Sherburne County 4-H Newsletter

Happy Friday!

I hope you all stayed warm in the cold weather we had, it looks like it should be warming up the coming week which is exciting!

Market beef ID deadline is coming up fast on the 17th.

The office will be closed on the 16th for Presidents' day!

That's all for now! Have a happy Valentine's Day!

Sam Stone

Extension Educator, Sherburne County 4-H Youth Development | Sherburne County Extension | University of Minnesota | umn.edu

ston0392@umn.edu | 763-765-3077

Monday 2/09: Remote

Tuesday 2/10: Office

Wednesday 2/11: Office

Thursday 2/12: Office

Friday 2/13: Remote

Monday 2/16: Office Closed

Tuesday 2/17: Office

Wednesday 2/18: Remote

Thursday 2/19: Office

Friday 2/20: Remote

NOTE: When working remote, I can be contacted via email at ston0392@umn.edu or text my cell at (320) 496-3374.

4-H Youth Development is seeking a committed group of teens to join our Camp Counselor team for our 4-H summer camp offerings! Counselors are an integral part of our summer camp team & inspire local young campers with engagement, skills, knowledge, & passion!

Do I qualify to apply?

Do you have a willingness to try new things and enjoy a challenge? Do you enjoy working with youth outdoors in the sunshine?

Expand your leadership toolbox with 4-H through direct experience working with other teens to plan events and summer programs!

No prior 4-H experience necessary – all local teens ages 15-19 are encouraged to apply!

Important spring & summer dates:

4-H Camp Clover: June 28th - July 1, 2026

Camp Counselors receive approximately 20 hours of youth development training facilitated by 4-H educators and interns. The training sessions focus on a variety of topics, including how to facilitate hands-on curriculum, learning camp songs and games, behavior management of young campers, what it means to be a positive role model, and more! Camp Counselors will co-create themes for camp, develop the daily schedule of activities, and continuously strengthen their own leadership styles.

Camp Counselor Training Dates:

• Sunday, March 22th from 1-5pm in Maplewood, MN.

• Sunday, April 19th from 1-5pm in Minneapolis, MN.

• Sunday, May 17th from 1-5pm in Jordan, MN.

• Tuesday, June 23rd from 9:30am-3:30pm in Minneapolis, MN.

• Sunday, June 28th (At the start of overnight camp, at Camp Koronis.)

Application Process:

1. Interested teens will fill out an online application.

2. Teens will take part in a group interview, to share their interest and prior leadership experience.

3. 4-H Staff will select 8 summer camp counselors– teens will respond to accept or decline their position before moving forward with training.

Complete the Online Application today!

Get ready for three unforgettable days at 4‑H Camp at Sand Hill Lake!

This three‑day, two‑night overnight adventure invites youth in grades 3-8 to dive into summer with hands-on activities, outdoor fun, creative projects and plenty of classic camp games.

Camp will begin at 2 p.m. on June 2 and end at 11 a.m. on June 4.

Whether you’re a returning camper or trying overnight camp for the first time, you’ll be surrounded by friendly counselors, enthusiastic staff and a community of peers excited to make new memories together.

Be sure to reserve your spot early — camp fills quickly, and we’d love to see you there!

Interested in being a camp counselor? Review the camp counselor information packet for more information.

Registration opens on Feb. 2 and closes on May 1 in 4‑H Online.

Learn more and register here.

Please note: While the facility being rented for this program is a Bible camp, 4-H Camp at Sand Hill Lake is a non-religious program open to all youth.

We’re thrilled to announce two exciting ways staff, volunteers, and community partners can support
youth leadership development through the 2026 Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) regional workshops! Whether you're passionate about leading engaging sessions or helping youth step into leadership roles, your involvement helps shape the next generation of changemakers.

Call for Workshop Proposals

Do you have a great idea for a hands-on, youth-focused leadership session? We’re now accepting proposals for one-hour workshops at the 2026 BLU events! These sessions should help youth in grades 6+ build leadership skills, connect with others, and explore the world around them.

We welcome proposals from:

• Volunteers
• Youth leaders
• Community partners
• Youth co-presenters are especially encouraged!

Workshop Dates

Saturdays between January 31 and February 28, 2026. Proposal Deadline: Friday, November 14. Submit your idea here.

Help Recruit Youth Program Facilitators

We’re also looking for youth in grades 10+ and young 4-H alumni to serve as Youth Program Facilitators (YPFs) at BLU! YPFs will co-lead small group learning alongside MN 4-H State Ambassadors, helping younger participants engage in meaningful leadership experiences. This is a fantastic opportunity for youth who are: Empathetic and inclusive, strong communicators, ready to lead and support other. Application Deadline: Sunday, November 30

Learn more and apply here. If you have questions about either opportunity, please reach out to Jacquie & Meg.

Come test your skills with archery where you will have the opportunity to showcase your archery and wildlife skills and learn from peers, coaches, and volunteers in a positive environment! Open to youth grades 4+. Register in 4-H Online by March 26, 2025. Medals will be awarded to the top individuals in the archery competition!

Find more details and register here:

https://extension.umn.edu/event/stevens-county-archery-invitational

We’re curious about how kids your age learn about plants, and whether you’ve used plant identification apps or not, your input matters! If you’re a 4-H member in kindergarten through one year past high school, we’d love for you to take this short survey. There are no right or wrong answers, just your honest thoughts. We’re trying to understand how youth use (or don’t use) plant ID apps, and what makes them helpful or challenging. Your feedback will help us create better resources to guide people in choosing and using these tools. This survey is led by the Invasive Species Education Community of Practice (IS CoP), a group of Extension and university professionals who collaborate to explore educational and research opportunities around invasive species, share ideas, and grow professionally together. Take the youth survey here:

Did you know that you can obtain some of your State Shoot Wildlife hours through online state offerings? Join Wildlife Wednesdays! Each week, you'll discover something new and inspiring about nature — from secret animal behaviors to incredible ecosystems — all while learning how to protect and respect the environment around us. Whether you're curious, have a love for animals, or looking for a midweek adventure, this series is your gateway to conservation knowledge and a lifelong love of nature. Sessions will be held virtually, 7-8 p.m., on the following Wednesdays: Nov. 19 and 26; Dec. 3, 10 and 17; Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Feb. 4, 11 and 25; March 4, 11, 18 and 25; and April 1 and 8. Go to the Wildlife Wednesdays webpage for more information and registration!

Fill out the form below or email Sam at ston0392@umn.edu

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