7th graders!!!! 4H exchange information

[Grades 7-8*] April 6-11: 2017 4-H Urban-to-Rural Exchange Program

Registration will open soon for Multnomah/Portland 4-H's Urban-to-Rural Exchange Program for 7th grade students. (*Some years there is space for 8th graders, though 7th graders have priority.) This is the 11th year of this program, which allows middle school youth to walk a mile in the boots of those across the urban-rural divide and, through the process, gain a deeper understanding of the environmental, social and economic issues from both an urban and rural perspective.

This year, Oregon State University Extension and Portland 4-H is offering this exchange program to members of the Urban-Rural Exchange 4-H Club, which will be open to all of our 4-H 7th graders from around the city. Students sign up for a series of workshops and training, beginning December 11. The Club will meet on three more Sundays prior to the travel dates (April 6-11) and then for a debrief and fair preparation meeting in May, following travel.

Consider this chance for your student to live and work alongside a rural Oregon 4-H family for six days and five nights. Visit our website for more information, dates and requirements. When registration opens, a link will be included in the Messenger—so stay tuned!

This program was featured on OPB's Oregon Field Guide years ago Crossing the Urban-Rural Divide. OPB will be airing an update to that original program next week, Thursday, October 27.

Learn more about the program by visiting our website or by contacting Courtney Lobo at 971-361-9629 or courtney.lobo@oregonstate.edu.

4-H SES Partner School news

Welcome, Sunnyside Families, to a new 4-H year! Many of you know that SES is a 4-H Partner School, which means that SES kids have the opportunity to participate in programs only available through our Partner Schools. Such programs include: Fish Stewards (Salmon in the Classroom and Pacific Lamprey in the Classroom), Urban Rural Exchange, Incredible Egg and many others.

Upcoming 4-H programs and events include:

• [Adults] Volunteer and new leader orientation: We are scheduling one more leader training in October, date TBD. Contact Courtney if you are interested. 4-H is always looking for volunteers to lead after school clubs, our Portland Community Club (more information below) and for chaperones for the Urban Rural Exchange in April, 2017.
   
• [Grade 7] Urban-Rural Exchange: Last year, 22 students from Sunnyside traveled to Eastern Oregon to live with rural families for 6-days, immersing themselves in the lifestyles of their host families. This is the 11th year of this program at SES, and we are excited to announce that this year we will be opening up the program to our other partner schools. In addition, students who wish to participate will have the opportunity to come together throughout the fall and winter to learn and prepare for the Exchange in April. These mandatory meetings will begin in December. They will be led by a team of 4-H exchange program champions: Jan Zuckerman (one of the founders of this program, as well as of the Environmental Middle School), Indigo Corwin (SES teacher and Exchange chaperon), 4-H staff and others. For more information about the Urban-Rural Exchange, please visit our website. And stay tuned to the Messenger. And email Courtney to sign up for our e-newsletter for updates and deadlines.
   
• [Grades K-8] Update: The kickoff of the Portland 4-H Club was a great success, with more than 70 people attending! It’s not too late to join; the next meeting will be Sunday, November 13, 3-5pm at the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church (2828 SE Stephens). This will be a 4-H Community Club, which will be organized into groups based on age and interest. We will meet on the second Sunday of each month for the general meeting; if there is a group of youth interested in a particular project, that group may choose to meet more frequently. Based on interest at the first meeting, we will offer the following projects:  rabbits, chickens, beekeeping, woodworking, urban farming and animals, fiber arts, photography and guinea pigs. If you have a skill, a passion or an art that you'd like to share with youth in your community, check out our website and learn how you can volunteer to lead a project.

The best way to stay informed about 4-H events, clubs and programs is to sign up for our e-newsletter. Please email Courtney to sign up.