Custom 4-H Ornaments

The Team OKC Robotics 4-H Club is creating customizable Christmas ornaments using their new laser cutter/engraver to do some fundraising this month! If you would like to order some custom ornaments with your club or county name on them, please head over to teamokcrobotics.com/ornaments and fill out the request form! You will receive one customized wooden ornament for each $5 donated or one two-color/two-layer acrylic ornament for each $10 donated. 

Team OKC students will be processing orders over the next few weekends. Please make your requests by noon on Friday, December 15th. Orders will be processed each weekend and shipped or ready for pickup on the following Monday or Tuesday.

In the near future, we will also be offering things like customizable signs, awards, bag tags, keychains, and lots of other items!

They’ve been in office since the closing assembly of the 2023 State 4-H Roundup, and these 14 club members are working hard toward the goals they set at that time.

What is the role of the state leadership council? Cathleen Taylor, state leadership and civic engagement specialist with the State 4-H office at Oklahoma State University said this group sets goals that all 4-H’ers from across the state work toward.

“There are several state service projects that all club members go toward and the leadership council encourages clubs to help meet these goals,” Taylor said.

4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors work both individually and as a team, bringing wellness awareness, programs, and initiatives to communities across Oklahoma. Oklahoma 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors provide support and programming to local 4-H clubs, county, district, and state programs. Healthy Living Ambassadors will also be called upon to attend health-related programs and events.

Oklahoma 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors will: 

• Help set and achieve goals in the 4-H Healthy Living framework

• Support the work of 4-H Healthy Living

• Participate in the Oklahoma Healthy Living Summit and conference calls

• Work closely with Healthy Living Ambassador Advisor at the Oklahoma State 4-H office and other team members

4-H Healthy Living Ambassador applications are due December 15, 2023, to cathy.allen@okstate.edu

Subject line: HL Youth Ambassador Application

Age of applicants: High School Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.  

The team will consist of up to 10 Oklahoma 4-H members. 

**2023-2024 is the last time seniors will be allowed to apply for State 4-H Healthy Living Ambassador. Beginning in 2024 the application will only be open to High School Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors.  

Our Teen Leaders are wanting to celebrate with you! Join us for a Holiday Party with a potluck dinner, games, gift exchange, and crafts! Sign up to bring something to the potluck below. We hope to see you there!

The Oklahoma County 4-H Public Speaking Contest is conducted to promote a greater interest in public speaking and allow all 4-H members to develop and polish their public speaking skills.

DATE OF THE CONTEST:

The contest will be held on January 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma County OSU Extension Conference Building. 

ENTRY INFORMATION:

All entries must be received by the 4-H Educators no later than January 11, 2024. Participants must use the Oklahoma 4-H Public Speaking Entry Form online, linked below.

Please complete an entry form for each type of presentation you will be giving. Please identify the respective grade category, presentation type, subject category, and presentation title on each form. Members must be in “Active” status in the 4h.zsuite.org system. The Oklahoma State 4-H Membership Guidelines will be utilized to determine membership, grade categories, and general rules. 4-H members do not have to qualify at a local contest to participate. 

Program Overview: The Outdoor Adventure Program is designed to immerse our youth in natural settings, fostering healthy habits and providing valuable outdoor education. Recognizing the diverse skill levels within our community, this program accommodates differences by allowing participants to progressively build stamina through a series of tiered challenges. All youth are encouraged to participate, and see if this program is right for them. 

Program Structure: Each tier comprises a set of challenges that vary in difficulty, encouraging participants to push their limits and develop outdoor skills. To add an element of achievement and motivation, a reward is granted upon the successful completion of each tier. This gear is carefully chosen to equip participants for more demanding outdoor experiences.

Timeline and Challenges: To ensure a sense of accomplishment and maintain engagement, all challenges within a tier must be completed within the timeframe of a single 4-H year. In other words, all challenges for your current tier level must be achieved by July 31, 2024. Failure to do so will require participants to restart at the same tier level for the subsequent program year. To track the progression of the challenges, we are going to set up a group chat using the band app for participants to upload their progress. To verify hiking miles, 4-H’ers will need to have two things: a screenshot of an app used to track hiking miles (i.e. Strava, Alltrails, Hiking Project, etc), and at least one photo from their hike. 

Getting Started: We encourage you to share this exciting opportunity with your 4-H members and gauge their interest in joining the Outdoor Adventure Program. Leaders, your support and encouragement will play a pivotal role in making this program a success. Weather permitting, our first event is going to be a short, family friendly hike at Martin Nature Park on Saturday, December 2nd. We will be sending out a signup for “trail angels” to come out that morning and prepare a light breakfast/refreshments for the group as we finish up the hike. Again, all ages are welcome to come, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.

RSVP: Again, all current 4-H members are welcomed and encouraged to sign up for this program. While we hope they continue on there is no penalty for dropping out of the program. So there is absolutely no harm in them signing up even if they are unsure if it’s really for them. To sign up, use the following form:

• Enrollment is a yearly requirement to participate in all 4-H activities and competitions.

• The cost is $20 per child.

• If your child plans to participate in any event or contest, they must have an "Active" status on ZSuite.

• Volunteers are also required to enroll yearly.

• Enrollment runs from August 1st- June 30th.

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, visit https://eeo.okstate.edu.