National Summer Learning Day is a great opportunity to showcase your program and get the word out about the importance of summer learning.

Host an event during the week of June 21 or anytime during the summer! During this national showcase, summer learning programs will highlight how they work to:

• Maintain and advance participants' academic and developmental growth
• Support working families
• Keep children safe and healthy
• Send young people back to school ready to learn

To help you prepare for Summer Learning Day, the Association is offering an archived webinar series. Each webinar looks at a different component of the planning process and offers suggestions for planning a Summer Learning Day event. Check out the archived webinars.

Join communities across the country in celebrating the importance of summer learning on June 21. Summer Learning Day is supported by elected officials and policymakers, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, universities, museums, libraries and summer camps across the country. Design an event that demonstrates the value of your program and generates more support for summer learning in your community.

• Get parents, community leaders, volunteers, kids, members of the press and others excited about summer learning.
• Showcase the achievements of your program and the young people who participate. Highlight your local partners and invite them to participate.
• Send a strong message about the importance of summer programming––celebrate your accomplishments, and call for support to ensure that summer programs in your community and across the country thrive. Every child should have access to high-quality learning opportunities during the summer months.

Do you have programs in multiple locations? Sign up as a Summer Learning Day Partner and challenge all of your sites to register their Summer Learning Day events.

Can’t schedule an event the week of June 21? No problem! Schedule an event at a time that works for your organization. But don’t forget to register and take advantage of our resources.

Consider signing up your camps, fairs or other educational events during the summer to showcase your 4-H program!

The 4-H Horsemanship Standards Monthly Learning Lesson for May is available online at http://www.4hhorse.umd.edu/activities/Monthly%20Learning%20Lessons.html

This month’s topic is Riding and Conditioning including getting your horse fit for a particular discipline, riding/suppling exercises, riding clinics, and riding tests/patterns.

It is that time again! The Maryland State Fair will be coming up and we are looking for 4-H youth who would like to work at the State Fair. Please advertise this opportunity to senior 4-Hers. Below are the needed application materials due back to Linda Garner by July 15^th.
See you at the Fair!

2011 MSF Youth Worker Application

2011 MSF Youth Worker Position Description

2011 MSF Youth Letter of Reference

State Communications Contest:

Thanks so much to all for your contribution to the State 4-H Communications Contest – whether it was sending your 4-Hers – we had 22 of the 24 county/city units represented – (That’s Great - CONGRATULATIONS!!!) or whether you provided judges and especially thanks Kathy, Elaine, Kristen, Amanda, Charlene, Shante' and Ari for working all day on Maryland Day so that so many youth could showcase their speaking abilities. Thank you, Manami and all of Amanda’s Family for judging! The 2011 Program is on our Maryland 4-H website with all Champions and Reserve Champions noted. Thanks everyone!

State 4-H Team Meeting – Thanks for your active participation in the 2011 State Team Meeting in College Park this past week! I hope you agree that the more we gather – we more we build our TEAM. Thank you for your contributions to the discussion tables, your presentations in Breakout Sessions, and your participation in the Chick fil A Leadercast. We’ll be sending a link for the on-line evaluation – AND – ask for your suggestions for dates for next year – and dates to avoid – AND – I’ve already received some requests to serve on the 2012 Committee – let us know if you’re interested!

2011 Maryland Out-of-State Trips – Congratulations to our 2011 Maryland 4-H Portfolio Program participants. Each portfolio as well as the interview process provided our youth with a life skill – hopefully this experience will aid them as they prepare resumes for future careers!!! The Awards and Recognition Committee is pleased to announce the 2011 National 4-H Congress Delegation: Allegany County: Mary Harmon/ Anne Arundel County: Jason Thomas/ Baltimore County: Ashley Blum/ Calvert County: Sarah Manning/ Carroll County: Samantha Anthony, Brandon Kahler and Hannah Wolf/ Cecil County: Erica Sprout/ Charles County: Rebecca Creighton/ Garrett County: Levi Lantz/ Harford County: Brooke Sexton/ Howard County: Shailin O’Connell / Kent County: Brittany Kirby/ Montgomery County: Samantha Brown, Seth Lauer/ Queen Anne’s County: Julia King/ St. Mary’s County: Shelby Sasscer/ Somerset County: Joseph Haymaker/ Talbot County: Jessica Lantz/ Washington County: Rachel House/ Wicomico County: Kyle Barga. Congratulations !!!

Camp Miniwanca: Aaron Lantz, Garrett County and Lindsey Graudin, Talbot County.

West Virginia Older Members 4-H Camp: Mikail Perrine, Garrett County and Andrew Debnum, Kent County.

Virginia 4-H Congress: Jennifer Malkus, Harford County and Kathryn Franc, Carroll County.

Congratulations to all!!! The announcement letters to the youth and acceptance forms are in the mail!

The 3rd annual Maryland 4-H Livestock Round-Up will be held July 5-7, 2011 at the Frederick County 4-H Camp and Activity Center, Frederick, Maryland for 4-H youth, ages 8-18.

Round-Up is being planned by a committee of 4-H members from across Maryland and will feature workshops on Beef, Dairy, Goats, Sheep and Swine; field trips to animal-related businesses; bowling; a Barnyard Olympics; a Junior Stockman’s Event; camp recreation activities; and a Round-Up BBQ.

Registration is limited to the first 80 youth to register. Registrations will not be accepted after June 15, 2011. The registration fee is $125.00. Registration information is available on the Maryland 4-H website at http://www.maryland4h.org/ . Contact Chris Anderson at canders2@umd.edu for more information.

We are having our 30^th Annual Golf Tournament in memory of Martin K. Hoff, register today to reserve your spot today. The tournament is on June 6, 2011 at Oakmont Green in Hampstead, MD. Its $125.00 for a foursome, 18 holes, lunch, dinner and more included. Come help us celebrate 30 years! Click Here for flyer and more information.

The 2011 Maryland 4-H Scholarship application is now available.

Click Here to get more information and application or visit www.mymaryland4hfoundation.com

Come one, come call to the Maryland 4-H Day at Camden Yards Sunday July 24, 2011! Tickets are only $13 and are located behind home plate and down first base line. Bus parking permits are available for group travel. Help us reach our goal of 1,500 4-H Friends. Youth 14 and under get to run the bases after the ball game!

Questions? See flyer for more information. Reserve your tickets for you, your family and all your friends today!