Michigan 4-H would invite youth and families from across Michigan to participate in an awesome opportunity to hear from 2020 American Ninja Warrior Champion Daniel Gil. He will speaking to on Wednesday, March 24^th at 6:30 pm.  He will talk about overcoming obstacles. This is open to any youth or families in Michigan. The youth that participate in the 4-H Ninja Training Club (see next event in this newsletter) will have the opportunity to ask questions to Daniel during his presentation.  Register at https://bit.ly/ninjagil

Video showcasing his win last year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4IjimMgXVo&t=76s

This club begins on Monday, February 22^nd and end Friday, February 26^th, registration closes on February 18^th. This club will meet virtually every day from 3:30pm-4:45 pm EST. You are never too old to be creative, be ingenious, be an engineer and be Creative with LEGO! This 4-H SPIN Club is FREE and OPEN to 4-H and non-4-H members ages 13 to 19.  For more information and to register, please visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/4HLegoCreator/

This 4-H SPIN Club will meet virtually via Zoom (both computer and smartphone accessible). Zoom link information will only be sent to event registrants that complete their 4-H Online enrollment by February 18th. 

Join States’ 4-H, Michigan 4-H, Kentucky 4-H, and Western Michigan University for a series of virtual events to celebrate Japanese Girls' Day!

Hinamatsuri, or Japanese Girls’ Day - also known at the Doll’s Festival - is celebrated on March 3rd to hope for the health and happiness of young girls in Japan. The series will consist of four sessions, each held at 6 PM EST:

Please register online by February 17th at 11:59pm ET: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1MkaOpZgQNytbUO

MSU Extension volunteers: With more virtual programs and meetings taking place, have you considered how you are keeping youth and adult participants safe and creating a positive learning environment? Attend Success and Safety in Volunteer-Led Virtual Programs and learn about best practices and strategies to use when programming virtually with youth and adults. This hour-long session will cover important points to remember and resources to help you in your role. Register for February 24^th 7:00pm  EST at https://bit.ly/3pVw20t

The 4-H Capitol Experience Youth Summit is now open for registrations. Youth in 8^th grade through age 19 are invited to join with their peers to discuss topics important to them and learn how youth voices can make an impact on policy, both now and in the future. This 8-hour program spread across three days in March places an emphasis on meeting and discussing ideas with youth and elected officials from across Michigan. The $20 registration fee includes a mailed conference kit. Registration is open now until February 21. More information is available online at:

IT’S HERO TIME! Join us as we discuss, create, and play games about heroes! We will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning February 23 through March 11, on Zoom. This free club is open to youth ages 9 and up. Register here: https://bit.ly/4-HHero. Youth must also be enrolled in this club through 4-H Online (Club is listed under Bay County – SPIN Club: Hero Time!). 

If you have trouble registering, or general questions about this club, please email Lance Fowler: fowler37@msu.edu. 

On March 8, 10, and 11, the race to land humans on Mars is on! The 4-H STEM Challenge will explore sending a mission to Mars with the activity, Mars Base Camp. Each participant will receive a family-sized kit that includes materials for 1-4 youth to participate in the offline activities and then share discoveries with youth from across Michigan.

Ages: 8-14 (Suggested)

Cost: $20 (Includes 4-H Mars Base Camp Family Kit)

Location: This is an interactive event with Michigan 4-H Staff that will take place virtually with activities done simultaneously at home. A Zoom link will be sent once registration is complete along with the Kit.

For more information, and to register: https://events.anr.msu.edu/NYSDMBC/

Do you want to learn more about fitness and running? Join the 6-week Clover Chasers 4-H Running Club! Youth ages 8-13 are invited to learn about nutrition, proper running form and hydration on Thursdays from 4:00 - 5:00p.m., March 11 through April 15. Participants will receive some 4-H swag in the mail and are encouraged to walk/run/roll a 5K to celebrate completion of the program. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/36KnuTc

4-H members showcase their knowledge, research, and writing skills in the 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest. One winner will represent Michigan in a National 4-H Competition, and a chance to win $750 and be published in ABF Quarterly. Contest rules available at https://www.canr.msu.edu/entomology/beekeeping. Members are invited to an Essay Help Session on Feb. 23 at 7PM EST to learn more about the contest theme and rules. Register at: http://bit.ly/3cfQkhE. Essay entry deadline: April 1, 2021. Contact quistla1@msu.edu.

Begins on Monday, March 15^th and end Friday, March 19^th, registration closes on March 11^th. This club will meet virtually every day from 4-5:15 pm EST. Over the course of the week, youth will get a chance to be creative, be ingenious, be an engineer and become a Master Builder with LEGO! This 4-H SPIN Club is FREE and OPEN to 4-H and non-4-H members ages 5 to 12.  For more information and to register, please visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/4HLegoSPINMarch/. If this time does not work for you, please let me know and I will put you on my waitlist for my next session.

This 4-H SPIN Club will meet virtually via Zoom (both computer and smartphone accessible). Zoom link information will only be sent to event registrants that complete their 4-H Online enrollment by March 11th. (Club is listed under Livingston County – SPIN Club LEGO Master Builder 2).

Registration will be on 4-H Online https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in Chose “Alcona” as your county of participation to find this club! (NOTE: If you are already approved in 4HOnline, you will need to contact the Extension office to have the club added to your registration)

The MSU Community Language School is partnering again with MSU Extension to host the Virtual Culture Experience on Saturday, March 13th from 1-4:30pm. The Virtual Culture Experience is geared for kids ages 8-19 years old and free! The cultural experience will showcase language and culture sessions in two languages: German

and Swahili. Each 90-minute session will have three 30 minute interactive activities: cooking, craft, and movement! Register by Monday, March 1st, 2021 to reserve your spot!

Swahili: https://forms.gle/aUs3MyNtA1Uo44EBA

German: https://forms.gle/tKhaEc5m5G43XcVB7

cls@celta.msu.edu / cls.celta.msu.edu

Ever wanted to create a Graphic Novel, but didn’t know where to start? Now is your chance to learn the skills and create your very own Graphic Novel. Starting on March 5, we will meet every Friday until April 9, to give you the skills, knowledge, and practice of becoming a Graphic Novel Designer and Author. This Virtual 4-H SPIN Club if free to join and open to youth ages 10 and up. For more information and to register, please go to https://bit.ly/4HNovels. Youth must also be enrolled in this club through 4-H Online (Club is listed under Bay County – SPIN Club: Graphic Novels 101). 

If you have trouble registering, or general questions about this club, please email Lance Fowler: fowler37@msu.edu. 

Designed for age 5 to 12, but open to ALL! Registration is now open! Register for Free here: https://events.anr.msu.edu/Pippins_Pantry2/

For questions about the Club or if you’re having trouble registering, contact Ali Olson, olsonal8@msu.edu.

Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! This month during the 4-H Wild Spartans Series, we will take a dive into the springtime ephemeral pools in the woods to discover the treasures within! Join us on Tuesday, March 9th, 2021 at 7pm EST for “Searching for Vernal Pools, Nature’s Disappearing Act”. We will talk to a herpetologist about researching and conserving amphibians and reptiles. You will meet Yu Man Lee, Conservation Scientist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, learn about her field work, and the education and career path she followed to get there. Youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A with scientists. This free series is open to 4-H and non-4-H youth ages 12-19 years. Monthly sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm EST through May. Pre-registration is required: https://www.canr.msu.edu/environmental_outdoor_education/wild-spartans-series

Beginning Wednesday, March 3 and every Wednesday thru April 7 from 5 to 6pm join us via Zoom as we travel around the world discovering crafts. Participants 5-19 and adults are invited to register (younger youth may need help from parents/adults). Registration link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/CraftsAroundtheWorld/

Participants will be emailed the Zoom link and Materials needed for each session the week before and the Monday before. Registration includes all 6 sessions. There is no cost for this as you will need to purchase your own materials. If you have schedule conflicts with a session contact Dian Liepe at liepe@msu.edu for additional information.