An Exiting Time

Hello Pennsylvania 4-H,
Greetings from southern Schuylkill county. August has come and gone, it was a really rewarding month for me. It doesn't seem that long ago I exhibited at our county fair where I had exhibited numerous projects. This year, I exhibited market meat pen of rabbits, and breeding rabbits for 4-H. My meat pen won third place.  I took best of show with my breeding rabbits. At our fair I also exhibited Honey Bees and three tractors and competed in the tractor pull with one of them. That following week was State Days where we got inducted in to the State council. Since then we attended Ag Progress Days in Rock Springs promoting 4-H. With September to be just as exiting, and just around the corner, I will be exhibiting and attending some more up coming fairs hope to see you there.
Yours truly,
Brendin Freeman

Hello Pennsylvania!

Hello Pennsylvania!

Wow!  August has been an extraordinary month!  It’s hard to believe how fast it has gone by.  At this rate it will be July 2014 before I know it! 

Back in January I told my mom that I wanted to apply for 4-H State Council.  We looked at what I would need to do to apply, and what it would involve if I was selected.   She has been very supportive and believes I can do whatever I set my mind to do. 

4-H State Achievement Days was a busy 3 days, followed by 3 days at Ag Progress Days and three days at State Council Training and Orientation.  We’ve learned so much already, I can’t wait to put it to use.   

Perry County Fair was also part of my whirlwind month.  I exhibited 2 craft projects, Meat Pen Rabbits, Market Goats and Dairy Goats.  My dairy goats were awarded 4-H & Open Grand Champion Alpine,  4-H Open Reserve Grand Champion Alpine and 4-H Reserve Grand Champion Recorded Grade awards. 

September promises to be just as busy!  I will be starting my Junior year with the Commonwealth Connection Academy, attending two more fairs and my various club meetings!

Hope everyone is enjoying being back to school!

H Wyett Johnson

The Start of Something New

Hello Pennsylvania 4-H!

This is Kaitlin Rogers, your new Vice President of Events signing on.

If there is not already enough going on in a teenager's life during the summer, we always seem to pile on something more. Between fairs and the start of the school year, I attended an amazing weekend of council training. It was long and tiring, but extremely worth the energy. The council team met so many great people that will make our year one to remember.

If the excitement of Pennsylvania 4-H State Council is not enough, I start my senior year on Tuesday. All I can say is wow. It has truly been a journey and I'm scared to leave. You would think by your last year of high school you would be prepared for the first day of school and all that follows, but no I'm not. From what to wear, to... do I have classes with anyone? Millions of thoughts are running through my brain. I think I am already regretting signing up for so many difficult classes.

I'm so excited to journey through this year with an amazing family of council members who are always there for me. This year is going to be the best year of my life by far, so I intend to keep all the followers updated.

Good luck to all starting school!
Sincerely,
Kaitlin Rogers

One Down, 179 More to Go!

Hello Everyone,

Yep, that's right, school started today for me. New shoes, new school supplies, and of course new clothes I started my junior year off in style. It is always nerve racking for me the first day. Where am I going to sit? Who do I have lunch with? For me, with a last name that starts with A, I always end up sitting right in front of the teacher's desk. So yes, you could say I end up being the good little girl every year. Well lunch that is a whole different story. The three musketeers were reunited this year. Three musketeers you may ask, who are they? Well, they are made up of me and my friends Makayla and Lakyn. We got this name because ever since 7th grade track season we follow each other around like lost puppies. Its going to be an amazing year with them at my side.

Also, I cannot forget to mention, that my mom got us free tickets to see a pirates a game. No biggie, we just had parking pass and where only about ten rows up from the field!!! The night before school starts, my family and I head to Pittsburgh for the game. We made it somehow, after asking an officer for directions to the red parking lot. What an embarrassment!!! It was a great game all in all, even though the pirates lost by one run. Thanks to Somerset Trust Bank for giving us the tickets!

I would like to say thank you everyone that has made this journey for me possible already. Thanks to my family for the support!

And until next time always remember to have fun no matter what you may be up to.

Sincerely,

Megan Anderson

This I Believe About State Council

During the school year I was asked to write a This I Believe Essay by my one teacher. A this I believe essay is a small, less than three minute, essay/speech which a student says talking about one of their many beliefs ranging from religion to personal opinions about matters. For my This I Believe Essay I talked about my experiences from being on State Council.

Lessons from a Team of Teens

I remember the first time I met my State 4-H Council team members. It was at the final state 4-H event of the year, State Achievement Days. I do not know what my advisor was thinking when she told eight teenagers, who did not know each other, to find each other in a crowd of hundreds of 4-H teenagers. Somehow all eight of us found each other; and the first thing we each did was … fight. We fought over who was better, who was our leader, who was the tallest. I do not lie when I say that at first, I did not like any of my team members. Yet after eight months with them, I realize how all seven of my team members have become some of my closest friends.

I have discovered a new belief: the belief is in the power of friendship and its influence on a person’s life. The power of friendship provided me a sense of belonging amongst my team members. This belonging resulted from the unconditional support we gave each other in friendship. Though we may get annoyed by each other, our disagreements are always resolved peacefully later. My team mates have become a form of second family.

The power of friendship also provided me a way to contribute in my team by identifying my role on the team. When we began as a team, I wanted to be the sole leader. In 4-H, people have looked to me, to get a job done, to advise a younger team member, and to lead if necessary. I became a leader neither by choice nor ability, but by necessity. I naturally stepped up like the young fool I was, and still am at times. But when I faced my team members I realized that I was one leader amongst eight. I realized that all of us couldn’t be the leader (in the definition sense) but could be leaders in other aspects. I found my way to contribute through the friendships I made. I became the "father" to my team, talking any of us down, raising any of us up, or being the one who thinks a bit more sometimes. I defended the team by blaming no one. I grew to trust my team through the friendships I found in them as they grew to accept me as a sort of fatherly figure in my leadership style that suited me the best.

 

Friendship gave each of us willingness to support one and other. When one of us is upset we reach out to each other for feedback, support, and advice. My one team member John is from Erie County which is the other side of the state and we text regularly sometimes about silly nonsense other times about genuine concerns we have about things happening in our sides of the state. Friendship allows us to talk with each other in such a way that we have become better team members.

 

Another team member who surprises me as a friend is Dawn. Dawn is the kind of girl who enjoys the spotlight and her favorite accessory at age 17 is still glitter. She has helped me laugh at crazy events and is a friend I never expected yet needed. She approaches things with a sense of honesty and warmth. As a team member and a friend she has taught me one of the most important lessons in friendship I could have learned; it doesn’t matter which team member it is because of our friendship we need each other.

The power of our friendship built this team. When we began together there were doubts that we would succeed with such numbers but now as I look back I realize that the power of friendship can also build teams. I believe in the power of friendship.

4-H Camping 4-H Life

This year marked my final year as a 4-H Camp Counselor. At 4-H Camp I have learned valuable lessons and have seen those same lessons learned by my campers.

I still remember my first year in the woods of Hickory Run State Park at 4-H Camp Shehaqua. I still remember the counselors cheering as we got off the bus and I remember not understanding what it meant to be in the "deer animal group." I still remember dragging my duffle bag of clothing into Unit 4 Junior Boys Camping Area.

Being a camper I learned to be independent. I had been out in the woods before, but never without my family or, for that matter, overnight. At camp I made my own bed every day because we wanted to win the clean cabin award every time - competition is always a good motivator. As a camper I met 4-Hers from eight different counties and made lifelong friends. Camp provided me with an opportunity to meet 4-Hers from different project areas and 4-Hers with different backgrounds. Some nights we stayed up late telling ghost stories. Other nights we talked to first year campers about the awesome activities that were scheduled for the next day. I learned to trust older 4-Hers who I looked up to as a camper and as a counselor.

I also got to better understand nature knee deep in the stream trying to catch crawfish and determine if it is healthy. Something like a mouse living near you might be a pest in your own home but here in camp, it's part of life. Animals are a common sight in the woods and for many campers this can be a once in a life time event. Wildlife can be intimidating but also very wondrous to young campers. Campers are allowed to explore the wilderness supervised by trained counselors and staff to ensure that they don’t wander from the trail or ensure they stay at a safe distance from the wildlife which can include deer, turkeys, and even bears.

Since my first year in camp I have worn the nickname "George of the Jungle" as a badge of honor. The ropes course is a personal challenge course where each portion of the course is attempted solo with the cheering support of staff, counselors, and fellow campers. These challenges are intended to help campers prepare themselves to face future challenges. The ropes course gets the campers in the mindset that they can overcome any challenge. Here you try to do better than your best on the course. For me the ropes course took a small boy and helped him over come his fear of heights.

At fourteen years old, I became a 4-H Camp Counselor. Most other youth camps have college students as their counselors, but in 4-H older teenagers get the opportunity to serve as Camp Counselors. Being a 4-H Camp Counselor is a huge responsibility. I realized quickly how to care for younger kids by ensuring that they got up on time, got to where they have to be, and were eating properly. I learned how to deal with homesickness and other fears that my campers might be experiencing. I began to treat my campers like younger siblings and made sure that they were okay and that they continued to have the best camping experience of their lives. I began to value knowing every single classic camp song because the campers love every song that they hear. I quickly realized that these younger campers wanted to be just like me; how I acted in front of the younger campers really matters. I began to see the importance of training prior to camp; I was entrusted with these younger 4-Hers safety.

Older 4-Hers learn valuable teambuilding skills as counselors at 4-H Residential Camp. They attend trainings throughout the year where they get to bond together as a group and begin to realize what others' strengths and weaknesses are. Some teens will quickly become leaders and others will become supporters. Camp gives older 4-Hers that edge when it comes to being part of a team by training them to be team players, able to work with people that they might not even know. New counselors replace older counselors, changing the team constantly at camp. The teambuilding skills that counselors gain help them get comfortable with each other fast and enable them to ensure the camp's success.
My favorite memories of my first year as a counselor are of those campers. I can still hear the Junior Boys marching to the ropes course with a buddy to the camp song I selected, The Moose Song; no one expected the Junior Boys to listen so respectfully to their young counselor. Then my second year as a counselor my returning campers requested to be in my animal group again. My campers have changed my life - suddenly I loved kids and I knew I had to go back.

My first camp counselor telling me, "I was once a normal teenager, then I became a 4-H Camp Counselor" rings in my ears when I think about all of the lessons I have learned. I was once a normal teenager, but know I have been changed for the better. I have worked with some of the best people in the world which include staff and counselors which will forever be some of my closest friends. I have seen young campers who started when I was just a first year counselor grow into what will be some of the finest counselors I have ever seen. I have made connections with fellow 4-Hers from around the state with just one word, CAMP. 4-H camping is in my opinion where 4-Hers grow up in a weeks time. I have seen it occur repeatedly and I hope that 4-H camping must always be a part of the Pennsylvania 4-H experience.

Not the End; Rather a New Beginning!

Here it is- the month that I have been counting down to and dreading at the same time. August 2013 is going to be an unforgettable roller coaster of a month. I have been counting down to the day when I move into Penn State at the end of this month but on the other hand, I have been in denial that this month is the end of my term serving as your Pennsylvania State Council Secretary. It has been an incredible year on State Council.

At the beginning of my term, I figured it would be rewarding experience, but I truly never imagined it would have been as thrilling as it was and I don’t want it to end now. I am not exaggerating when I say that this one year term on State Council changed my life. I learned a lot about 4-H and the agriculture industry but I also learned a lot about myself and I grew as a person. The connections that State Council gave me and the exposure to the different sides of the agriculture industry even helped me find a career path that interests me. Finishing off the year with an exciting trip across the country to California 4-H’s State Leadership Conference was like the cherry on top of a perfect sundae.

Thank you, Pennsylvania 4-H, for giving me this amazing opportunity to represent this organization that I love so much. I am incredibly blessed to have been able to share my passion with people across the commonwealth for the past year. Though I am sad to have to pass along my duties as State Council Secretary, I know I will never be far from Pennsylvania 4-H as I move into my future life chapter as a Penn State student.

Sincerely,
Cecilia Stuetz
Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Secretary

"Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin. And there are many things that don't really end, anyway, they just begin again in a new way. Ends are not bad and many ends aren't really an ending; some things are never-ending."

Today is the Youngest We'll Ever Be

Hello Everyone,

I never thought that I would be doing this...my last and final state council blog. It is sad, but I have had one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I know that everyone says it changes your life, but it really has changed my life. Not only the experience, but all of the people I've met have had an impact on my life. I love all of my council members like family and I now have three brothers and four more sisters. I will willing say that I never quite understood the meaning of council before I was on it, but it is all crystal clear now. The memories that I have made with the 2012-2013 State Council Team will forever be in my heart. Not only has 4-H been an amazing experience, but this just made it better!

All of our state events have been amazing and I can't wait for State Achievement Days! I hope that everyone participates in as many events or opportunities that are provided to them in their life because they are what molds you into the people that you are. Every 4-H event that I have ever attended has only made me a better person. I also encourage everyone to apply for state council!!

Anyway, a few of your Pennsylvania State Council officers had the amazing experience to attend California's State Leadership Conference. It was one of, if not the best, parts of my summer. I got to meet so many great and amazing people and had a wonderful time. I would gladly live there, but that would mean that I would have to leave this amazing state and 4-H program, which I do NOT want to do! On our trip to California we had many great experiences and opportunities and it was a great way to end my year on council. I am forever grateful for everyone that has helped me with my state council journey, I couldn't thank you enough. Also a huge shout out to my family, friends, council family, and advisors! Everyone was extremely helpful and I love you all! Good luck to all of the councils to come and thank you to all of the past councils as well!

Live every moment like it's your last and never regret anything that you've done. Learn from your mistakes and take chances in order to become a better person. And always remember, you are never going to be as young as you are today.

Forever and Always,
Dawn Craft
2012-2013 Pennsylvania State 4-H Council - Vice President of Operations

What an experience

 It's hard to believe that this will be my last blog for the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council.  It's a bittersweet moment in life.  This moment lets me know that I am continuing to grow and to becoming an adult.   Unfortunately in order to become the adult that I want to become I need to be able to change my life once again.

Last year at this time I was hoping to be a part the Pennsylvania 4-H State Council so I would be able to grow as a leader and a better 4-Her.  With out a doubt the State Council program did not disappoint.  I was able to grow as a leader, 4-Her, and as a person witch will greatly help me in college and later in life.  This Will be an experience that I will always remember.  I would recommend joining State Council to anyone who love the 4-H program and is willing to commit, it is an amazing opportunity.