the generosity of the Becker County 4-H Council we have funding available for ALL 4-H members to receive financial assistance with any trips or camps they want to go to. You will need pay for the event in full. After the event has taken place you have 30 days to fill out the scholarship request form (found here) and then you will be reimbursed for the scholarship amount. The scholarship amount is dependent on how much the event/trip/camp costs. The council will *usually pay for up to half of the cost.

*For certain high price trip i.e. CWF the council will pay up to a certain amount

Citizenship Washington Focus will be June 20-27

• Registration opens November 15th and ends December 15th
• Register in 4honline

In December we will be starting a new opportunity for all adult volunteers to gather, discuss ideas, and learn new stuff. We will be meeting every other month on the months opposite of the 4-H Council meetings from 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Extension Office Meeting room. The Ambassadors meeting will be following from 7:00pm-8:00pm. This will give the ambassadors more opportunity to meet, plan events, and learn valuable skills. Our first Leaders Meeting will be December 11th at 6:00pm. Any 4-H volunteer is invited, bring your brain plus ideas and snacks to share.

We are looking for you to submit your club news to be featured in the monthly newsletter. This is a great way to show off your reporter skills and feature your club and all of the awesome stuff your club does! Email your club news to Elliott at lawre735@umn.edu before the end of every month to be featured in that month's eNewsletter!

Youth team members in grades 8+ will have the opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate a variety of animal science programs while exploring their passions and practicing leadership skills. They will also serve as positive role models for Minnesota 4-H and the animal science program. This experience will offer an opportunity to network with peers, mentors and industry professionals. This program is a 1-year commitment from January, 2024 to December, 2024. Application deadline: Dec. 15. Learn more and apply.

Consider applying to participate in the National 4-H Conference or Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), two exciting 4-H experiences that take place in Washington, DC, and the surrounding area.

• National 4-H Conference is a unique opportunity for 4-H members to share their voice with national decision makers. It’s the pinnacle experience in 4-H civic engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead, and impact their communities, nation, and world. Youth currently in grades 10 - 12 are invited to apply. Applications opened Oct. 1 and close on Nov. 14.

• Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) brings youth together from across the US to gain skills and experiences to become effective change agents. This experience is open to 4-H youth currently in grades 9+. Registration will open Nov. 15, and close Dec. 15.

Registration is now open for the 2024-25 cohort! This two-year adventure-based leadership program is designed to provide youth in grades 6-11 with intensive hands-on exploration in an area of interest associated with the outdoors, a Boundary Waters Canoe Area trip, and support to lead a conservation project. Deadline is December 22, 2023. Cost is $350 for the two years, which includes three retreats and the canoe trip. Learn more and apply.

There are two leadership workshops being offered this February! Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) is a youth-led workshop for youth in grades 6-9 that strengthens leadership, communication, and relationship skills. Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) is for youth in grades 10+ who want to boost their leadership skills. Becoming better leaders all while having a great time.

This year’s theme is "3, 2, 1, Blast off into Leadership!" Youth will learn about communication skills and the intake of information through engaging activities and discussions.

BLU & TEEL will be hosted in three different locations and all are overnight experiences:

• Feb. 3-4-BLU & TEEL at Castaway Club, Detroit Lakes

• Feb. 10-11-BLU & TEEL at Camp Omega, Waterville

• Feb. 17-18-BLU & TEEL at Camp Friendship, Annandale

To learn more about BLU and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HBLU and to learn more about TEEL and register visit z.umn.edu/4-HTEEL.

• 4-H Leaders Meeting- 12/11/23 6:00pm @the extension office
• Ambassador Meeting- 12/11/23 7:00pm @the extension office
• 4-H Council Meeting- 01/08/24 6:30pm @the extension office
• 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting- 01/11/24 7:00pm @the extension office

4-H Youth Development is a hands-on learning program for Minnesota youth. We offer online, small group and independent learning experiences for youth of all ages. In 4-H, youth choose the topic they find interesting and caring adults support their learning and leadership. From agronomy to space exploration and creative arts to outdoor adventures, 4-H has just the right learning experience for young people.

Email: lawre735@umn.edu
Website: extension.umn.edu/becker
Location: 1120 8th St SE, Detroit Lakes, MN, USA
Phone: 218-846-7328
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckercounty4h
Twitter: @beckercounty4h

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