Kudos

Chevron Community Pride Award
And the winner is……: Artistic Alchemist 4-H Club!
On February 28 at the Know Your Government Legislators Breakfast Poulsbo's, Artistic Alchemist 4-H club was awarded the Chevron Community Pride Award. They were selected from clubs across Washington because of the service they provided to residents at Liberty Shores Retirement Center. In their photography project, after learning how to take portraits of the year they "brainstormed ways we could use our knowledge and provide a community service at the same time. . Eventually we came-up with the idea to go to a nursing home and take procures for the residents to keep or share with family members. By using a digital camera, we could also email tem on behalf of the residents. We took 3 pictures of each subject. Each participant was presented with an 8x 10 photo. 29 residents participated in the Photo Shoot. 3 residents had family join them and one had a dog in his picture. …The value of this project went beyond taking pictures of the residents. We had personal interaction with the residents and realized that need to stay in contact with the elderly people in our community. We learned that we live in a community that is truly blessed with young and old members."
In addition to taking pictures, they also made Christmas Ornaments for a women's shelter, provided decorations for a retirement center,
They submitted their application for the Tracy Sue Parker Award in our county and won. Their application was then sent on to the State 4-H Foundation where it was selected as the winning project for the state. For more information about Service learning and these awards please go to our web site.

Mega Monday
This years Mega Monday was an overwhelming success. Usually we have an attendance of around 100 participants and presenters. This year we had over 160 attending the event. The selection of topics was new and interesting. Thank you to all of the presenters who did such a good job of making their workshops hands on. This year's attendance will mean that Pre registration will be necessary for next year.
Thank you to Department of Public Works for hand outs for the worm composting.

Another Successful Event
On February 3 and 4, 4-H, the Clothing and Textile Advisors, and Food Safety Advisors cosponsored a sewing lock in. Participants made pillow cases, embellished book bags that they made, participated in a style show, and played games and had fun together. The next morning our Food Safety Advisor guided them in making their breakfast in a microwave oven.
Both Participants and parents are looking forward to this becoming an annual event. Space will again be limited so watch your newsletter and sign up early.

Upcoming Events

March
1 Rabbit/Cavy Leaders, 7PM 4-H Kitchen
2 4-H Council Mtg, 4-H Office 4th Floor, 6:30 pm
7 Leaders Training - Session 3, Silverdale Comm. Ctr, Poplars Room, 6:15-9:15pm
10-11 Public Presentation Contest- PresidentsHall
13 Market Animal Comm., 7PM 4-H Kitchen
14 Leaders Training - Session 4, Silverdale Comm. Ctr, Poplars Room, 6:15-9:15pm
15 Horse Leaders Mtg, 7 pm Silver Spurs
15 Camp Program Mtg, Eagle's Nest, 7pm
16 Dog Leaders Mtg, 7pm Coho Room, Silverdale Community Center
19 Dog Project Educational Activity, 10-3pm Eagles Nest
22 Water Festival, Olympic College
28 Camp Trustees, 7 PM, Silverdale Group Health
April
1 Rabbit/Cavy Spring Fling, 9-3pm, Rabbit Barn, E Barn
1 Cat Show, 9-3pm, Cat Barn
5 Rabbit/Cavy Leaders, 7PM 4-H Kitchen
6 4-H Council Meeting, 4-H Office 4th Floor, 6:30pm
10 Dog Project Educational Workshop, 6-8pm, President's Hall, Back Portion
19 Horse Leaders Mtg, 7 pm Silver Spurs
19 Camp Program Mtg, 4-H Kitchen, 7pm
20 Dog Leaders Mtg, 7 PM Coho Room, Silverdale Community Center
25 Camp Trustees, 7 PM, Silverdale Group Health

About These Events

Twin Lakes 4-H Camp
Question: Is it too early to start thinking about 4-H Camp?
Answer: Definitely not! Planning is now underway for the 2006 camp year.

Camp dates worth noting:

Get a head start on planning on attending this years Lewis and Clark themed camp session. With the camp season for this year, there are changes to enrollment and fees for campers (including Adults and TCs). Please see the chart below for information on enrollment dates and fees.

When you enroll your campers, you must also include the enrollment of your responsible adult camper. If there is a shortage of adults, campers will not be able to attend.
Requirement of adults per campers is as follows:
Age 8 years and over, 1 adult* per 8 campers
Ages 5, 6, and 7 years, 1 adult* per 4 campers
*This is the minimum requirement of adult campers to campers.

Enrollment date and fees for campers, Adult Campers (AC), Teen Counselors (TC), and Counselor in Training (CIT):

*Final date for registering for camp is June 15th. Registrations will not be accepted after June 15th.
Camp fees must be paid at the time of enrollment.

Pacific Science Center Camp-In
As the sun sets outside, the fun starts in the Pacific Science Center! Embark on a journey though hands-on exhibits, warm up in our Tropical Butterfly House and explore the night sky in our Planetarium. In this year's workshop, "Get Over It:? Bridges," you will explore the forces that keep bridges up by engineering you own bridge. Life is boring without discovery, so come discover the pacific Science Center at night.
Date: Saturday April 1
Who: 4-H youth, their friends and leaders, grades 3-8
Time: 6:00 p.m. Saturday o 9:30am Sunday
Fee: $40 per person
Registration Forms are in the 4-H Office and must be postmarked by March 10.

State Ambassador Report
Gretchen Scherzinger
On the weekend of January 7-8, the team of State Ambassadors ventured from all across the state, to Yakima. Eight new members joined the eight veteran ones and our four advisors, to hold this term's first official State Ambassador meeting. We opened the meeting by discussing our position as State Ambassadors; in doing so we seriously considered our Contract and Code of Conduct while devising goals/purpose for us to achieve the coming 4-H year. We also considered all of the statewide boards and committees--our team supporters, and how our position would be much more difficult without the support that they give us. We made plans as to how we will communicate with those boards and committees in the coming year.
"Our purposes are to:"

• increase awareness of 4-Hp
• provide opportunities to get together:
• provide opportunities for 4-Youth across the state to get together & develop leadership potential within ourselves and others
• be a resource to the county, district and state
• be a resource to the 4-H program in WA State
• help plan and conduct county and district events: help plan county, district and state events
• promote youth and adult partnerships
• contribute enthusiasm and knowledge
• provide a positive identity for teens within their own age-group, and throughout their community
• promote the positive diversity of 4-H youth and diversity of our programs

Other topics discussed were: fundraising options, County Teen Representatives, Know Your Government, and State Conference. We also broke off into our district groups to focus on the smaller and more specific matters that are only relevant to the individual districts.
Some of the obvious highlights of the meeting were the amazing speakers. On Saturday evening Chris Jackson, the Yakima Co. Extension Director, and Emelindo Escobedo, the WSU Admissions Counselor, spoke to us about WSU programs, 4-H scholarships, and admittance into WSU. On Sunday morning Pat BoyEs, the State 4-H Director, joined us for part of our meeting and spoke to us about making speaker introductions. This was very helpful and new material for us.

National 4-H Photography Contest!
Pat BoyEs
National 4-H Council needs winning photos from your state and county fairs (2001-2006) to create the 2008 4-H Calendar. Thirteen photographs will be selected. These original photographs will be gallery mounted and framed and a brass plate engraved with the title and photographer's name will be attached. The winning photos will be on display at the National 4-H Conference Center from September 2006 through November 2006 and also posted on the web site, www.4-hmall.org.
For details visit: http://kitsap.wsu.edu/4h/photocontest.htm

Cluck, Quack, Honk, and Gobble
Do you want to learn more about your chicken, duck, goose, or even your turkey? Come to the County Wide Poultry Meetings and learn what it takes to raise and show almost any type of poultry. Come even if you aren't doing a poultry project in 4H. Our meetings are held once a month at two different locations. One meeting is in Poulsbo and the other is in Port Orchard. Check out our web site for meeting dates. The poultry web site has lots and lots of good poultry "Stuff" on it. For more information contact Pam or Karl Jensen or just visit our web site.
Karl & Pam Jensen
(360) 598-5858
Kitsap County Poultry 4H Leaders
Kitsap County Poultry Superintendents
kcpoultry@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~kcpoultry/

Washington 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training
Jane Schmidt
The State 4-H Shooting Sports have given us dates for the Shooting Sports training. On April 21-23 we will have the opportunity to go to training at the Kitsap County Fair grounds. We still don't know the cost, but we know the schedule. Friday night starting at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm will start the training with 4-H and working with youth. Saturday at 8:00 am will start the Archery and Air Rifle shooting training, one can only go to one area.
6:00 pm will end the shooting training for the day. Sunday at 8:00 am to12:00 pm will finish the training. Mark your calendars. More to come when the flyer is developed and available.

Idaho is offering training March 24-25 in the Coeur d' Alene area and again April 21-22 in the Twin Falls area. Washington shooting sports leaders can attend trainings in ID and OR to meet their certification requirements.. For more information, contact Janet Schmidt, State 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator, schmidtj@wsu.edu or 509-397-6290. Planning is underway to offer archery training in early spring at a Western WA location. Remember: to lead and archery project you MUST complete this training!

Cougar Youth Weekend Update
--Jerry Newman
WSU Dairy Club announces-Cougar Youth Weekend, April 28-30, 2006 (Friday-Sunday); a weekend for youth 10-18 years of age with an interest in aspects of the dairy industry and showing.
Showmanship instruction will be emphasized, with workshops offered for fitting, showing and handling of dairy heifers. Each individual will be given the opportunity to work with a heifer, have hands-on practice during the workshops, and on the last day, demonstrate what he or she has learned during the showmanship contest. Youth can also enroll in the Dairy Cattle Judging workshop, which will concentrate on visual appraisal and oral reasons. Instruction in nutrition, reproduction, breeding, and udder health of dairy cows will also be offered.
For more information on Cougar Youth Weekend, contact Sarah Giebel, Cougar Youth Weekend secretary, sarah_giebel@wsu.edu.
Registration Form: http://4-h.wsu.edu/news/Tues/attachments/cougaryouthwknd.pdf

Cat Show
Kitsap County Cat Project is hosting a Cat Show at the Fairgrounds on April 1. Please see the attached flyer for details.

EQUINE

Washington State 4-H Definition of "A Safe Equine Riding Boot"
--Jerry Newman
The criteria developed by the Equine Advisory Committee as result of new boot style called "Fat Boy":
" Boot must fit flat in the stirrup with the ball of the foot on the flat of the iron or stirrup.
" Boot must be able to move freely in the stirrup and be able to slide out.
" Boot heel, must have an adequate heel stop to prevent the forward movement of the boot though the stirrup.
*Note: These criteria would change page 5 of PNW574, 4-H Horse Contest Guide, and would be included in the 2006-07 revision of the 4-H Horse Contest Guide, and will be placed in the 2006 State 4-H Fair Premium Book.

Helmets
Just a reminder Equestrian helmets MUST BE WORN at all 4-H Equestrian events when horses are being ridden or driven.

Kitsap County Horse Judging
These are the dates for the Horse Judging!
March 4th @ 9 am
April 11th @ 5 pm
May 17th @ 5 pm
The Judging will take place in the Lower Arena. If you have questions, please contact your leader or Chris Miller.

Equine Judging: The first "judging" will be similar to the previously used packets. It will be based on Contest Guide, Equine/Horse Manuals and Rule guideline sources. There will be approximately 50 questions. Designed "Open Book" style it will be distributed at the first judging, returned to Kathy Marcotte, graded then returned to members. Missed questions need to be corrected with the reference source quoted by source, page and paragraph.
There is a requirement for a 100% score on this section. The test will be the same for all age groups. There is still the standard 1 June deadline. Other judging sessions are tentatively scheduled at the Fairgrounds arena for March 4th at 9:00 a.m., April 11th and May 17 both at 5:00 p.m. Credit will be given to those that ride/participate for one section but they must judge the other 3 sections. Leaders/adults are encouraged to ride this year so more 4-Hers can actively judge.

2006 State Fair Equine Schedule
--Tom Gwin
The State 4-H Fair Board is pleased to announce their 2006 Equine Schedule for the State 4-H Fair in Puyallup:

September 6-10 - Intermediate Performance
September 10-13 - Senior Performance A (King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Snohomish & Thurston Counties)
September 13-16 - Senior Performance B (all other counties)
September 16-17 - Senior Performance Champions
September 17-20 - Intermediate Western Games
September 20-23 - Senior Western Games
September 23-24 - Int. & Sr. Harness; Int. & Sr. Dressage
Other equine activities will be as follows:
September 9 - Horse Judging Contest
September 9 - Groom Squad
September 16 - National Equine Public Presentations

Please inform your equine project members and their families of this year's schedule.

State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
--Jerry Newman
The Washington State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest will be on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at Snohomish High School, Snohomish. WA Contest information and Registration Forms will be sent to County Offices and posted on the 4-H Website.

Equine Showmanship Clinic
Equine Showmanship Clinic sponsored by Happy Trails 4-H Club, May 13, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. at the Lower Arena at the Fairgrounds.
On Saturday, May 13, 2006, at 1:00 p.m., Happy Trails 4-H Club is sponsoring a showmanship clinic at the Fairgrounds Lower Arena. The cost is only $10 per horse and handler combination. You will learn from last year's senior grand and reserve champions in showmanship and have additional experienced help in learning how to look confident and teach your horse how to respond to your commands. Start your training early so you can be ready for the show season. Be sure to wear boots and wear long sleeves. --. "Although helmets are not required in showmanship, we encourage you to wear one. In any event, bring one along in the event there is an opportunity to ride." Also have a halter and lead rope with a chain for your horse. If you wish to sign up for the clinic, call Joy Zegstroo at (360) 779-7456 (leave a message and phone number if no answer) or send an e-mail to her at jczegstroo@hotmail.com. Please register as soon as possible. This is a great learning opportunity for both novice and advanced handlers.

4-H Horse Judges School Coming!
--Jerry Newman
Circle your calendars. The 2006 4-H Horses Judges School will be Oct 6-8, 2006 at TRAC, Pasco, WA. The committee will have the registration fee set soon and the registration forms will soon follow.

2006 Kitsap County Fair & Stampede Queen
Applications are now available for the 2006 Kitsap County Fair & Stampede Queen. The Kitsap County Fair & Stampede Queen represents the Fair & Stampede at various events, parades, rodeos, and speaking engagements through the year, leading up to the 2006 Kitsap County Fair & Stampede.
Applications are available at Charly Boots in Silverdale and from Candy Gratton-(Kitsap County Fair & Stampede Queen Chairperson) 1106 NE State Hwy 308, Poulsbo, WA 98370, 360-779-9559. Applications are due by Sunday, March 12th, 2006.
On Saturday, April 1st. Miss Rodeo Washington Association will be holding a Queen's Clinic at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Even though this clinic is for perspective queens, the information is very helpful for youth enrolled in Equine 4-H projects. The aspects of this clinic can help with Public Presentation, Horsemanship, Showmanship, and Appearance for competitions.
This years Pageant and Coronation will be held Saturday, April 8th, in the President's Hall at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. For further information, please contact Candy Gratton.