Iowa 4-H Center holding free open house

Iowa 4-H Center holding free open house

Kids and families who are looking for summer camp opportunities should try the Iowa 4-H Center. Free open house events are set for June. The open house events are June 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Camp program specialist Traci Haselhuhn said to RSVP to (515) 795-3338 by the Saturday prior to the open house. The Iowa 4-H Center is located on 1,100 acres along the Des Moines River near Madrid, just off highway E-57.

“Join us for a wagon tour of camp, and try out the climbing tower and zip line. You also can enjoy a hot dog roast and s’mores before a campfire program with the camp staff in our 250-person capacity Pinecone Amphitheater,” said Haselhuhn.
The open houses include time for kids and families to meet the cabin counselors and camp directors and ask questions about day camps, overnight camps and the overall camp experience, Haselhuhn said.

“Young day campers can become familiar with the camp and the staff before they arrive for their first day of camp. This helps alleviate ‘first day’ homesickness,” Haselhuhn said. “Parents get a chance to see where their day campers will be all day long. Since we provide transportation to and from day camp, this may be the only chance for parents to actually visit the camp.”
The Iowa 4-H Center offers age-appropriate activities to help youth master skills in a wide variety of interests, including a climbing wall, high ropes, zip lines, a team challenge course, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, creek walks, outdoor cooking and camping skills, GPS, nature exploration, fishing, archery, air rifles, arts and crafts, drama and sports. Campers can choose to focus their time on one topic or try a little bit of everything the camp offers.

The 2009 camp brochure and registration information are available on the Web at www.iowa4hcamp.com. “You can register online or you can download and print a paper registration form to register via U.S. mail or fax,” Haselhuhn said.
The Iowa 4-H Center is a retreat center owned by the Iowa 4-H Foundation and operated in conjunction with the Iowa 4-H Program, Iowa State University and ISU Extension.

The Iowa 4-H Center is fully accredited by the American Camping Association.

The Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute

The Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute (IAYI) is quickly approaching. The four day leadership conference is held on the ISU campus for sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school who are interested in agricultural. This conference is packed full of opportunities for youth to explore the depths of agriculture, network with industry professionals, and develop leadership skills. The conference will be June 8-11, 2009 and only costs $50 due to the sponsorship of agricultural businesses and leaders!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 1ST.

An application that includes additional information on the conference can be found by clicking here. If you know any youth that would be interested in taking advantage of this opportunity please share this information with them. If you have any question please contact me.

Thank you,

Amber Hill
Ag Program Coordinator
Iowa Agricultural Development Authority
515-281-6444
amber.hill@iowa.gov

Catch The Spirit Volunteers Needed May 6th

Catch The Spirit Volunteers Needed May 6th:

The Heart Connection needs your help on May 6th! Catch The Spirit is an annual 5K event held in memory of camper Megan Koepke in Waverly, Iowa. We are looking for 30 volunteers to help make this special event happen. Volunteers are needed at 4 pm, and we will provide dinner after the event! To get involved with this event, please contact Brecka@childrenscancerprograms.com.

Cookin' Clovers

Do you enjoy cooking or baking? The Cookin' Clovers might be for you! We are a regular 4H group that leans towards cooking, baking, shopping, healthy foods etc. Our group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month on the south side of Ankeny. We are looking forward to some great food and fun times. This next year we will have a special focus on community service projects and senior citizen outreach. Our goals are to enhance confidence and promote leadership skills; while having a great time and spreading the word about 4H along the way! If you would like to join our group please contact:
Kelle Sickerson
515-208-6343
CookinClovers@gmail.com

Operation Military Kids Camps

Operation: Military Kids Summer Camps

Operation: Military Kids and the Dept. of Defense's Joint Family Support Assistance Program (JFSAP) are pleased to announce multiple camp opportunities for military kids this summer.
Five residential camps exclusively designed for military kids are scheduled throughout the summer at the Iowa 4-H Center, near Madrid, Iowa. Eligible campers are the dependent children, dependent stepchildren, or siblings of Iowa's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, or Marines and include Guard, Reserve, or Active-duty. Accepted campers will pay a registration fee of $25.00, the remainder of the camp costs will be covered by the OMK Camp Initiative grant.
Dates and ages are:
June 14-20 Ages 9-11
June 21-27 Ages 12-14
July 12-18 Ages 15-18
July 26-Aug. 1 Ages 12-14
Aug. 2-8 Ages 9-11

The Iowa 4-H Center is an American Camp Association accredited camp. Learn more about the 4-H Center at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4hcenter/aboutus/index.php
OMK Summer Camps are designed as fun retreats full of activities to aid military kids in building resiliency and coping skills in a safe environment. During Challenge activities, including a high ropes course and climbing wall, creek walks, and campfire reflections, campers will have the opportunity to interact with other military kids facing similar stressors, develop and strengthen their communication skills, reflect on their own situations, and look outside themselves to a larger world and their ability to impact that world.
Campers will spend their mornings sampling an activity from each of the camp's five main program areas: outdoor camping, shooting sports, challenge course, waterfront, and camp craft. In the afternoon they will go swimming and participate in programming designed just for Military Kids. Evenings include campfire programs, skit night, and other crazy themed all-camp events.
Information and application forms are available on the Internet at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/omk/CalendarOfEvents.htm Application deadline is May 1, 2009.Questions about the camping opportunities should be directed to Liz Mettille, OMK Camp Coordinator (mettille@iastate.edu ).

Central Iowa Wind Energy Conference on May 14 in Newton

People, both youth and adults, interested in knowing more about wind energy, one of our nation's fastest-growing sources of energy, should attend the Central Iowa Wind Energy Conference on May 14 in Newton. This all-day conference will be of interest to producers, industry owners, school officials and science clubs, residential owners and farmers who have continuous electric needs and want to generate their own power, according to Kapil Arora, ISU Extension field agricultural engineer and conference co-coordinator. The key speakers will address wind energy basics, grants and loans for wind generators and wind energy contracts. For additional information, call your local county extension office or visit on-line at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2009/apr/161501.htm Conference brochure including registration information is also available on-line at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/jasper/news/wind.htm

IFAA Winner’s Circle Scholarships Information Available

IFAA Winner’s Circle Scholarships Information Available

The Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement is again asking your help in getting information out to eligible high school students in Iowa about IFAA’s twenty-five (25) scholarships totaling $39,000. These scholarships are available to incoming freshman in the Fall of 2009 at any four- or two-year post-secondary institution in Iowa. The application deadline is June 1, 2009.

You will find the following information at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/Documents/Public09IFAAInfo.pdf:
1. Scholarship Information Letter
2. List of 2009 Winner’s Circle Scholarships available to Incoming Freshman
3. 2009 Winner’s Circle Scholarship Application for all Incoming Freshman Scholarships

We do appreciate your assistance in getting our scholarship information out to all youth involved in 4-H. If you have any questions, please contact me at Linda@slweldon.net or at 515-685-3719.

Stitch This

Stitch This!
Announcing Stitch This!, a 16-hour fashion design competition for Iowa high-school youth inspired by the hit TV show “Project Runway”. The competition will involve teams of youth working together to deconstruct wedding dresses and design them into new wearable garments, which will culminate into a runway-style fashion show during the 2009 Iowa State Fair. Visit www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/statefair/stitchthis.htm for more information, the application, and photos of the dresses. Please note that this event is open to youth not yet enrolled in 4-H. Application deadline is June 1, 2009; winners will be announced July 1. We have sent information to all FCS teachers in the state to encourage all youth to apply. Please distribute to all 4-H youth who may be interested in participating or attending the event. For more information contact Shelly Greving, shellyg@iastate.edu or 515-294-1607.

A message from the president of the Iowa 4-H Foundation

April 15, 2009

Greetings Friends of 4-H,

We're writing today to share concerns facing 4-H in Iowa. Budget cuts are happening everywhere, but one significant cut will affect the 4-H program. The Iowa House passed the Regent's budget yesterday with a cut of $361 million to education. ISU is slated to receive $184.9 million which represents a 12.82% cut. This is significant because ISU's cut is larger than that of the other regents' universities. The budget bill "Senate File 470" is currently at the Senate and will then go to conference committee. We know preliminary plans are to cut approximately $4.5 million from Extension and $500,000 from the 4-H program. You can make a difference. We all know the value of Extension and 4-H to Iowa. Help us by sharing your passion for these programs and explaining specifically how they benefit you, your family, and your community.

These are difficult times for many. However, the proposed cut for ISU and the resulting plan to balance the reduced budget by cutting Extension and 4-H programs is unnecessary and an unfair burden - threatening the future of Iowa's youth. Please help us by: Contact your legislators THIS WEEK by phone or e-mail (it only takes a few moments) (http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/Legislators/LegislatorInfo.aspx) Encourage them to restore the cuts in Senate File 470 to 4-H and ask them to insert language in the budget bill that prevents Extension and 4-H from absorbing such a great share of the cut.

PLEASE NOTE: 4-H is funded through the Board of Regents (those we've talked to have stated that they thought 4-H was funded by education and that "education was fine." This is not the case.) $500,000 would be an investment in our future and this will be paid back many times by the wonderful things our 4-H youth and alumni are doing.

Specifically, if you know people in these counties: Palo Alto, West Pottawattamie, Polk, Johnson, Dubuque or Fayette ask them to personally contact their legislators in the House and Senate Leadership about these cuts.

Write a letter to the editor As 4-H youth, parents and alumni you have powerful stories to share. We have prepared two sample letters here that you may use and include your own personalized message. Tell of the impact 4-H has had on you and your community.

4-H Editorial
http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/news/Call%20to%20Action/4-H%20Editorial.doc

Extension Editorial
http://www.iowa4hfoundation.org/news/Call%20to%20Action/Extension%20editorial.doc

Please forward this email and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Sincerely,

Dennis H. Goering
2008-2009 Iowa 4-H Foundation President
Phone: (515) 294-1537
www.iowa4hfoundation.org

Iowa 4-H Center free open house events are set for April and June

AMES, Iowa -- Kids and families who are looking for summer camp opportunities should try the Iowa 4-H Center. Free open house events are set for April and June.
“Join us for a wagon tour of camp, and try out the climbing tower and zip line. You also can enjoy a hot dog roast and s’mores before a campfire program with the camp staff in our 250-person capacity Pinecone Amphitheater,” said camp program specialist Traci Haselhuhn.
The open house events are April 19 and 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. and June 3 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Haselhuhn said to RSVP to (515) 795-3338 by the Saturday prior to each open house. The Iowa 4-H Center is located on 1,100 acres along the Des Moines River near Madrid, Iowa, just off highway E-57.
The open houses include time for kids and families to meet the cabin counselors and camp directors and ask questions about day camps, overnight camps and the overall camp experience, Haselhuhn said.
“Young day campers can become familiar with the camp and the staff before they arrive for their first day of camp. This helps alleviate ‘first day’ homesickness,” Haselhuhn said. “Parents get a chance to see where their day campers will be all day long. Since we provide transportation to and from day camp, this may be the only chance for parents to actually visit the camp.”
Returning overnight campers and camp alumni can share their love of camp with their families. New campers get to check out the camp and staff and learn their way around, she said.
“Even if you can’t fit camp into your summer schedule, come to an open house to see what the 4-H Center is like,” Haselhuhn said. Those who cannot attend an open house but who would like a tour of the camp facilities or program areas should call the camp office at (515) 795-3338 to schedule a visit.
The Iowa 4-H Center offers age-appropriate activities to help youth master skills in a wide variety of interests, including a climbing wall, high ropes, zip lines, a team challenge course, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, creek walks, outdoor cooking and camping skills, GPS, nature exploration, fishing, archery, air rifles, arts and crafts, drama, and sports. Campers can choose to focus their time on one topic or try a little bit of everything the camp offers.
The 2009 camp brochure and registration information are available on the Web at www.iowa4hcamp.com.
“You can register online or you can download and print a paper registration form to register via U.S. mail or fax,” Haselhuhn said.
The Iowa 4-H Center is a retreat center owned by the Iowa 4-H Foundation and operated in conjunction with the Iowa 4-H Program, Iowa State University and ISU Extension. The Iowa 4-H Center is fully accredited by the American Camping Association.
-30-Contacts :Traci Haselhuhn, Iowa 4-H Center, (515) 795-3338, tracidh@iastate.edu

APRIL 17TH AT ARTDIVE 5-9 PM "BRING IN THE SPRING"

Join us to celebrate Artdive's Aunnal Spring Open House with fabulous local art, food and drinks! APRIL 17TH 5-9 PM, LOCATED AT 1417 WALNUT ST. See the work of newly featured graffiti artist Jordan Weber. His work deals with issues of consumerism and materialism and their effects on the self-image. There are elements of a “Pop Art” influence along with Japanese culture. The exhibit will also include new box constructions by artist Kevin House and new splatter paintings by comic illustrator Ron Wagner. Bekah Ash, who recently signed with Hallmark to use her imagery in a line of greeting cards, will also be showing works. Christine Mullane will unveil her latest commissioned collage painting “Reddi Wip Mick.” Rob Reeves will feature a new nightscape, Brent Houzenga will be exhibiting his environmentally friendly recycled window art and new to Artdive is artist Hasan Tosunbegovic who will show his surrealist landscapes. Let’s “Bring in the Spring!” for more info call 515-245-9000
THE EXHIBIT RUNS THROUGH JULY 17 TH

Polk County Fair Queen Contest

The Altoona Hustling Herdsmen have chosen their nominee for the Polk County Fair Queen Contest. It was a difficult decision and a close vote for our members to choose our nominee. We do have a senior girl who is willing to represent another club that might not have any members who are willing or eligible for the queen contest.

If your club is looking for someone to represent you in the queen contest, please contact me at timminsrg@gmail.com.

Stitch This Contest

AMES, Iowa – Nine wedding dresses, 36 teenagers and two days at the Iowa State Fair. That’s the pattern for Stitch This!, a 16-hour fashion design competition for Iowa high-school youth.
Inspired by the hit TV show “Project Runway,” the competition will involve teams of youth working together to deconstruct wedding dresses and design them into new wearable garments. Stitch This! will culminate in a runway-style fashion show during the 2009 Iowa State Fair. The competition is sponsored by Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development.
The grand prize winning team of teens will have the opportunity to share their talents with Michele Beschen, host and creator of “Courage to Create,” “B.Original” and “B.Organic” TV shows. Beschen recently was featured on “Rachel Ray.” The winning team and project will be featured in a segment on “B.Organic” during the fall/winter 2009. Youth will learn about developing their creative ideas and nurturing their talents.

“The Iowa 4-H Stitch This! event will be a fun opportunity for youth across the state to express their creativity, design style and fashion sense,” said Shelly Greving, marketing coordinator for the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “Besides, we had to do something with all those wedding dresses.”
The nine dresses had been donated to the Iowa 4-H Foundation for an auction at the 2008 Iowa State Fair, but they didn’t sell, Greving explained.

A way to excel“We also hope that youth will catch a glimpse of what 4-H is all about. Teens have many different ways to excel in any individual 4-H interest area,” she said.
Stitch This! will take place Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22 at the 4-H Exhibit Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Youth can apply in teams of four, and nine teams will be selected to compete, Greving said.

Here’s how the competition works: Each team will be assigned a wedding dress. Over the course of two days, each team will take the dress apart and will use their creativity to design and construct a wearable garment from the pieces. Each team will be paired with an ISU Textiles and Clothing student who will provide direction and overall expertise on patternmaking and construction.

“We are looking forward to this exciting new youth event for the 2009 Iowa State Fair, sponsored by 4-H. Stitch This! will bring youth together in an innovative way,” said Gary Slater, CEO/manager of the Iowa State Fair.

To apply, youth teams need to submit a written application online at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/StateFair/stitchthis.htm (or print off the PDF form and mail it in), as well as upload a video application to YouTube and e-mail the video link to iowa4h@iastate.edu. The video then will be posted on the 4-H YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/iowa4h.

Applications are due by June 1Teams will be selected by July 1 and will be announced at the State 4-H Youth Conference. All Iowa high school youth who have completed grades 9, 10, 11 or 12 are eligible to apply. At least one youth on each team must be a 4-H member. To join 4-H, youth need to contact their ISU Extension county office or call (515) 294-1607.
For more information on Stitch This!, contact Shelly Greving at (515) 294-1607 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/StateFair/stitchthis.htm.

-30-
Stitch This! Registration: www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/StateFair/stitchthisreg.htmStitch This! Video Submission: http://www.youtube.com/iowa4h

ABOUT THE IOWA 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. One quarter of Iowa’s young people are involved in 4-H. In Iowa, 4-H Youth Development is headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames.


Contacts :Shelly Greving, Iowa 4-H Foundation, (515) 294-1607 or (515) 294-4443, shellyg@iastate.edu

Run, Rock & Stroll on Saturday, June 13th

Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield presents Run, Rock & Stroll on Saturday, June 13th at Water Works Park in Des Moines! This is the largest annual fundraiser for The Heart Connection and we need YOUR SUPPORT! Create a TEAM and start fundraising now for this awesome event! These funds are vital to The Heart Connection programs that support a family’s cancer journey.

Just visit www.runrockstroll.com, scroll down to the bottom right and click “register here”. This will take to you to registration page which also has a link to set up your TEAM and fundraising page. The step by step instructions will guide you through set-up. Send your link out to family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers! You can get creative with t-shirts, bandanas, ribbons, buttons, etc… The sky is the limit! You can walk, run or do a little of both! Remember, you do not have to participate in the event to donate or to raise funds. If you ARE participating, however, you must register for the event before forming or becoming part of a team.

We will have a prize for the team who raises the most funds as well as for the individual raising the most funds. CREATE A TEAM TODAY!!!

Please contact Cindy at 243-6239 ext. 7 or at cindy@childrenscancerprograms.com with any questions.

See you on June 13th!!

**Note: If you plan to participate in the event, you will have to register at www.runrockstroll.com and pay your registration fees there. The team/fundraising page is a separate page. Race registration fees do not apply to the fundraising totals.

Mike Samuelson Memorial Scholarship

Mike Samuelson Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship fund was established in the memory of Mike Samuelson by the generosity of his friends and family.

Mike had three passions in his life; his family, farming and Iowa State. Mike had the opportunity through Iowa State and agriculture to make many friends and touch many lives. He will always be remembered by those that knew him as a caring, friendly and hard-working man.


Eligibility:

The scholarship is in the amount of $1,000.00 with the check made out to the recipient and Iowa State University. This scholarship will be awarded to a central Iowa graduating senior attending Iowa State University with a major in the College of Agriculture who excels in the following criteria:

The scholarship is open to any Central Iowa graduating senior who will be attending Iowa State with a major in the College of Agriculture and who exhibits high standards of personal conduct, integrity and character.

A copy of the Application can be found, here.

We will be extending the deadline for applications to April 20th. Please make sure to have the application in my hands by that date.

Please mail all applications to: Jeff Lilienthal 2712 140th St. Urbandale, IA 50323 Or scan/email the application to: jeff lilienthal [premierpromotions@mchsi.com] If there are any questions, feel free to call me as well. 515-987-6682.