These Are the "Survive If Possible" Months for Those Involved in 4-H Programs
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While the Extension Agents were assembling s'mores and tending to the campfire, others were taking group pictures of 4-H campers from Blaine County. Back Row (standing): Conner Bowles, Ashlyn Hofeldt, Walter Schoen, Evan Davies, Westen Paulsen, Julian Powell, Owen Davies, Lane Wicks, Fletcher Anderson, Kenneth Gruszie, Sydney Bowles, Lynley Conrad, and Saraya Jones. Middle Row (standing): Evan Powell, Hayden Paulsen, and Kyle Hudon. Middle Row (kneeling): Kendle Lankford, Izzy Baker, Gus Buck, Colter Snedigar, Sasha Anderson, Lillie Skoyen, Kaylie Skoyen, Janna Snedigar, Claire Buck, and Mary Simons. Front Row: Richard Conrad and Wacee Simenson.
Over thirty youth from Blaine County participated in the 2021 Multi-County 4-H Camp held at Camp Kiwanis south of Havre from June 14-June 15. The theme this year was "Decades of Fun." Cloverbud Camp will take place this afternoon, June 30, at the Blaine County Fairgrounds. With the conclusion of camps, the countdown to fair intensifies.
In alignment with the theme, groups and cabins each represented a different decade. Counselors decorated their cabins and areas to match the decade they chose. MSU Blaine County Ag, Natural Resources, and 4-H Extension Agent, Julianne Snedigar explained that the campers were split this year so as to honor certain COVID protocols and in an effort to keep numbers manageable. Although Blaine County 4-H members were joined by campers from Hill and Phillips Counties on the first two days, those from Liberty, Chouteau, Pondera, Toole, and Glacier Counties arrived late on Tuesday, June 15 and departed about midmorning on Thursday, June 17.
"That schedule made for some long days for camp counselors and chaperones, but the 4-H members probably could have gone a couple more days, no problem," Snedigar stated.
During 4-H camp, when leaders and counsellors have the undivided attention of their 4-H members, they conduct hands-on learning activities, play team building games, and lead get-acquainted exercises in order to encourage interaction and network building as the campers meet one another.
Some of those activities and workshops included making ice cream, tie-dying pillowcases, shooting archery, crafting friendship bracelets, learning canoe and water safety, participating in a lip-sync contest, roasting marshmallows for s'mores, and practicing different dances and games.
Snedigar reported that it was a jam-packed week. "Although a few went home a little more sunburned than others, they were happy to be back at camp."
Due to the wind's severity, the first group of campers didn't benefit from the opportunity to go canoeing. Instead, they did a walk-around the campgrounds to locate plant varieties. Using field guides, they identified wild onions, various noxious weeds, and different types of grasses.
Another camp activity featured Scott Francis, who typically leads the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. He led the groups in the assembling of survival kits that they could take on a hike or in their vehicles. Francis also discussed survival issues related to purifying water, finding shelter, and safely starting a fire.
On June 30, the Cloverbuds, a special 4-H program for youth five to seven years old, will have their version of camp at the Blaine County Fairgrounds. According to Snedigar, the agenda will be fun, hands-on, and discovery-oriented. She explained that Trent Noel, the Family Consumer Science and 4-H Youth Development Agent, has craft activities lined-up and some field trips planned.
With the conclusion of camps, the calendar will turn a page and fair planning will continue with a fevered-pitch. Snedigar described June and July as "survive if possible months!" She and her team spend those two months running after 4-H club members and hammering out logistics for the fair. Every Wednesday evening, the organization hosts dog and horse project workshops, and they will start weekly beef and lamb showmanship clinics in the next couple of weeks. In fact, on Wednesday afternoon, June 23, this interview was cut short because Snedigar had to gather horses for the horse-riding workshop that evening.
A key July event, Project Day-slated for July 21 this year-is about constructing creative entries connected to the members' 4-H projects. The results of Project Day can be entered in the fair to win ribbons and premium dollars. 4-H Project Day further provides protected time for members to acquire additional information about the projects they earlier selected. They are not limited to attending only those activities that reflect their current projects, however. It is also a great time to learn more about other 4-H projects that are available.
In related business, 4-H program officials are working on getting the Chuckwagon up and running again after a year off. Snedigar reports that this process includes determining the menu, scheduling work shifts, and staffing those shifts with members.
"In order for the Chuckwagon to operate smoothly, we need to be mindful of the flow of traffic, not only for those coming to eat but for the workers, as well," Snedigar said.
The Chuckwagon menu will continue to offer those signature pies baked by 4-H families, as well as burgers with fried onions. "We're working on obtaining a soft serve ice cream machine so that we can serve pie à la mode and ice cream cones, too," Snedigar reported. "Whether that plan will take place this year or not has yet to be determined."
The Blaine County Fair is scheduled to occur from August 11-15.
