4-H Awards and Recognition Program

Whether you're a 4-H'er or an adult 4-H volunteer, if you're doing great 4-H work in Michigan, there are lots of ways to be recognized for it! In this issue, we are highlighting youth recognition. There are five kinds of youth recognition. They are listed here in order of age of eligibility.

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

If you are a 4-H'er in 5th to 12th grade and you are an active volunteer, you may want to apply for a Prudential Spirit of Community Award, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals. You can apply online here or here. Applications must be submitted to a county 4-H program coordinator by November 1. For more information visit Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.

4-H Mark of Excellence Award

4-H'ers who are 11 or 12 years old are eligible to apply for the 4-H Mark of Excellence Award. To enter, a young person needs to write an essay on the theme, "Because of 4-H I can . . . ." Counties select their representatives, and submit names and essays to the State

4-H Awards Committee. For more information and instructions, see the "Overview and Instructions" link listed on the 4-H web site. Deadline for submission is February 1.

Project Medals

Outstanding members between the ages of 11 and 13 are likely to be considered for one of these medals that celebrate excellent work in a particular project area. Each county may establish its own criteria for awarding the medals and process for determining medal recipients.

State 4-H Awards Program

The State 4-H Awards program, the highest honor bestowed on Michigan 4-H youth, is for 4-H youth aged 13 and up who have at least three years of 4-H experience. Youth compete in 19 different award areas showcasing their knowledge, skills and experiences. To apply, youth submit the State 4-H Awards application to State4HAwards@anr.msu.edu by February 1. Applications are carefully reviewed by selection committees. Delegates are invited to participate in either an advanced leadership development program (juniors) or competitive interviews (seniors) during 4-H Exploration Days. State 4-H Award winners are announced at the 4-H Recognition Program, during 4-H Exploration Days. Complete instructions (including an overview and a webinar) and the application, are on the "4-H Awards and Recognition Program" web page.

Michigan 4-H Key Club Award

The 4-H Key Club Award is intended to be the top county 4-H honor and selections are made at the county level. To be eligible, a 4-H member must be 15 years old by the beginning of the project year (September 1). Other eligibility requirements are listed on the application.

Citizenship Washington Focus

Michigan 4-H youth will again have the opportunity to attend the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) program at the National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland, from June 13th through June 20th, 2015. Exploration Days does not conflict with this trip.

It is a National 4-H program, so delegates have a chance to interact with youth from all over the nation while they are learning leadership skills and exploring what citizenship means.  As a Michigan delegation, we will also travel to Gettysburg, PA to visit the National Civil War Museum and the Gettysburg battle fields, before we finish traveling to the National 4-H Center.

The total cost of the trip is $ 1,250.00 per delegate. The first deposit of $200.00 per delegate is due by November 15, 2014. This first deposit is non-refundable. The second payment of $525.00 per delegate is due January 15, 2015, and the third payment of $525.00 per delegate is due by March 15, 2015. Scholarships to attend CWF may be available through the Macomb County 4-H Youth Council. Members may also organize fundraisers specifically to support this trip.

Reserve your spot by contacting the Extension Office! For more information about CWF, visit http://www.4hcenter.org/youth-conference-center-overview/educational-programs/citizenship-washington-focus/.

Apply now for summer jobs at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center

Do you know a college student who has a passion for government, history, political science, education, public speaking, or leadership? We are looking for individuals with a passion for working with young people. If this brings someone to mind please encourage them to apply for the position of Program Assistant (PA) at National 4-H Youth Conference Center! 

Application deadlines are quickly approaching and 4-H alumni and collegiate 4-H'ers have an opportunity to apply for this amazing opportunity for their spring or summer semester. Program Assistants will be making a difference in the lives of thousands of middle and high school-aged students from all over the United States while working for our Wonders of Washington (WOW), Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) and Leadership Washington Focus (LWF) programs in Washington, D.C.

WOW Program Assistants will:

- Facilitate interactive curriculum through tours and workshops in Washington, D.C.
- Teach youth from across the country about government, history, and leadership
- Develop and refine teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in a fast paced and fun environment
- Learn more about the non-profit sector and youth services through professional development exercises and opportunities
- Become licensed D.C. tour guide
- The WOW program begins in late-February and ends in mid-June

CWF Program Assistants will:

- Develop and facilitate a unique program experience for over 1,500 high school aged 4-H'ers from across the country in Washington, D.C.
- Lead CWF delegates in experience based citizenship curriculum through tours and workshops
- Develop and refine teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in a fast paced and fun environment
- Become licensed D.C. tour guide
- The CWF PA experience begins in mid-May and ends in late July 

LWF Program Assistants will:

- Develop and facilitate a unique program experience for middle school aged 4-H'ers from across the country in Washington, D.C.
- Lead LWF delegates through experience based leadership curriculum
- Develop and refine teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in a fast paced and fun environment
- Become licensed D.C. tour guide
- The LWF PA experience begins in early June and ends in late July 

Please reference the job descriptions for more information and application materials. If you have any questions, please contact Zach Hall, Educational Programs Specialist at Zhall@4HCenter.org. 

The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will make a stop on campus on Friday, Nov. 14 on its way to Washington, D.C. It will be on display for visitors and hosted by the MSU Department of Forestry and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). Please join us between 4 and 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14 to view the US Capitol Christmas tree in front of the MSU Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to viewing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, visitors can take advantage of numerous other activities centered on forests, natural Christmas trees, the outdoors and the holiday season.

MSU forestry students will lead visitors through planting tree seedlings to take home with as a memento of your visit.

The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with Choose Outdoors and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, will take this gift from Minnesota to Washington, D.C., for the 2014 season, involving nearly 30 communities along the way.

The tree was cut during a public ceremony Oct. 29 from the Chippewa National Forest in Cass Lake, Minnesota, and will be moved to Bemidji State University, where it will be prepared for the nearly 2,000-mile cross-country expedition. The tree is an 88-foot white spruce.

For news, updates, and tour information and to track the tree cross-country, visit www.capitolchristmastree.com.

Rabbit needs a good home

A Romeo area resident has a rabbit she can no longer care for, and is looking for a good home. The rabbit is a 2 1/2 year-old, non-spayed female, black/silver Martin, litter-trained, lovable pet. She has a large dog crate with a playpen, litter box, water and food dish. Please call Ellen at (586) 337-6730 to inquire.

4-H Day at MSU's Breslin Center

You're ALL invited to attend the tenth annual celebration of MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development at the Spartan Women's basketball game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2015. Lady Spartans will be playing the Iowa Lady Hawkeyes. Participants are asked to wear green and white 4-H and/or Extension apparel if possible. We really want to make our presence in the Breslin Center known! See the event flyer for more information.

Tickets are FREE for MSUE 4-H youth and their families, 4-H volunteers and MSU Extension staff and their families! Contact Dequindre Bell at 586-469-5979 or belldequ@anr.msu.edu to request tickets. Tickets ordered by December 26th will be mailed to the county Extension office. Tickets ordered after January 2, 2015 need to be picked up at the 4-H registration table inside Gate D at the Breslin Center OR at the CYFC/4-H Office on Campus.

Gate D will open at 12:30 p.m. and is the gate you need to enter if you are picking up tickets from the 4-H Registration Table. DO NOT go to the Breslin Center "will call" entrance.

Parking Information:  School buses are FREE; all other buses are $20 each. Cars are $5. 

Overnight stays:  For those who want to make a weekend of it, the following hotels are located on or near campus & convenient. The web sites are listed below for your convenience, but you must call the hotel directly.

� Kellogg Center: The Kellogg Center is located on the campus of MSU and is within walking distance from the Breslin Center. This very convenient location is an excellent way to experience the elegance of the Kellogg Center, the beauty of MSU's campus and the excitement of joining other 4-H'ers as we cheer on the Spartan Women's Basketball team. Overnight parking is free. For reservations call (800) 875.5090 or (517) 432-4000. Or, visit www.kelloggcenter.com

�  University Quality Inn: The Quality Inn is located one mile from MSU and offers a complimentary hot breakfast and two beverage tickets per room.  For reservations call 517-351-1440. Or visit their web site at http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-lansing-michigan-MI030

�  Breslin Center Rules, Regulations and Concession Costs: 
No noise makers or items that obstruct the view of others (i.e. foam hands, foam fingers, foam noodles, pennants, flags, banners or beach balls). Signs are restricted to no larger than a � sheet of poster board.

The Breslin Center does not allow food or beverages to be brought into the facility. The list below shows the cost of some of the food items available, to give you an idea on how to plan.

�  Popcorn $4; $5 Tub

�  Soda $4 (22 oz.); $5 (32 oz./souvenir cup); $7.00 (souvenir mug)

�  Pizza $5 (slice)

�  Pretzel $4

�  Hot dog $4

�  Carmel Corn $4

�  Ice Cream $4.50

�  Bottled beverages $5 (20 oz.)

We hope to see you at the Breslin Center on Sunday, January 18, 2015!