Cape May County 4-H Grows Great Kids

COURT HOUSE – Cape May County 4-H Agent Julie Karavan has been transferred to Cumberland County 4-H effective Nov. 4. Karavan, a Cape May County 4-H volunteer club leader and 4-H parent, joined the Rutgers faculty as County 4-H Agent in June of 2012. The change in assignment is one of geography, not programmatic focus.
In the past eighteen months, the junior faculty member has reinstated lapsed 4-H programs, developed new partnerships and introduced new initiatives. With an emphasis on diversifying the 4-H program and increasing impact throughout the county, Karavan partnered with schools, libraries and parks.
Karavan established the first “Junior Outstanding 4-H’er” award in the county and established policies regarding youth awards designed to preserve positive experiences for youth competing in the county program. Support was also offered to adult 4-H leaders. In conjunction with the 4-H Program Advisory Council, Karavan initiated a mini-grant program to provide financial support to established Cape May County 4-H clubs.
“Many of the programs and initiatives of the past 18 months are sustainable and replicable, which is in keeping with the extension model” explains Karavan, “I hope to see initiatives like Legopalooza, Seaperch , World Water Monitoring Challenge, mini-grants and the 4-H Fair T-Shirt continue to flourish in Cape May and find new roots in other counties as well.”
Working in partnership with the Cape May County Library, Karavan launched a new recruitment event, “Legopalooza” which packed the 4-H Lockwood Youth Center in February 2013. In May, 75 Cape May County school children enjoyed the 4-H World Water Monitoring Challenge, a free environmental education field trip Karavan presented in partnership with Belleplain State Forest.
As 4-H Club leader for the CyberExplorers, Karavan fielded two successful Cape May County teams to the 2013 Greater Philadelphia Seaperch Challenge; an underwater robotics competition held annually at Drexel University. The CyberExplorers High School Team received the award for overall champion, as well as design process – a first in the history of the Seaperch competition.
Karavan recruited new members to the 4-H Foundation Board, securing three new members from the local business community in 2013. New 4-H Foundation Member Carolinn Pocher-Woody of CPW Communications established a website, cmc4h.com, to promote and support the county 4-H program. With Karavan’s guidance, 4-H Foundation also instituted the 2013 4-H Fair T-Shirt which served as a sponsorship vehicle for the annual county event.
Most recently, Karavan collaborated with her extension colleagues to produce a Farm to Table RCE Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, hosted by 4-H Foundation member Barbara Wilde at Willow Creek Winery. “Volunteers are the heart of the 4-H program and vital to the work of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. With their continued commitment and the support of the university and the county, Cape May County 4-H will always flourish. I look forward to continuing my extension practice in Cumberland County. ” offers Karavan.
The state 4-H office will continue to support the 4-H program in Cape May. Information on Cape May County 4-H events and programs can be found on the 4-H foundation website; cmc4h.com, or by calling the 4-H office (609)465-5115 ext 605.