4-H clubs involve young people in organized groups, solving issues critical to their lives, their families, and society with an adult leader and a planned program of 4-H projects.

School Enrichment resource materials for teachers and optional classroom instruction on special topics.

Workshops and Special Interest Programs  available to any youth group on 4-H project areas or special topics such as career awareness and exploration, or leadership development.

For a complete list of activities throughout the state, visit the Alaska State 4-H page.

Thanks to the 70+ volunteers who came to the 2012 Pillow Patrol on January
14, 2012!  Because of their efforts, nearly 150 new pillowcases are ready to
be delivered to organizations that serve foster children and children in
need.

Special thanks this year to the Anchor Park United Methodist Women who have
continued to donate funds to purchase fabric for the pillowcases.  Thanks
for your commitment and support to our project!

Thanks also to Quilt Zone a quilting store in Anchorage.  They donate fabric
from their buy back program.  We appreciate their support and advertising
for our project.

If you are interested in making pillowcases or donating fabric for making
more, get in touch with Marianne Kerr at 786-6305 or mlkerr@alaska.edu
We accept pillowcases all year long and continue to donate them, the need is
always there. We especially like "kid themed" fabric so we can make cases
for boys and girls ages toddler to 18.

Many many thanks to everyone who participated!

We're back!

Science Saturday has returned at the Campbell Creek Science Center. Check out these great topics:

February 4 --  “Animal Tracking”—Check out the Campbell Track on snowshoes-look for animal evidence and more.

March 24 -- “Mining and Minerals”—What can rocks and mines teach and tell us?   Try and “edible” mine.

April 21 -- “Letterboxing”—Similar to geo-caching, learn to find letterboxes and how to set your own.

May 5 -- “Stream Studies”—Get into Campbell Creek, learn all about water health.

Everything is the same as in previous years--same location, same great Science Center leaders, same time on Saturday afternoons—1-4 p.m. There will be an initial charge of $6 for 4-H membership and $5 per program after that. Of course there is now a charge for adults. This year’s program is geared towards ages 10-14 with adult partners.

Also new this year is that we will be sharing Science Saturday with some Girl Scouts from middle schools in the area. Their enthusiasm for science and the Science Center will add great enthusiasm to our program.

Check out the programs, let Marianne know when you’ll be there: mlkerr@alaska.edu or 786-6305.

Many thanks to the Friends of the Campbell Creek Science Center who included our program in their grant request to BP Exploration.

Science Saturday was held at the Campbell Creek Science Center which has many other programs and events for the whole family. I recommend clicking on the “Nature Rocks” activity guide; it is full of great ideas of things to do as a family during the fall. Find the links at the Science Center

Konnichiwa!

This year, we celebrate 40 years of the 4-H exchange with Japan. During this time, thousands of USA youth have enjoyed being a part of a Japanese family, and/or have welcomed a Japanese boy or girl into their homes. All have made lifelong friends, become more confident, and seen their world expand. Many have chosen their future careers based upon their exchange experiences. If you aren't able to travel this year, or if you have a younger brother or sister who also enjoys making friends from other countries, your family may want to also consider being a host family. Please view these links for an application and more information:

The University of Alaska 4-H Youth program is now accepting applications for the July 2012 exchange program to Japan. Participants learn about Japanese culture before they travel, then enjoy a one-month homestay with a Japanese family, hosted by a Japanese boy or girl the same age and gender as themselves. They do whatever their Japanese brother or sister may do, including attending a short summer camp, and experience Japanese life as a resident, not as a tourist. If you are not currently a 4-H member, that's ok. As part of this program, you will be enrolled in 4-H. If you do not speak Japanese, that is ok, too, as your host brother or sister wants to practice his or her English. If you do speak Japanese, and want to learn more, this is a great opportunity.

Here are links to the application form and to more information about the exchange.

Mariah, a member of the Daring Mustangs 4-H club in Chugiak has gone global! After spending two 4-H Youth In Government sessions in Juneau, she applied for and was accepted into the 4-H western region exchange to Mongolia during the summer of 2011. Mariah, along with Kira O’Donohue from Fairbanks and adult chaperone Peter Stortz from Palmer, spent a month in Mongolia learning the language, staying with a host family and being an ambassador representing the United States. Upon her return she wrote the following articles for local newspapers:

Eagle River Star

Frontiersman

Our very own SeaLife Center is participating in this contest: There is a December 15 deadline—they are hoping to have an Alaskan winner this year.  

The Alaska SeaLife Center, along with 20 other aquariums and science centers across the country, are participating in Coastal America’s Ocean Art Contest. This contest was created to convey the importance of the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.

There are five age categories to compete in: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, and university students. All entries will be displayed at the Alaska SeaLife Center. First, second, and third place winners in each category will also be chosen. Remember, this art contest can make a great class project. For more information click here.

More sea life opportunities:

This link is from the US Fish and Wildlife office who is hopping to have a winner from Alaska in the “Wildlife Forever” program:

The deadline is March 31, 2012

Change is good, especially if you direct your efforts toward a better life for yourself, your family and the community. To start making a difference, ponder how you can share your ideas with the rest of your family and with similar-minded friends, neighbors and co-workers. Here are a few helpful hints to get you started:

• Save fuel and money: Tune up your car, check tire air pressure, clean air filter.
• Be healthy: Get your vaccinations (call the Public Health Department). 
• Reuse your grocery bags or bring your own.
• Bike, bus or walk for errands around town.
• Share yourself: Be a foster parent. Check out www.hss.state.ak.us/OCS/.
• Volunteer! Join the Pillow Patrol and make pillowcases to donate to foster children. Call 907-786-6305.
• Start a 4-H club for neighborhood kids.

It’s not too soon to think about 4-H for the next school year. What do you like to do? 4-H is unique—you can form around anything or everything. Find some friends who think like you, get some interested parents or adults to be leaders and get started.  

The 4-H office is planning these events for the next year; you can be a part of something great:

• Science Saturday
• Youth in Government
• Sewing and Craft classes

Please contact me at mlkerr@alaska.edu with any questions or ideas for 4-H in Anchorage.