In addition to our local 4-H Clubs, there are several short-term programs coming up this spring in 4-H. Choose what looks most interesting to you, and start learning by doing!

Programs listed below:

• Virtual 4-H Embryology
• Speak Up!
• Spring Break Series: Archery Field Day, Community Service with The Wig Bank of Caldwell County, and the 4-H STEM Series
• Volunteer Appreciation at the Hickory Crawdads
• Caldwell Ag Expo
• Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP)
• Caldwell County Activity Day

Virtual 4-H Embryology

We have a number of students participating in traditional 4-H Embryology in their classrooms, but we want to share the experience with others too! Tune in weekly on YouTube for updates and enjoy our hatch cam toward the end of March.

Photo by Ken Martin – A boy observes chicks as part of his 4-H embryology project.

Speak Up!

This is a workshop series for youth wanting to improve their speaking skills and enter into a 4-H presentation contest. Sessions will be held at the Extension Center meeting room. 

Workshop dates:

• March 20 from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
• April 3 from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
• April 17 from 3:30-5:00 p.m.

Email sarah_kocher@ncsu.edu to pre-register and receive reminders about Speak Up!

Spring Break Series

Attend one or more 4-H programs over spring break!

Archery Field Day – register on Eventbrite

This is a joint event on April 11 with Wilkes County 4-H. Participants will get the opportunity to learn about archery and 4-H Shooting Sports! Trained instructors will be on hand to teach beginners about first shot fundamentals to lay the foundations of their archery journey.

All participants will need to have a completed enrollment in 4-H Online in order to participate. Enrollments can be completed at: v2.4honline.com

The registration fee for this event is $15 and can be paid with either cash or check. A second tier of tickets are available at $30 and includes a t-shirt.

Please make all checks to “Wilkes County 4-H.”

Community Service at The Wig Bank of Caldwell County  – register on Eventbrite

Youth are invited to serve with The Wig Bank of Caldwell County on April 13. They will assist with housecleaning, mannequin head painting, and office support. We are limited to 6 youth per time slot.

About the The Wig Bank of Caldwell County

The Wig Bank proudly serves the community by supporting people in their journey of battling cancer. They assist all people, all cancers, all the time! Services provided at no charge include:

• Wigs and head wear (turbans/hats)
• Licensed Salon and volunteer stylists
• “BeYoutiFul” class each month to teach skin care and makeup for patients in treatment
• Gas cards to assisst families in travel to appointments
• Grocery cards to support famililies financially
• Support for caregivers
• Assistance in identifying other financial resources

4-H STEM Series – register on Eventbrite

Youth can register for STEM workshops on Friday, April 14. Each workshop will be held at the Extension Meeting Room.

• Part 1 – Ocean Explorers from 9:00-10:30 a.m. for ages 8-14
• Part 2 – Basic Electricity from 11:00-12:30 for ages 8-18
• Part 3 – Advanced Electricity from 1:30-3:30 p.m. for ages 13-18

Will Perry works to ballast his ocean robot model during 4-H STEM Night on October 13 at CCC&TI. Ballasting involves adding or removing weights to vessels to change their buoyancy.

Volunteer Appreciation at the Crawdads

In recognition of our 4-H adult volunteers, we will be hosting a volunteer appreciation event at the Hickory Crawdads game on April 6, 2023 – opening night!

Caldwell Ag Expo

Caldwell County 4-H will be exhibiting at the Caldwell Agriculture Expo on May 5-6. Help at 4-H’s Ag Expo booth — or visit the Expo! Members and volunteers are needed for the exhibitor booth on Friday and Saturday. Families should contact Sarah Kocher at sarah_kocher@ncsu.edu to help. Helpers should also be enrolled in 4-H Online for 2022.

Saturday, May 6 is open to the public, so please also stop by with your family that day to enjoy the community event. It will take place at the Caldwell Agriculture Fairgrounds.

WHEP

The Wildlife Habitat Education Program or WHEP is a an environmental education program for youth ages 8-18. The tri-county WHEP team will continue to meet this spring.

Spring meeting dates:

• Practice on January 18 from 4-5 p.m. at Caldwell Extension Meeting Room
• Practice on February 1 from 4-5 p.m. at Caldwell Extension Meeting Room
• Field Trip on February 20 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., starting from Caldwell Extension Center
• Practice on March 15 from 4-5 p.m. at Caldwell Extension Meeting Room
• Field Trip on March 27 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area
• Practice on April 5 from 4-5 p.m. at Caldwell Extension Meeting Room
• Practice on April 26 from 4-5 p.m. at Caldwell Extension Meeting Room

The state contest will be May 6 at PeeDee National Wildlife Refuge in Anson County.

WHEP participants examine recently burned game land in Caldwell County.

Caldwell County Activity Day

4-H presentations are a vital part of the 4-H program. Every 4-H member can profit in some way from preparing and presenting a presentation. 4-H alumni who have participated in 4-H presentations often say their experiences built communication skills, public speaking skills, poise, confidence, organizational skills, research skills, and thought expression.

Cloverbuds can participate in Show and Tell. Members can prepare a presentation or public speaking piece. Presentations are best when props and slides are used, and they can be presented individually or as part of a team.

County Activity Day will be May 13, 2023. More details are available here.

Practicing and tackling a task often associated with feelings of nervousness or anxiety, like public speaking, helps youth learn how to control their emotions and feel rewarded when they have accepted risk.

District and State Events

4-H offers district and state level events as well. These events are not managed by Caldwell County 4-H, but they are fun and educational like any other 4-H program. View district and state events on our Upcoming Events page or in 4-H Online under the “Events” tab.

Accommodations

We will be happy to work with you to accommodate your child’s needs. Accommodation requests related to a disability can be best served if they are made at least three weeks prior to an event to Sarah Kocher at 828-757-1258 or sarah_kocher@ncsu.edu.

If transportation needs are communicated at least three weeks prior to a program, 4-H will work to discuss options with parents. Some programs allow more flexibility to accommodate transportation than others. This is not offered every year. Again, contact Sarah Kocher directly to discuss this.

To learn more about Caldwell County 4-H, view the information page on our website.