Upcoming Events
Morris County 4-H Events + Deadlines:
Promote 4-H at local events
4-H will have a table or booth at many events in Morris County in the coming month. All 4-H families are invited to participate (talk to visitors about 4-H and your club, offer an activity, hand out flyers, bring your friendly animal - if permitted at the event, and help with the set-up and take-down). It is a lot of fun! Please contact the group if you would like to be included: mc4hpromotions@gmail.com. Or simply support 4-H and the event by visiting and stopping by at the 4-H table to say Hi.
Spring Blossom Festival at Riamede Farms - May 4, 10-4
4-H Star Wars Event at Jefferson Township Library - May 18, 11-2
Juneteenth Celebration, Meeker St. Pavilion in Succasunna - June 8, 1-3
Saturday, May 11 @ CCM (Registration closes May 3rd)
All members are invited to give a presentation at the Morris County 4-H Public Presentation Day on May 11th at CCM. Public presentations are a big part of the 4-H experience. The topic can be on pretty much ANYTHING you are passionate about. It could be something you already did for school or or other group, or something you want to learn about. Maybe a demonstration about your hobby, your pet, favorite food, a performance, or an illustrated talk about your favorite topic. Members in grades 8-12 who receive an excellent score at their county Public Presentation qualify to participate at the State Public Presentations event (see below).
There is a Morris County 4-H video with tips for a successful presentation plus a NJ 4-H document with helpful hints. Get more details on the Club Resource Page.
2023
Fair Theme
by Adam D. of the Plants, Pollinators, and Poultry
4-H Club
May 15, 2024 - deadline to submit
Calling all 4-H members! Turn your love of 4-H into a 4-H Fair Theme!
More information on the Fair Page: https://www.morris4h.org/4-h-fair
Deadline is March 15. Send submissions to morris4h@njaes.rutgers.edu to be considered in the contest.
The winning theme will be highlighted all over the Fair, used by clubs in their club display, and more. See past years' Fair theme examples on the Fair Page: https://www.morris4h.org/4-h-fair to get your started. We can't wait to see all your theme entries!
State 4-H Public Presentations
June 7 - video submissions deadline
June 8 - in-person presentations at Rutgers
4-H members in grades 8-13 (one year out of high school) who have earned a blue ribbon or excellent score for their public presentation on the county level qualify to attend the State 4-H Public Presentations. The Morris County 4-H Public Presentations will be held on May 11 at CCM. See the post above for details.
This year, eligible youth have two options for participating in the State Public Presentations:
Option 1: In-person Contest
Rutgers Academic Building at Rutgers University on
Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Participants in this option will be split into classrooms with about 6-8 other presenters and two judges.
Option 2: Recorded Video Contest
Submission deadline for a recorded presentation video is
Friday, June 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Recorded video presentations will be evaluated by a team of judges after submission.
See details at https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/comm/publicpres/). We encourage all to participate in the option that works best for them.
Hatchery Tour & Fishing Day
Event: Saturday, June 8, 2024, 8am-1:30pm
Waitlist spots available
This opportunity is provided by the local Muskies Inc chapter. Ten participants from 4-H, along with 15 others, and their parents will get a tour and fishing experience at the Hackettstown State Hatchery on Saturday, June 8th. Each child will take a fishing rod and tackle box home. The $10 fee is payable directly to the Muskies group.
The Hatchery Tour & Fishing Day includes:
1 hour tour of the hatchery
1 hour classroom (information about fish, our streams and rivers and how to help keep them clean)
about 2 hours fishing at the hatchery ponds with volunteers to help with the rods, worms, fish, etc.
pizza lunch (kids with dietary restrictions should bring their own lunch)
fishing rod and tackle box to take home
Best for kids ages 10-15 (9-18 is good too).
Registration is full but you can be added to the waitlist here: https://forms.gle/kYVAfDpTPLTwoUF36
Details on how to make the non-refundable donation of $10 per child to the Muskies Inc chapter to reserve your spot will be emailed once you register. Participants and their parent/guardian will meet directly at the Hackettstown State Hatchery - this is not a drop-off event.
July 26-28, 2024
At High View Farms in Mt Olive
Mark your calendars!
Our Fair Page will have all the updates in the coming months:
You can start thinking of what you would like to enter in the Fair. There are soooo many options: art, science, crafts, creative writing, horticulture, food, knitting/crocheting, photography, clothing/textile, digital,... and of course there are the animal shows, talent show, and quiz bowls.
If you think of wonderful sponsors who would like to support our Fair and 4-H, please send them this way: morris4h.org/4-h-fair/fair-sponsorship
Other 4-H Events and More:
Put Your Imagination in Action at Rutgers Day 2024
April 27, 2024
4-H members are invited to put their Imagination in Action with Expressive Arts 4-H on Rutgers Day, Saturday, April 27th anytime between 10AM and 4PM on the Rutgers New Brunswick College Avenue campus, Voorhees Mall. All 4-Hers are invited to share their talents in visual, performing and media arts through this non-competitive event. Individual and group entries are welcome. Entries can be displayed if you can’t attend. Use this link to find all the documents you need to register. All 4-H'ers submitting entries need to complete the registration form; however, only those attending Rutgers Day need to complete the permission form. Deadline for registration was April 18th. For more information or questions contact williams@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Rutgers Day
April 27, 2024
Mark Your Calendar: Rutgers Day is set for Saturday, April 27, 2024, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on the Busch Campus in Piscataway and the College Avenue and Cook/Douglass campuses in New Brunswick. Get ready for the ultimate celebration of everything Rutgers!
Learn More About Rutgers Day here: https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu/rutgers-day
Backyard Farmers Convention in Monmouth County
April 27, 2024
The Backyard Farmers Convention will be held on April 27, 2024 at the Winter Run Activity Center, 270 Southard Avenue in Farmingdale. The program runs from 12-3 and is for all youth interested in the care of cows, goats, chickens, small animals, and pollinators! Learn from experienced farmers, veterinarians, and more. Register here: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6M5Kqby7TiOnwa2.
Sundays from 4-5pm (April 28th - May 19th)
Grades: 6+
Learn more about dogs in this 4-part seminar series is available via Zoom. It's free and open to all 4-H members in grades 6 and up.
Registration: https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvcO6rqzsqG9EXk0ACNPTRr3-fGgGllRDd
This seminar series will explore some of the amazing abilities, histories, and jobs of our canine companions. Each session will explore a specific topic related to dog care, behavior, history, and current events.
May 4, 2024
Do you love model horses? Want to find out more about them, make new friends, laugh, and tell stories? Great! You're in the right stable!
Attend the 4-H Open Model Horse Tack Sale, Swap Meet, and Clinic on May 4 where you can see model horses, share, sell, swap, and much more--anything model horse related. Tables are available at $10 each. Clinicians will be on hand to answer your questions.
See flyer for details.
South Jersey 4-H Teen Conference
May 4, 2024 - Event Date
Where: Winter Run Activity Center, 270 Southard Rd., Farmingdale, NJ
The South Jersey 4-H Teen Conference is open to all 4-H members in grades 7-13 across the state. Planned and conducted through a youth-adult partnership, the conference will provide an opportunity for teens to broaden their circle of friends, learn new skills, and have fun.
Teens from across NJ will enjoy activities that support this year's theme of "Blooming Leaders - Planting Seeds for the Future." Activities will include yoga, guided painting, a boat ride, nature scavenger hunt and photography, plus plenty of opportunities to meet new friends.
This event will take place rain or shine on May 4, 2024. For more details visit: https://nj4h.rutgers.edu/leadership/south-jersey-teen-conference/
Registration was due April 8, 2024.
Until May 15, 2024
Everyone is invited to join the 2024 Personal Bioblitz between March 1 and May 15 by exploring and reporting any wild or naturalized organisms you see in your everyday life. We are doing this for the 11th year and it is not too late to join in for the first time. It is easy and fun!
Find out more and sign up for free here:
2024 Project Webpage: http://tinyurl.com/PBinfo2024
About the Personal Bioblitz: http://tinyurl.com/RUPBabout
4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens Open House
Saturday, May 18, 2024
4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens is hosting an open house May 18th to celebrate the second season of our new day camp program.
The event will include Program Tours of our new 4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens Day Camp and a meet and greet with some of our summer staff as they lead some sample games and activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to make some eco-art, pot your own plant, and play some outdoor games. We’ll also have an info station for our classic overnight 4-H Camp in Stokes State Forest.
We hope to see you on May 18th to learn more about how campers will be spending their days at 4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens, and to enjoy a spring day together.
Meet us at the Log Cabin/Pavilion which will be serving as “Camp Central” once again for our Summer season.
Rutgers Gardens, 112 Log Cabin Road, North Brunswick Township, NJ, 08902
Invitational 4-H Rabbit Show "Fun in the Sun"
Saturday, May 18, 2024
All 4-H members in grades K-13 are invited to join the Salem County Rabbit Rocketeers 4-H Club at the all-day 4-H Rabbit Show "Fun in the Sun" on Saturday, May 18 at the Salem County 4-H office, 51 Cheney Rd., Woodstown, NJ 08089.
More details including the registration form, schedule, rules, and fees can be found in the show package:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15FP5mRhWiSb7ncSg_1GpqUBlRaIVVefm/view?usp=drive_link
National 4-H trip: Citizenship Washington Focus
Event dates: June 20-27, 2024 (applications were due March 8)
Grades 9-12
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is National 4-H Council’s premier leadership and civic engagement experience held each summer in the Washington, DC area. It is a week-long event (Thursday - Thursday) for 4-H members in grades 9-12 (14-19 years old). The program is based on the principle that democracy requires skills and strategies that must be learned and practiced, and it teaches participants to be active, responsible citizens and leaders. The program utilizes Washington, DC as a working classroom to learn about the government, citizenship and civic engagement and provides hands-on opportunities for our teens to promote “Better Citizens Today, Better Leaders Tomorrow." Applications were due by March 8.
Spring Archery Day Event in Somerset County
June 22, 2024 (register now)
4-H members enrolled in a NJ 4-H Shooting sports club
The On Target Archery Club of Somerset County will be holding its annual Spring Archery Day on June 22. The event will take place at the Ted Blum 4-H Center in Bridgewater. Any 4-H member currently enrolled in a NJ 4-H shooting sports club may participate. There will be two events.
Archery Golf in the morning.
Link to Archery Golf Spring Open Flyer/RegistrationRange Shoot in the afternoon:
Link to Open Range Shoot Flyer/Registration
Participants need to register for each event separately if they plan to do both. Any questions: email 4hontargetarcheryclub@gmail.com
July, 2024 (register now)
Ages 6-14
Rutgers Gardens and The New Jersey 4-H Camp are excited to announce their collaboration on 4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens is returning for a second summer in July 2024.
This summer we are expanding to serve youth ages 6-14. This program will once again combine the social/emotional learning of 4-H Camp’s friendly, communal, tech-free experience with the beautiful environment and educational opportunities of Rutgers Gardens. Campers will bond with their “cabins” throughout the week, as they enjoy a unique mixture of hands-on outdoor education and carefree games played outside.
More information as well as a video can be found here: https://nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu/gardens.html.
Open - register now
Youth in grades 4+
Registration open for both:
Our 74th summer at L.G. Cook 4-H Camp, New Jersey 4-H’s overnight summer camp in beautiful Stokes State Forest. Join our caring, tech-free community for a one-week sleepaway session in July or our BIG 18 day session in August … AND …
Our 2nd summer at 4-H Camp at Rutgers Gardens, our brand-new day camp program combining the social-emotional learning of 4-H Camp’s friendly, communal experience with the educational opportunities of Rutgers Gardens.
Watch this video to find out more about the Rutgers Gardens 4-H Summer Day Camp: https://youtu.be/wsDQm2DcHO8?si=62qmBT4ejHmWzbMt
Sign-up for either or both before December 31st to take advantage of our Early “Polar Bear” Registration Period. The 4-H discount is available to all 4-H members. More details and online registration at nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu! Call 973-948-3550 to reach the Camp Office with any and all questions.
NJ State 4-H Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, & Poultry Show
September 14, 2024
Save the Date! The NJ State 4-H Rabbit, Cavy, Small Animal, Herpetology, & Poultry Show will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Mercer County Extension Office at 1440 Parkside Ave, in Ewing, NJ.
September 27-29, 2024
All 4-H Volunteers
Put this date on your calendar NOW! Are you interested in attending the Volunteer Retreat Weekend at 4-H Camp? If yes, please take a couple of minutes to complete this very short (only 6 questions) interest survey to help us plan for the weekend! https://go.rutgers.edu/VolRetreatInterest. Registration information and schedule will be sent to all volunteers soon! You will be able to meet volunteers around the state, take part in fun, interactive workshops and enjoy some quality time at our 4-H camp. More details coming soon! If you want more information on the camp itself, visit www.nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu.
NJ State 4-H Avian Bowl
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Save the Date! The NJ State 4-H Avian Bowl will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Hunterdon County Divisions of Senior Disabilities and Veterans Services at 4 Gauntt Place in Flemington NJ.
Not a 4-H member yet?
Visit the 4-H Clubs page to see what is available - then email or call the 4-H office to get connected with the club leaders and get you started. You can try a club meeting to see if it is the right fit for you before you enroll. Email: morris4h@njaes.rutgers.edu, Phone: 973-285-8301
Find out more about the many ways to get involved and support 4-H on our "Support 4-H Page". Or click on the button below and make a tax-deductible donation to the Morris County 4-H Association. Don't forget to write your name or that of your organization in the comments so we know who to thank! We appreciate your support!