A Look at Yadkin County 4-H in the Summer

In 4-H, there is always something for youth to be involved in throughout the year. However, many would agree that summertime is the most jam-packed with activities! This is because we try to take advantage of youth being out of school for the summer. At the county level we offer all sorts of free and reduced price educational programs for youth to be involved with and the state 4-H program offers other educational experiences for kids as well. Let’s take a look at some of the fun things we have already been a part of this summer in our 4-H program!

Yadkin County 4-H Summer Fun

   We have been hosting a number of Yadkin County 4-H Summer Fun since June 7th of this year. We offer our programs at a free or reduced price for the youth in our county so they can have educational experiences that are both impactful and meaningful. We have gone on educational trips such as attending the North Carolina Zoo and Hanging Rock State Park. We have learned how to cook through our many programs such as Chef and the Child. We even have explored emotional health and have done some sewing. We have learned a lot through our Summer Fun programs thus far, but we still have more to learn about! Keep up with us and our Summer Fun adventures on our Yadkin County 4-H Facebook page.

Chef and the Child participants with Chef Don Mc Millan.

4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus

   The first statewide event was 4-H Citizenship North Carolina Focus that was held on June 21st-22nd. This is a conference where delegates participate in facilitated discussions and activities related to the importance of advocacy, local government, state government, and action planning. Through various conference sessions, delegates learn from leaders across the state and from other conference attendees. This year, we were represented by Eli Bridges (14) who attended this event with Catawba County 4-H.

Eli Bridges (right hand side) with other delegates.

North Central District 4-H Activity Day

    We also started off our summer with some district wide competitions that included 20 different counties across North Carolina. On June 24th, the North Central District 4-H Activity Day was held at A&T University. This event includes three events that include 4-H Entertains, Fashion Revue, and 4-H Presentations. Yadkin County was represented in all of these competitions.

   4-H Entertains is where youth showcase their talents. The youth that were selected for this competition had to have won first or second place at the county level in order to participate. We were well represented by Elise and Gabriella Rogers performing a duet. Also, Gabriella performed a solo act by singing and playing the guitar. Both received high marks and blue ribbons for their efforts. Gabriella was selected to move onto the State Level of this event.

   In addition, we had one youth compete in the Fashion Revue. This competition is where youth show off their sewing skills by making a sewn item that they can be modeled. We were represented by Bailey Poindexter (14) who made an apron. Bailey did a great job and received third place for her apron in the 14-18 age group.

Skylar Kimmer presenting at District Activity Day.

   Lastly, but certainly not least, we were involved in 4-H Presentations. This competition is where youth choose a presentation topic and are put into age groups/categories to compete with youth around the district. We had a total of seven of our 4-H’ers in this competition. For our non competition division called Cloverbuds, we had Liam Wilbanks talk about his uromastyx. For the 8-10 age group, Henley Poindexter received Gold for her Health and Fitness Presentation. In the 11-13 age group, Lola Wilbanks received Gold for her Forestry and Wildlife Presentation,  and Rebekah Crouse  won Gold for her Food & Nutrition Presentation. In the 14-18 category, Bailey Poindexter won Silver for her Citizenship/Community Service Presentation, Reece Jones received fourth for his Forestry and Wildlife Presentation, and Skylar Kimmer received Silver for her Health and Fitness Presentation.

Yadkin County 4-H District Activity Day participants.

4-H Camp-Betsy Jeff-Penn 4-H Center

If you were able to experience camp as a child, this was most likely one of your favorite childhood memories. Camp is where youth get to learn and grow in an engaging and impactful way. At our 4-H camps, we let the kids have five full days of fun where youth get to participate in so many fun activities. Some of those activities include rock climbing, horseback riding, canoeing, archery, swimming, hiking, and more. This year, Yadkin County 4-H sent three 4-H’ers to 4-H camp on July 9th-14th. These kids had an amazing time! It is also never too early to sign up for camp, so make sure to contact us if you would like to sign up for your child for the 2024 camp year!

4-H camp goers.

North Carolina 4-H Electric Congress 

   We all love to win things, but have you ever won a free trip before? That’s exactly what our four youth did that went to the North Carolina 4-H Electric Congress this year. They conducted an electric-based project that earned them a trip to this event held at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. At this event, youth stayed on campus and participated in workshops where they learned how to make solar cars and solder, tour power plants, learn about electric energy, and more. Our county was represented at this event on July 11th-13th by Bailey Poindexter (14), Griffin Taylor (16), Reece Jones (15), Rebekah Crouse (13), and Kelly Taylor who came as the volunteer chaperone. 

NC 4-H Electric Congress you participants.

North Carolina 4-H Congress

   Another event we were involved in was North Carolina 4-H Congress. This year’s 4-H Congress, held in Raleigh July 22nd-25th, attracted more than 400 young people and their adult leaders for activities including presentations on a variety of subjects, leadership and citizenship training, service opportunities, officer elections, and more. Bryson Helton (16), Rebekah Crouse (13), and Lola Wilbanks (13) represented Yadkin County 4-H at this event. 

Lola Wilbanks presenting.

Yadkin County 4-H participants at NC 4-H Congress.

   On July 22nd, at 4-H Congress, we had five youth compete at the State Level of the 4-H Presentation competition. Our youth had to compete on the county and district levels in order to compete on this level. In the 8-10 age group, Henley Poindexter won Gold her Health and Fitness Presentation, in the 11-13 category, Rebekah Crouse won Gold on her presentation in Food and Nutrition, and in the 14-18 age group Bailey Poindexter won Gold for her Citizenship/Community Service Presentation. On July 23rd and 24th, Gabriella Rogers performed at NC 4-H Congress by showing off her singing and guitar playing skills beautifully through the songs “I See the Light” and “Part of my World.” On July 25th, Yadkin County 4-H won Best Overall Flag design with our longtime county 4-H flag. 

Gabriella Rogers performing at the NC 4-H Talent Showcase.

Yadkin County 4-H Flag.

   As you can see, we do many amazing things in 4-H. If your child would like to be a part of 4-H in Yadkin County, please feel free to contact Madaline Jones, our 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, at madaline_jones@ncsu.edu or 336-849-7908. We are an equal opportunity provider and we want to be accessible to every youth in our county that wants to be involved in our programs.