Bee Essay Contest

This year’s statewide Bee Essay Contest topic will be “The Dance Language of Bees.” Those interested in entering the contest need to have their essays submitted by February 13th, 2009. There will be cash awards for the winners.

For details: Click Here

Area Food Show!

The time has come again for the 4-H members of Surry, Yadkin, Wilkes, and Alleghany counties to dazzle us with your culinary skills! The area food show will be held on February 28 at East Wilkes Middle School. The school is about 30 minutes from Dobson and easy to find! Come a present your dish in a unique way for a chance to win a prize! Setup will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 9:45 a.m. Judging will begin at 9:45 a.m. and should end by 12:00 p.m. While judges taste these tasty treats participants can enjoy learning different ways to make eating healthy and exercising fun.

**Those interested must fill out and turn in an entry form by Friday, February 20th. Forms available by request.**

Operation: Military Kids Visual Arts Contest

North Carolina 4-H’s Operation: Military Kids program is proud and excited to announce the first OMK Photography and Arts Contest. The contest is opened to youth. The age categories are

5-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old, 13-15 years old, and 16-18 years old. The contest is designed to introduce youth to Visual Arts as a part of the 4-H Expressive Arts Curriculum. Youth will utilize their skills and their artistry to capture their view of America and patriotism.

Selected visual arts will be displayed during the week of the 2009 North Carolina 4-H Congress, other events and appropriate venues.

Submission Deadline 30 April 2009.

For more details Click Here

N.C. Operation Military Kids: Hero Packs

Hero Packs are Operation Military Kids knapsacks filled with a variety of items from the OMK Partner Agencies, which are given to military youth as a "Thank You" for the sacrifices that they make while their parents are deployed.
Nationally, OMK has presented Hero Packs to over 47,000 Military Youth since 2004.

There are two versions of Hero Packs: Young Hero Packs for youth ages 3 - 8 years and Hero Packs for 9 - 18 years of age. Both Hero Packs contain a variety of items intended to provide children with fun activities and ways to stay connected to their deployed parents. To learn more about this great cause visit: http://www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/heropacks.aspx.

Surry County 4-H is collecting items for hero packs if you would like to donate some items to be sent, those items can be dropped off at the Extension office in Dobson no later than December 1. If you would like to help assemble the kits contact the 4-H office for more details at 401-8025.

Pilot Mountain Christmas Parade!

Come one, come all! Everyone is invited to ride on the Surry County 4-H float in the Pilot Mountain Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6. We will have plenty of room aboard a flat bed tractor trailer provided by Ricky White of Pilot Mountain. All those interested in riding on float must call the 4-H office to register. All participants will need to arrive at East Surry High School’s parking lot between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. and participants are encouraged to bring a bag of candy. All youth under the age of 14 must have a parent or guardian accompany them on the float and all participants must have completed and signed a waiver.
For more information contact the 4-H office at 401-8025.

Camp for Christmas!

It getting close to that time of the year again and even though it might be getting cooler outside we are thinking warm thoughts about 4-H Summer Camp 2009! During this gift giving season consider giving your child or children a chance to develop new friends, travel, to learn new and exciting things at 4-H Camp. Next year Surry County 4-H is going to Swannanoa 4-H Camp, located about 15 minutes outside of Asheville, N.C. Mark your calendars today – camp will be the week of June 21 - 26. To learn more about Swannanoa check out their website at http://www.swan4h.com/.
Camp is open for youth between the ages of 8 &12. Reserve your spot today with a $100 deposit and a completed 4-H enrollment form. Camp costs = $295.00 this includes lodging, meals, all activities, camp store card, and camp t-shirt. Partial scholarships are available, contact the 4-H office for an application. All scholarship applications are due to the 4-H office by January 28, 2009.

Deadline for registering and $100 deposit must be received by March 2.
For more information contact the 4-H office at 401-8025.

Celebrating Agriculture!

Where: Fisher River Park
When: Saturday, September 13
Time: 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE for all ages!

It’s that time again, as we prepare for fall the NC Cooperative Extension office will be hosting its 3rd Annual Celebration of Agriculture. There will be activities, a contest, great food, music, agriculture maze, and much more! Don’t miss out on the 4-H Kids Area where you can milk Ms. Daisy, discover trash wonders, get dirty with Dirt Diggers, paint with vegetables, ride on the tractor train and much more!

National 4-H Week!

October 5-11, 2008

Come out and support your local 4-H clubs and celebrate North Carolina 4-H turning 100 years old at the 42nd Annual Autumn Leaves Festival – October 10 – 12 in the downtown area of Mount Airy! Surry County 4-H will be selling 4-H balloons and kids will have the opportunity to have their face painted. All proceeds will go to support local
4-H clubs.
For more information, call 401-8025.

Fall 4-H Club Social

Your 2008-2009 County Council officers are planning a fall 4-H social for all 4-H club members, families, volunteers, and friends. If you know someone interested in joining 4-H invite them to join us on Saturday, October 25 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Fisher River Park. This FREE evening social promises to have great food, games, and activities all planned for your Halloween enjoyment.

Don’t forget each club is invited to participate in a little friendly competition in order to try to win some Clover Dollars for your club. Each club must have at least one adult and four children present to participate.

Everyone must register with the 4-H office by October 17. Look for your invitation and more details later this month!

Fall Fun with 4-H!

This workshop series is open to all, ages 5 to 13. Classes will be held on different days of each month at the Extension Center in Dobson. Each workshop will cost $4.00. Classes will be held on dates stated unless there is lack of participation in which case reimbursements will be issued for those registered.

Please note all registrations are due one week prior to each class by 4:00 p.m.

All participants must drop off or send payment along with registration form to the below address:
NC Cooperative Extension
Surry Center
P.O. Box 324
Dobson, NC 27017

Loop and Scoop!

Wednesday, October 22 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Discover the wonder of these flying mammals in this hands-on workshop. From fruity snacks to blind fold madness we will uncover the truth of these mysterious creatures called bats.

Must register by October 15.

Outdoor Adventures

Tuesday, November 4 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fall is a great time to get outdoors and explore the ever changing flora and fauna in the area. Join in as we learn how to plan and participate in an outdoor adventure at Pilot Mountain State Park. The afternoon will be spent hiking while we learn more about native animals and plants that live in Surry County. Please wear appropriate walking shoes.

Participants need to be dropped off at the summit area of Pilot Mountain State Park.

Must register by October 28.

Gifts by Nature

Friday, December 19 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Get crafty as we make some great decorations and holiday presents out of natural materials. Discover the many possibilities of how to use pine needles, twigs, leaves and more while we make gifts out of these forgotten objects.

Must register by December 12.

Summer Explosion Registration Begins

Mark you calendars...we will begin taking summer registration at the Extension in Dobson for all workshops and camps on JUNE 4th beginning at 8:15 a.m.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration will continue until all classes are full.

For more information, check out the county website at http://surry.ces.ncsu.edu/ and click on "Youth and 4-H."

Alleghany's Happy Trails 4-H Horse Camp

The Alleghany 4-H Horse Camp will be held June 2- June 6, 2008 at the Alleghany County Fairgrounds located in Sparta. The nonrefundable camp fee is $100.00 per camper. Half of this fee is due by May 1st to reserve slot. Camper spaces are limited and will be filled based on the following application.

If accepted, campers must bring a horse that is free of disease and in good health. Horses are required to have a current negative Coggins test. No exceptions will be made! Horses exhibiting lameness or behavior problems will be sent home. Camper will be allowed to exchange horses or continue to stay without a horse.

There are openings for Junior Leaders that are registered 4-H’ers. They must be 16-19 years old. Junior Leaders will be assisting the group with camp activities, duties, fixing meals and helping with Cloverbuds. Junior leaders will not be charged. For more information contact the Extension Office at 372-5597 or Donna Hash at 359-8457.

4-H Investigates

June 17 – 19 Grades: 6th – 8th
Cost: $30

Solving crimes and developing careers in the new millennium are all highlights of this camp. Join in as we learn about forensic science and play the role of a CSI detective. Each participant will gather clues and interrogate suspects to try and solve a murder mystery. These three days are filled with hands-on activities and breakout sessions that will help pull together a variety of laboratory standards. Participants will have the opportunity to tour a funeral home, diagnostic laboratory, and take a tour of the Surry County jail and court house. Register by May 30th, spaces are limited so call today!

To register or for more information, contact the 4-H office at 401-8025.

Equine Calendar of Events

May 3: District 4-H Horse Show - Rockingham County

June 3: 4-H Horse Judging Clinic - Stokes County

June 20: Horsemanship Clinic - 9-13 year olds

June 21: Hormanship Clinic - 14 - 19 year olds

June 26: Equine First Aid - Forsyth County

August 19: Careers in the Horse Industry -Stokes County

For more information call 401-8025.

26th Annual Fur, Fish, 'n Game Rendezvous

June 22 – 27
Cost - $300.00 *Scholarships Available*
Entering it's 26th year, the Rendezvous is an opportunity for youth to earn their hunter safety certification. Great field experiences with wildlife biologists await those that have already earned their hunter safety certification through the Beginning Camp.
The Rendezvous is a week-long camp for boys and girls ages 12-15, held at Millstone 4-H center, in the beautiful sandhills gamelands. Beginning Campers learn firearm safety and shooting skills from hunter education officers. Other activities include: falconry, bird dogs, trapping, wildlife identification, taxidermy, first aid, canoeing, fishing, a low-ropes course, swimming, and much more!
For more information or to register, contact the 4-H office at 401-8025.

Deadline to register is May 30.

County Activity Day!

All 4-H’ers who would like give a presentation for county judging may call the 4-H office to sign-up. All presentations will be judged and those selected will advance to District Activity Day. Please be prepared to give your name, age, club, and presentation title or category, bring all materials, and be dressed appropriately. The review will be open to youth ages 5-19. Reminder: that only those members who are ages 9 and older (as of January 1) are eligible to advance to district competition. If you need help selecting a topic or have questions, please let us know. Register by Wednesday, April 30 at 401-8025.

4-H Mini Gardens - Going Up!

This year 4-H Mini Gardens are going up! “Vertical Gardening” is the theme for this years garden participants!! It is time to be thinking about beautiful vegetables and flowers all grown with your care. Any one between the ages 5 & 19 is eligible to participate. All participants must attend the mini garden training on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. We will first meet at the Extension office in Dobson for contest overview and then travel to a local garden site for some hands-on demonstration. Participants will receive all garden materials at the end of the training. Look for new techniques, materials, and a new judging score sheet. Register by Friday, May 2. This year’s contest fee will be $8.00 for each participant.

Fee covers: garden and workshop materials, awards, and entry to Summer Awards Night.

For more information, call 401-8025.

4-H Talent Show Deadline

Deadline to register for the 4-H Talent Show is Thursday, May 10.

Call the county 4-H office for more information!

401-8025

Presenting with Pizzazz!!

Do you have a favorite hobby that you enjoy, special talent, or a general interest in a certain topic? Well you have come to the right place where everyone wants to hear your story! Join in as we share each of our talents, stories, and more in this workshop. Participants are welcome to bring a favorite object or picture to share.

This class will introduce methods and tips of how to make public speaking fun and enjoyable! Participants will enjoy a day filled hands-on activities, team building, and creative expression.

This FREE, workshop will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from 8:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Extension center in Dobson. Participants need to bring a bag lunch.

Register at: 401-8025

4-H Talent Show!

Surry County 4-H will be hosting its 1st Annual 4-H Talent Show on April 17 at the Downtown Mt. Airy Cinema. All youth are invited to come and showcase their talent. The show is open to all youth in the county between the ages of 5 & 19. Pre-registration is required. All performances should be no longer than 4 minutes. Each youth can perform only one act in their designated age category. Categories include: dance, song, musical instrument, humorous or dramatic skit. The number of show acts will be limited to 3 per age category under each talent category. Acts will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis. Category winners will advance to “Area Expressive Arts Showcase” that will be held Friday, May 2 in Wilkes County. All participants will be put into a drawing for a $25.00 Wal-mart gift card, the drawing will be held on the night of the event. Everyone is encouraged to Come, See, and Express at this year’s talent show! If you would like to help out behind the scenes contact the 4-H office for details. Deadline to register is April 10.

To register or for more information, contact the 4-H office at 401-8025.