June Updates From Your Friendly Fairboard

As we head in to Fair season, last minute changes and adjustments MUST be made to ensure that we run a safe and successful Fair. A few things all 4-H families should know:

1. Thanks to Bob Thomas, the AQHA Versatility that runs Tuesday & Wednesday of the County Fair will be awarding a saddle to the youth division Grand Champion.
2. All 4-H Entry Forms are up online with the Premium Book and can be found at http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/douglas/4h_files/dcfair.htm
3. Due to the 90th Birthday Celebration of the Douglas County Fair, happening on Sunday morning at 10am at the Midway Stage, release of ALL 4-H projects will not happen until 4pm. This includes Kirk Hall and the livestock barns. Open projects will also be releasing later, starting at 3pm.
4. The livestock sale committee is mixing things up a bit this year by closing off the Pavilion prior to the sale. All buyers along with the youth sellers may enter, eat lunch and socialize about the animals that will be sold. Make sure that YOU make time to go in and talk about your livestock if you make sale!
5. Starting Wednesday morning 8/6, the County Fair security will not allow ANY vehicles on the grounds. This includes vehicles that want to park by their campers. You will need to park in the designated lots and walk in. Fairboard members with gators along with wheelbarrows will be available for you to use in transporting feed to your animals. They will also allow clubs to store feed in the stalls in the Beef Barn to assist in making things run smoothly. Rabbit & Poultry members that check in animals on Wednesday morning will get more details on their check in times and procedures at ID day as this will be more contained and regulated than usual.

If you have any questions about the Fair or your entries, feel free to call the office. Good luck with all your projects!

4-H volunteers website looking for educational activities

The national 4-H volunteers website is looking for information on all your fabulous 4-H activities. The website is http://www.4hvolunteersusa.org/. Here's their blurb:

Dynamite Activities with 4-H’ers Wanted
Have you tried an educational activity that went so well with your 4-H’ers that you’re willing to share? This could be at a club or project meeting or special event. If you would write this up to share with other volunteers across the country, please submit to this web site and we’ll post it. Be sure to tell what materials you need, how many youth, preparation time in advance, how long the activity will take and how to do it.

For starters, see the activities offered on the Nebraska 4-H State web site. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Volunteer opportunity: help an Iraq war veteran

Passing on a volunteer opportunity:

A Parker church is coordinating a volunteer effort for a wounded Iraq war veteran Staff Sgt. Matthew Keil, his wife and daughter. They need help building a wheelchair accessible home.

Pulte Homes is providing the home design and a project manager. Volunteers are needed June 27 to 29, anytime between 7:30 a.m. until dark. You can meet at 7:15 a.m. at Hilltop United Church of Christ, 10926 E. Democrat Road, in Parker to carpool to the job site, or call 303-841-2808 or e-mail hilltopoffice@qwestoffice.net for details.

The Final Farewell

“What we see is what we get.”
Was the thought of a young 4-H, when we first met.

But as time has passed, and the program grew.
There was something about this agent of new.

She changed the thinking and ways of the past.
Brought new attention to 4-H, and fast.

But now she parts, as this year’s her last.
We wish her the best, as she returns to class.

I thank her for all the work she’s done.
If it wasn’t for her 4-H was dumb.

Then as a 4-Her, and now she’s my boss.
Life couldn’t be better, not a memory lost.

Here and now I bid her adieu.To the greatest success, and we’ll all miss you.

Composed by Noah VanBibber, 4-H Intern, as a good-bye to Alexa Lamm, 4-H Agent

Horse camp photo collage

From what I hear, horse camp went well this year - even with all the rain the last day! Here's a little photo collage for your enjoyment:

Ode to Horse Camp

The event of the season has kicked off the fair. With 50 4-Hers, so all you beware.
Horse camp has come, and went in a flash. But if you attended you all had a blast.

The vigorous training started with advancements on trail. Then there was English, Western, and working ranch horse to tail.

Each day was filled with activities and fun. Headed by Barbie, who helped out a ton.
And who can forget the tasty treats. Thanks to Jenny Phippen, our mom for the week.

Remember the groups you all were placed in. You all did so well as a team of new friends.

And the day always ended with tremendous sizes. Giving out awards and day end prizes.

So if this sounds great and you would like to come. Keep a lookout for next year and join in the fun.

Composed by Noah VanBibber, 4-H Intern

Thank you 4-H community!

Doesn't it seem like a simple "thank you" is rare these days? How often do we acknowledge the bagger at the grocery store, the person who delivers our newspapers, and those who clean our offices after we leave for the day? And let's not forget the people in charge of cleaning public restrooms - talk about a tough and unappreciated job! I could be more appreciative myself.

With this in mind, I want to thank the Douglas County 4-H community for your patience while I learn the ropes, your quick responses when I have asked for volunteers, and for providing photos and information when I've needed it.

It's a pleasure to work with you.

Melody

Fair entry forms up on website

All fair entry forms - except Primary Fair - are now up on the website under 4-H Forms. Kathe also included page numbers on each form showing where you can find class information in the Fair Book.

Speaking of the Fair Book - we have been spreading the word that it is available on the website in it's entirety for the first time ever. Now you have the option of printing only the sections that pertain to you , or the whole darn thing if you want. It's under the DC Fair button.

Now on to that elusive Animal Care and Housing Form - in years past, this form was required for horse and livestock and thus has been available online under the livestock button. Well, this year those carrying dog projects must also complete this form - but we hid it so well, dog people haven't been able to find it! It is now available under the 4-H forms button too.

Anyone carrying dog projects that still needs to fill this out, please contact the summer secretary Dylan Wilson at the normal 4-H number 720-733-6940. She needs those ASAP!

Hey - thanks!
Melody

Too Much Fun

Daryle Singletary's philosophy in the Country Western Song "Too Much Fun" is that you just can't have "too much fun." But let me tell you, there was a herd of five to seven year olds at Kirk Hall on Wednesday, June 4, that came real close.

Even the adults at Cloverbud Wild West Camp seemed to have entirely too much fun hoopin' and hollerin', ropin', dancin', playin' games, and just generally goin' wild! There were a variety of hands-on activities for the 17 Cloverbud-aged cowpokes who participated. It was even fun learning a little about our western heritage by roping steer heads, learning how to read an animal brand, making pipe cleaner branding irons, and tying licorice knots. The little buckeroos tried their hands at herding some balloon cows and then rustled themselves up some trail mix grub for the ride back to the ranch. But before riding off into the sunset, each cowpoke took down a wanted poster advertising the fact that he/she was, indeed, "wanted for having too much fun."

Happy trails to all those Cloverbuds who participated and don't forget that we will be trying to break the record for having "too much fun" at Cloverbud Primary Fair on August 2.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to look at the pictures from Wild West Camp to the right of this entry.

Mary Baldwin

Events for kids in Douglas County

There are a few kid-oriented events going on in our county. Take a look.

Safety and Wellness Expo for Kids - June 7 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Lone Tree Rec Center. Sky Ridge Medical Center invites children ages 3 to 13 and their parents to this Expo. Pediatricians and specialists will be on hand to offer parents valuable information on • Head injuries • Childhood Obesity & Healthy Eating • Allergies & Asthma • Drinking and Driving • Smoking Prevention • Stranger Safety. Kids will have the opportunity to •Get their helmet checked at our bike rodeo •Hop on a fire truck •Simulate 911 calls •Learn how to handle home emergencies •Take a tour of an AirLife Chopper •Have their photo taken with Dora the Explorer. For more info, go to http://www.parkeronline.org/event_info.aspx?id=1849&calendarMode=calendar.

Culture on the Green Kids' Concert - Friday June 13 at Highlands Ranch at Civic Green Park from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Free admission. Kids’ Koncert with Michael Friedman and Swingset Jazz. For more info, go to http://www.hrcaonline.org/ and click on Events, then calendar.

Melody

Shooting sports resources

For those enrolled in shooting sports or considering getting involved, there are several resources you can check out for different kinds of information.

The Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports website is located at http://www.co4hshooting.org/ This is the site with all the latest trainings, e-records and other useful info. Sections include Shooting Sports News, National 4-H Shooting Sports Promotional Items, Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports Policy/Procedures & State Forms, and 2008 Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports e-Records & Project Display Requirements. The right column includes several other resource listings.

New this year, the Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports Blog is located at http://co4hshooting.blogspot.com/ . Just like our blog, it's written in a less formal way and contains a variety of information. The latest posting is 2008 State Games of the West.

At the suggestion of a 4-H parent, here is another resource: the Ben Lomond Gun Club at http://www.blgc.org/. The club owns and operates a 560 acre shooting facility in Elbert County. The facility is located 45 miles from Castle Rock, 47 miles from Parker, and 43 miles from Colorado Springs. Membership is through club chapters. Currently, there are chapters in Colorado Springs, Elizabeth, Calhan, Franktown, Littleton, and Monument/Palmer Lake (Tri-Lakes). Check out the website.

Melody

Nature deficit disorder: a serious issue for today's children

A recent study of today's children revealed that the average time spent in front of a television or computer screen is six hours a day. Kids spend less than four minutes a day engaged in unstructured outdoor play. Researchers call this condition "nature deficit disorder".

This emphasis of indoor time spent in front of screens versus outdoor play and discovery has been correlated with negative psychological and physical effects including obesity, loneliness, depression, attention problems and greater social isolation due to reduced time with friends and family. The term “nature-deficit disorder” was coined by author Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods”.

The value of 4-H is stronger than ever in light of this growing issue. The program provides many opportunities for young people to spend time outdoors engaged in meaningful activities and connecting to the natural environment. This type of connection has a positive lifelong impact.

For more information, check out the book mentioned above.

Melody