New 4-H Opportunities for Youth in Cape May County

COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program is offering exciting new opportunities for youth in kindergarten through one year out of high school this fall. Information on new and existing clubs will be available at the 4-H Club Open House scheduled for Wednesday September 25th at 6:30 pm. Interested youth and families are encouraged to attend and register for the new 4-H year.
“4-H is an opportunity for trained adult leaders to share their expertise and explore special interests with young people,” explains County agent Julie Karavan, “While 4-H clubs form throughout the year, our 4-H year begins in the Fall and now is a great time to consider establishing a club .”
4-H Leaders Amanda and Melissa Burnell invite youth who are interested in horses but may not have their own to ride to join their Leather and Lace 4-H Club. The horseless horse club will meet in Cape May Court House at the 4-H fairgrounds twice a month on Sunday afternoons. While club members will have some access to horses, there will be no riding. Emphasis will be placed on discovering the fascinating world of horses. Club Leader Amanda Burnell hopes club members will want to put their new knowledge to the test. “We will be forming a Horse Science Team from our club to compete in the New Jersey 4-H program’s three contests held each year: Horse Bowl, Hippology and Horse Judging,“ she explains. “These contests are fun and exciting and offer our youth members the chance to meet 4-H kids from all over New Jersey.”
David and Louise Sugar have a different type of animal club to offer. These 4-H leaders are starting a new 4-H club for reptiles and amphibians. The club, aptly named “Scales & Tails,” is for youth who own or have an interest in animals such as snakes, lizards, turtles and frogs. Through becoming a member of Scales & Tails, youth will learn which reptiles and amphibians are legal to own in New Jersey, which you need a state permit to own and how to properly care for them once you have them. The club will meet the first and third Friday evenings of each month at the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center on the 4-H fairgrounds.
The Shore Shooters 4-H Club is excited to welcome new leaders Kelsey Champion and Scott Cooley. The club, which meets at Fletcher’s Corner Indoor Archery Range on the last Sunday of each month, is also accepting new members. In addition to archery, the club will be expanding to include other shooting sports such as air rifle, shotgun and muzzle-loader in the future. 4-H thanks leaders Colleen and Brian Hayes for their many years of excellent and dedicated leadership of the Shore Shooters.
The 4-H Cloverbud Club, led by Marlene Conover, expects to focus on gardening projects this year and will welcome youth in both the younger Cloverbud age group ( K-3rd grade) as well as young people in 4th grade and up. Short-term special interest clubs and camps are also in the works, including Junior First Lego League teams, marine science programs, culinary workshops and offerings for homeschoolers.
4-H Program Associate Linda Horner is pleased to welcome new youth and leaders to 4-H. “Interaction with caring adults and new friends is a great way to reach the 4-H youth development program’s goals of learning life skills, leadership and citizenship. We are grateful for dedicated volunteers like Amanda, Melissa, Louise, David, Kelsey and Scott, who give of their time and expertise to improve the lives of our county’s youth. Of course we are always looking for new volunteers who have a little time and expertise to share with youth. Volunteering does not take much time and hours are completely flexible,” Horner continues.
For more information about these and other 4-H opportunities, call (609) 465-5115 ext. 605, or email mlfrandino@co.cape-may.nj.us. Also, check out 4-H at www.cmc4h.com.
4-H Youth Development Program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.