February 2020

Content for March County Newsletters 

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS 

Host a student or adult chaperone this summer!

1. Costa Rica, 15-18, June-July 24 (apply to host by March 1)
2. Japan, 12-16, July 22-August 18
3. High school student from Japan, South Korea, Eurasia, 16-18, 2020-2021 school year
4. Young adult (IPYA) from Europe and Africa, 2-3 weeks hosting periods starting on July 11 through mid-October

 Contact Stephanie Davison for more information about international hosting opportunities. 

MONTANA 4-H FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

The Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship

Application Deadline is April 1, 2020 

All scholarships require certain criteria to be met, in order to be awarded. Please apply for only the scholarships you qualify for. Visit the website for a complete list of scholarship eligibility and donor criteria.

Please note: Applications are no longer being accepted in the office. It is now an online process.

Click Here for More Information About Scholarships
Click Here for Scholarship Application

AMTOPP Scholarship 

The AMTOPP scholarship was established in 2012 by AMTOPP (Association of Montana Turf, Ornamental and Pest Professionals) to encourage higher learning and interest in the ‘greens industry', while encouraging Montana youth to establish skills usable in Montana.

EXTENDED DEADLINE! Application deadline is February 28, 2020.

Click Here for More Rec Lab Information

2020 REC LAB

Perfect Vision for the Future 
APRIL 24-26
HOBSON, MT 
Registration is now open in 4-HOnline!

Please promote this fantastic event in your county. District 3 has put together a great event with over 40 workshops to choose from, speakers, and entertainment.  This has traditionally been a real highlight for 4-H members and volunteers, especially those younger teen leaders.

  Click Here for More Information  

 This event provides an opportunity for youth and adults to enhance their leadership, communication and team building skills in an action packed and interactive setting. Rec Lab programming is designed to provide participants with tips and tricks for being a better club, camp and community leader. This is an ideal event for younger senior members to attend a state event for the first time and begin to form relationships with 4-H peers form across the state, broadening their own skills and widening their network.  

Rec Lab will be hosted by District 3 in Hobson on April 24-26, 2020.Youth participants must be 13+ as of October 1, 2019 and Adult chaperones must be as least 21 years of age.

• $75 if registered by March 25 “Early Bird”
• $100 if registered by April 8 “Regular”
• $150 if registered by April 21 “Late” t-shirts will not be ordered for late registrants

Registration includes lodging, snacks, meals, t-shirts, workshops (some workshops have a small additional fee), and exciting speakers.

MONTANA 4-H CONGRESS 

Montana 4-H Congress provides youth from across the state an opportunity to come together on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman for four days and participate in an event like no other.

Congress offers both youth and adults a venue in which to learn, be challenged, and most of all, have a great time with their peers. Montana 4-Hers have been attending an event like Congress for decades. Congress has become an important tradition and is the signature event for the Montana 4-H Program.

 Due to Montana State University President’s Office hosting the National Conference for Land Grant Universities and a new student orientation all at the same time, the days of the congress are different than they’ve been in years past. Please be aware of this change, and save the dates on your calendar!!

 Pre Congress: Monday, July 6- Wednesday, July 8 //Learn More//

Congress: Wednesday, July 8- Saturday, July 11 //Learn More//

State Contests: Thursday, July 9  //Learn More//

The schedule for the event will be similar to years past just one day later.

• Pre Congress and officer selection will begin on Monday afternoon July 6 and go to noon Wednesday, July 8.
• Congress registration will begin July 8 at 1:00 PM there will be an opening session and activities on Wednesday
• Thursday, July 9 contests and community service and other activities will take place
• Friday, July 10 will be educational workshops and the closing banquet in the evening.
• No activities will take place on Saturday, just checkout.

CODING FOR KIDS 

This project provides access to technology education with Raspberry Pi coding computers, educational resources and mentoring to kids in rural areas of Montana who otherwise may not have access to this education due to their geographic location or socioeconomic status.

Thanks to the work of dozens of Information Technology professionals at Montana State University and a generous donation from David Kane Consulting, several Raspberry Pi coding computers are built and ready to share with 4-H Programs across Montana.  Raspberry Pi computers provide an easy way for youth to learn the science of coding. Youth can create games, digital art, apps and more using the Raspberry Pi computers and their new knowledge of coding.

Dillon Monday and Millie Veltkamp from MSU Extension, along with Ben Bushnell, an MSU computer science student will be leading this project for groups of 3-5 4-H’ers across Montana. Groups of kids, along with an adult volunteer can apply to be part of this project. 

Click Here for More Information 

Contacts:

True Leaders in Service

True Leaders in Service, a month-long community service activation, officially kick-offs the first day of April, and culminates with the National 4-H Day of Service on the last Saturday of April each year.

" 'I pledge…my hands to larger service…' We should all be familiar with this phrase. Most likely, you hear it each month at your club/group meeting as it’s a part of the 4-H pledge that all members learn. 4-H members are encouraged to develop and practice skills to become helpful or useful in their club/group, community, country, and world. Community service projects are an opportunity for youth to develop a sense of pride and ownership for the community in which they live. Additionally, community service allows youth to learn the value of giving back to the community while working with adults and helping others at the same time." -Implementing Effective Community Service Projects Fact Sheet from University of Illinois 

Start planning your projects using the resources from the National 4-H website
The Montana 4-H TLS webpage has some great marketing resources to help you get started as well!