Last month, Michigan State University removed many of their remaining COVID-19 rules in alignment with the current re-opening of the state announced on June 22. As a result, MSU Extension will no longer have any face-to-face requirements or require approvals for in-person 4-H meetings, activities or events. Michigan 4-H clubs and groups may now meet in-person as desired! Please continue to keep a record of attendance with contact information for each in-person engagement, via meeting minutes, registration, attendance log or other methods.

Volunteers who have not already done so will need to be in active status in Volunteer Central before re-engaging, but the Communicating Through Conflict training module is no longer required. Please contact your local 4-H program coordinator if you have questions about your current volunteer status.

While not a requirement, Michigan 4-H volunteers hosting in-person events are still encouraged to continue following best practices that allow individuals to increase their comfort level with meeting in person. This includes meeting outside when possible, keeping participant numbers below maximum capacity to allow for social distancing, offering hand sanitizer at touch points, frequently sanitizing surfaces and respecting the continued use of masks by those who choose to wear them. Flexibility continues to be key and groups should continue to provide options (including virtual) for participation to ensure all participants can remain involved given their individual circumstances.

It has been a very long road for our 4-H community since the COVID-19 pandemic landed on our doorsteps last March. In 4-H, learning never stops. We are thankful to have worked virtually with thousands of youth and volunteers over the last year and are very excited to now see you again at in-person 4-H events!

Ever wonder the importance of self-expression? Just looking to experience a variety of ways to express yourself? Well look no further! The self-expression SPIN Club is the one for you! Youths ages 8-12 can join to partake in activities such as painting, writing, musical expression, poetry, and so much more. Being held at the Salus Center, Lansing's LGBTQIA+ community center, register and learn more here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/4-h-self-expression-spin-club

Contact Kristy (oosterh6@msu.edu) or Eric (dobbras1@msu.edu) with any questions!

For more information, and to register visit https://bit.ly/FieldGuideSPIN.

Contact Rachel (ochylski@msu.edu) or Maria (lanemari@msu.edu) with any questions.

Join us for the Natural Dye SPIN club to learn about natural dyes, techniques, and methods. During each meeting, we’ll use natural dyes such as turmeric, tea leaves, and chamomile to color samples provided in supply kits. Recommended for Clinton and Eaton county youth ages 9 - 13, 4-H enrollment required. For more information, and to register visit https://bit.ly/NaturalDyeSPIN

Contact Rachel (ochylski@msu.edu) or Maria (lanemari@msu.edu) with any questions.

Play, learn and explore with us at “Cloverbuds in the Great Outdoors” on August 12 from 9am-3pm at Grand Woods Park in Lansing! Participants will engage in a variety of exciting, interactive activities including crafts, nature hikes, a scavenger hunt, and more. There is no cost to attend and each camper will get a swag bag! Open to all youth ages 5 – 7, all you need to do to partake in the fun is register now at https://events.anr.msu.edu/2021eatoninghamcloverbudcamp/.

Teen and Volunteer Help Needed: Eaton or Ingham County 4-H teens ages 12+ and volunteers, please register using the link above to help as camp counselors and volunteers!

We are transitioning back to in-person county level meetings. All meetings will be in-person at the PMR (basement conference room at the Extension office building) and will offer a Zoom option to connect virtually to the meetings, unless otherwise indicated. If you would like a virtual connection option for these meetings, please use the Zoom registration link for each meeting to register. Once you are registered, you will receive an email with the connection information.

Did you miss out on the Eaton County 4-H Council t-shirts sold during fair week or during pre-orders? You still can get a shirt!

Buy your t-shirts at the MSU Extension office during office hours (Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30am - 5pm; highly recommended to call 517-543-2310 prior to visiting). T-shirts are $12 each (2XL and 3XL sizes add $2/shirt). Sizes are available until gone, if your size is gone, sign-up on the list for a future order!

MSU Extension is excited to partner again in 2021 with the Michigan State Fair for an exciting program for Michigan youth: the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase. This statewide showcase provides a virtual platform for Michigan 4-H’ers and other youth to exhibit their work in all project areas and apply for $10,000 in scholarships. Michigan youth ages 5-19 are encouraged to participate.

Registration is now open until August 23! The diverse array of classes celebrate all the projects and programs in which youth have developed skill and mastery. This includes livestock and companion animal classes such as showmanship, breeding and market classes, as well as still exhibits, educational projects and more. There is no cost to participate and youth may engage in as many classes as they wish by submitting project photos and videos. Project evaluation will occur before the start of the Michigan State Fair so that winners can be announced at the event which occurs September 2-6.

In addition to the opportunity to showcase their skills, recognize their accomplishments and receive constructive feedback for growth and development, participants in the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase will also have the opportunity to apply for $10,000 in scholarships! Find the scholarship application and criteria, as well as more information about the Michigan State Fair 4-H & Youth Virtual Showcase at extension.msu.edu/MSF4HShowcase.

This page has been created for the purpose of providing a place youth and adults can go (virtually) to take care of themselves, calm, reset, re-center, or just take a break in their day. There are a variety of resources available on the page -- some exclusive to MSU Extension, and some we have curated from other sites. The page will be refreshed quarterly, and we will be adding more MSU Extension content, including videos produced by our own 4-H youth!

https://www.canr.msu.edu/virtual-calming-room/

Adapted from an article authored by Roxanne Turner, MSU Extension. Read the complete article at: www.canr.msu.edu/news/why-is-taking-attendance-an-important-best-practice-for-4-h-clubs.

The process for taking attendance can be done in many ways. It can be fun, quick or you can use it as a way to help youth connect or get more familiar with each other. The important part is to take the attendance prior to every meeting. The formal steps to taking attendance can be found in the resource, “Congratulations! You Are Secretary of Your 4-H Club.”