UPAWS for the Holidays!

For Christmas, the Superior Seekers and Challenge Seekers would like to collect items for the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS).   Many of the items are things you might have at home already or can be very inexpensive.

Items will be collected at the December 2nd meeting and will be delivered to UPAWS on SATURDAY December 7th around noon.  If you are interested in dropping the supplies off with other 4H members, we can meet at the Cenex gas station in Marquette and drive there as a group with our supplies. 

Here is a list of items currently needed at UPAWS—anything you can bring would be great!

Econo food receipts  (do you have any at home waiting to be used for a good cause?)

Clean old Blankets, Towels, Washcloths

Paper Towels

Hand sanitizer

Bleach

soft treats

Canned cat food (pate' style)

Trash Bags (kitchen and 30 gal. size)

Postage stamps (first class & postcard)

White copy paper

Baby food (chicken flavor only please)

Cat toys-catnip, balls, toy mice, etc.

Dog toys-stuffed, squeakers, ropes, balls

Rabbit, rat, and guinea pig food

Kong toys

Rawhide bones (made in the USA)

Laundry detergent (low sudsing)

Leashes (6-8 feet)

16-20 oz. mop heads

Nylabone dog bones - especially large sizes

Unscented regular Cat Litter-prefer Tidy Cat

Frontline Flea and Tick for dogs and cats

While donations are always appreciated, UPAWS does NOT need the following:

dry dog or cat food

Canned dog food

CRUNCHY (hard) dog treats

clumping cat litter

file folders

rubbing alcohol

masking tape

comet cleanser

liquid hand soap

index cards

Pictures from the Older Seekers hike

September 15 

North Country Trail

...kinda 
  makes you wish 
you had gone, eh?

Seney Bike and Camping Trip for 9-12

Hey younger Challenge Seekers!
Are you ready for the first camping trip of the fall?

Here's the particulars, you need to RSVP  to Kim and Kathy right away!

September 23:  5:30-6:30, Pre-trip meeting for the 2012-2013 Younger 4H group, Moosewood

            *This is a mandatory meeting for any younger 4H kids interested in the Seney trip.

           

September 28-29:  7:00. a.m. – Sunday at 3:00, Younger 4H Bike/camp trip to Seney Wildlife Refuge

            Depart Marquette: 7:00 a.m., Jack’s IGA in Harvey

            Return to Marquette: 3:00 Sunday, Jack’s IGA in Harvey

            Activities:  Biking, camping and attending the Seney Wildlife Refuge “Youth Outdoors” Program. (See http://www.fws.gov/refuge/seney/youthoutdoors.html for more info.  We will register as a group and discuss what we want to register for at our pre-trip meeting.)

            Fee:  $30.00 (includes the fee for Seney program, gas, camping fee and food for the weekend).

            Extra items to bring:  water bottle and sack lunch for Saturday.  (Gear list to follow).

Looking forward to another year of Challenge Seekers!

Hi Everyone! 

Kim and I are excited to start our fifth year as 4H Outdoor Adventure Challenge leaders.  It has been our true delight and honor to see “our kids” grow over the years in their social, outdoor, and leadership skills.  And, for those kids who are new to our 4H family, we look forward to getting to know you.  Our younger 4H group is for kids who turn 9 before our first meeting of the season, through 12 years old.  Our older 4H group is for kids who turn 12 before our first meeting of the season, through 18. Our meetings will be on the first Monday of the month at Moosewood Nature Center.  We often go outdoors during our meetings.  Please dress for the weather.

Our club utilizes Moosewood Nature Center’s building, grounds and services at no cost beyond our group membership and assistance with a fundraising event.  We encourage you to please consider joining Moosewood as a family.

Marquette County 4H info can be found at: http://marquette4h.blogspot.com/  

Any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

 Kids who are interested in joining us for trips have to meet the following requirements:

1.      Be a registered 2013-2014 4H Challenge Seeker.

2.      Have attended at least one meeting in the three months prior to the trip.

3.      Agree to our no electronics policy on 4H outings and leave their phones/electronics at home.

Parents who are interested in chaperoning overnight trips have to meet the following requirements:

1.      Completed the 4H Overnight Volunteer paperwork. (renewed each year)

2.      Received approval from the 4H Extension Office having successfully met the 4H Volunteer requirements.

3.      Enjoy being with groups of kids and comfortable living in wilderness settings.

4H Challenge Seeker Calendar

2013-1014

*Below this calendar is a more detailed list of each event.

September 23:  5:30-6:30, Pre-trip meeting for the 2012-2013 Younger 4H group, Moosewood

           

September 28-29:  7:00 Sat. a.m. – Sunday at 3:00, Younger 4H Bike/camp trip to Seney Wildlife Refuge

October 7: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                                    6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

October 9:  5:00—6:00, both groups, CLIMBING WALL, NMU PEIF

October 18: 6:00 - ? Pizza at Aubree’s and Scaregrounds, 4H Fairgrounds.

October 24,25,26 – 6:00-10:00pm – both groups, Haunted Bog Walk, Moosewood

November 4: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                        6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

December 2: Holiday party

January 6: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                 6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

January 31- February 2: Winter Camping Trip, location and times tba

****Following are the winter/spring meeting dates.  More trips will be included as we plan them.*****

February 3: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                   6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

March 3:  5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                 6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

April 7: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                 6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

May 5: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                 6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

The Details:

September 23:  5:30-6:30, Pre-trip meeting for the 2012-2013 Younger 4H group, Moosewood

            *This is a mandatory meeting for any younger 4H kids interested in the Seney trip.

           

September 28-29:  7:00. a.m. – Sunday at 3:00, Younger 4H Bike/camp trip to Seney Wildlife Refuge

            Depart Marquette: 7:00 a.m., Jack’s IGA in Harvey

            Return to Marquette: 3:00 Sunday, Jack’s IGA in Harvey

            Activities:  Biking, camping and attending the Seney Wildlife Refuge “Youth Outdoors” Program. (See http://www.fws.gov/refuge/seney/youthoutdoors.html for more info.  We will register as a group and discuss what we want to register for at our pre-trip meeting.)

            Fee:  $30.00 (includes the fee for Seney program, gas, camping fee and food for the weekend).

            Extra items to bring:  water bottle and sack lunch for Saturday.  (Gear list to follow).

October 7: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                                    6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

            *Parents required to come and fill out forms and pay the $10 yearly membership fee.

            *Agenda: Plan for the year, registration, snack sign up

October 9:  5:00—6:00, both groups, CLIMBING WALL, NMU PEIF

            *Wear long stretchy pants and closed toe shoes

October 18: 6:00 - ? Pizza at Aubree’s and Scaregrounds, 4H Fairgrounds.

            *Families welcome.  We will meet for pizza, then caravan down to the fairgrounds and go through the Scaregrounds. 

            *Fee: $5.00 for pizza and ? for Scaregrounds   

October 24,25,26 – 6:00-10:00pm – both groups, Haunted Bog Walk, Moosewood

            *We need groups of 4-6 members, one group per night, to man a “scare station” for this important Moosewood fundraiser.  We will plan the station during our meetings.  We also need an adult or two to supervise each night. 

November 4: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                        6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

            *Agenda:  ?Wilderness/Emergency Response skills

          

December 2: Holiday party

            *Agenda:  Celebrate the season together.  Details tba.

January 6: 5:30-6:30  Younger 4H (9-12yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

                 6:45-8:00  Older 4H (12-18 yrs) Meeting, Moosewood

            *Agenda: Camp cooking skills, winter camping skills

January 31- February 2: Winter Camping Trip, location and times tba

            *After 4 years of building snow shelters in wilderness locations, Kim and I would like to begin alternating years between this challenge and a less intensive winter experience.  This year we hope to reserve a cabin in which our kids could stay in case they don’t want to sleep in the quinzees.  We will also focus more on skiing and snowshoeing.  The older kids will camp Friday and Saturday nights, and the younger kids Saturday only.  We will look for a local location.

North Country Hike this Sunday

Hi all!

We are offering the older kids' day trip this Sunday. Including the kids age 12 this summer who will be joining this older group in the fall.)  We are hiking (without our backpacks) on the North Country Trail.  We will be picking up the trail at the NTN trailhead at Forestville Road and hiking through rocky outcroppings, tall pines, and beautiful country until we come out onto Wetmore Landing.  From there we will hike to Little Presque Isle.  The segments of the trail are #13, 14, and 15. (4.6 miles total).  This is a stunning section of trail just outside our door.  We hope everyone can come!

You can access the maps and more detail on the NCT website: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/nct/TrailSegments.htm.

Parents interested in chaperoning - we will need to shuttle the chaperone's cars and will work that out.

Details:

Drop off:  Noquemenon Trailhead, Forestville Road, 1:00pm

Pick up:  Little Presque Isle Parking Lot, 4;00 pm

Bring:  Water bottle, day pack with a snack, camera, dress for the weather, good hiking shoes/boots

Fee: free

RSVP: Friday, Sept. 13 via email to Kathy

Rock climbing trip Info

Hi all!  Latest details for our rock climbing trip are as follows:

Meet at the Wright's at 6:30 Friday May 24(Please have eaten supper).  

We will drive/carpool to the rock climbing site from our house.  

Climbing School - - This is when we learn the ins and outs of climbing.  Anyone coming just for the day Saturday might want to drive up and partake of this training.  Otherwise, we will clue you in before you climb.

Return to Wright's Sunday May 25 1:00  (Big Bay Folks - 510/550 corner around 12:30)

Fee: $30.00

***We are climbing with other clubs.  The lead club has a VERY strict rule against kids having phones or other electronics.  PLEASE make sure you leave yours at home.  Kim and I will have a phone in case of emergency.

** Big Bay Rock Climbing Site -Updated directions:  Follow 4th St, it turns into Presque Isle, turn left onto Wright St, then right onto County Road 550. This is the road that leads north out of Marquette towards Big Bay. Follow 550 for about 23 miles (just after you see Little Tree Cabins on the right) you will see County Road 510 on the left (maybe ¼ mile). Turn left and continue 3 miles to Triple A Road. Go 1.2 miles and veer right. (Do not go left where the gate is, continue straight) At next fork go left. The climbing site is on the right.

The updated GEAR LIST is here.  **PLEASE follow gear list.  We have lots of gear to lend.  We will not be packing our gear anywhere, so kids won't need backpacks unless they want them.  Please bring 1 gallon jug filled with water, as well as a filled water bottle to site.  Thanks!

Questions?  Ask Kathy

May news

A note from our leaders:

Hi everyone!

Due to May's hectic schedule, we have changed the older kids' meeting date to May 21 6:00-7:30, Moosewood.  This will be a whole group meeting.  We will celebrate our year with a geocache challenge, outdoor games and a special treat. Please try to attend.

Rock Climbing May 24-26.  We will be camping at the Big Bay Rock, both groups.  Kids should eat supper first, we will leave Marquette and car pool to the camping site at 6:00.  We will climb all day Saturday, camp, then Sunday we are planning to hike and picnic lunch along the Yellow Dog River.  We will return to Marquette by 1:00-1:30.  For planning purposes, we would like to know who's going.  Please rvsp to me via email (Kathy Wright).  We also need parents to help drive, as well as parents to chaperone the trip (must have 4H adult volunteer forms in before the trip).

Earth Day!

A note from Sarah Bixby:

Hi All,

Just a quick reminder April 20

SATURDAY IS EARTH DAY! (Actually, it's April 22, but we're getting a jump on it!)

Come join us at Moosewood for some fun!

The 4H Wetlands Booth will have 

Watercolor painting

Wetland games

Water Cycle Rap

A quiz with prizes!

Origami wetland critters

Join us for a bit!

And spread the word.

Pizza party!

March 22 -PEIF night 6:00-8:00. Join us for climbing on the rock wall, swimming in the pool (Kim or I will supervise the pool, open at 7:00), and general use of the building.  We will also have our PIZZA PARTY we earned from the 4H Council – for being voted club of the year!  Pizza is free, group pass for us is $5.00 per member.  We need to know who’s coming by March 21 so we can order the pizza!

Upcoming spring and summer events

Here's an overview of all that's coming up:

March 12 – 6:00-7:30  Moosewood 6pm Older kids meeting.  Bring outdoor clothes.

March 22 -PEIF night 6:00-8:00. Join us for climbing on the rock wall, swimming in the pool (Kim or I will supervise the pool, open at 7:00), and general use of the building.  We will also have our PIZZA PARTY we earned from the 4H Council – for being voted club of the year!  Pizza is free, group pass for us is $5.00 per member.  We need to know who’s coming by March 21 so we can order the pizza!

March 26 – Younger Kids meeting - 6:00-7:30  Moosewood. Bring outdoor clothes.

March 30- Econo- foods bagging!  10 am to 5 pm

We need full participation as Econo does not schedule any of their own bagging staff during that time. Econo requests 6-10 members to work the bagging shift. At least 2 adults are needed to work the door for donations and receipt collection and to thank donors.

Shifts of 3 3/4 hours, The first shift is 10:00-1:45, the second shift 1:15-5:00.

April 9 - 6:00-7:30  Moosewood – Older kids meeting.

April 18^th Expo Days Registration Due

April 20th from 12-4pm.Moosewood Nature Center - Earth Day Fair on Saturday

April 23 - 6:00-7:30  Moosewood Younger kids meeting.

April 27th 2013 U.P. Leadermete  Saturday, 10:00-4:00Holiday Inn, Marquette

-An educational experience designed for adults and youth, ages 12 and older.  -Programs are designed to meet the needs of 4-H volunteers and youth, yet anyone can participate to learn more about what 4-H offers.
-Learn new skills that you can bring back to your club and teach to others.  -Mingle with youth and adult volunteers from around the U.P.  Go to Marquette 4H Blogsite: http://marquette4h.blogspot.com to register.

May 14 - 6:00-7:30  Moosewood – Older kids meeting. Last meeting of the year.

May 24-26 - Rock Climbing at the Big Bay Rock - Combined groups. The Rimrock 4H group from downstate will once again be holding a rock climbing clinic in Big Bay.  They have been coming up for years and run an excellent youth climb.  Our club will join them for climbing and camping. Must have attended one meeting since March.  $25.00 trip fee.

May 28 - 6:00-7:30  Moosewood Younger kids meeting.  Last meeting of the year.

June 19-21: Expo Days- Lansing.  Bus leaves from Marquette.  State-wide 4H exploration days.  Michigan’s largest annual 4-H event, is designed to help students learn new ideas and techniques while exploring career options and developing decision-making, independence and teamwork skills. They also meet and interact with people from different backgrounds and areas throughout Michigan. 4-H volunteers and staff are on hand to offer oversight and guidance. Must be over 12 years old.  Registration booklets to be handed out at March 12 meeting or can be accessed at the Marquette 4H blogsite: http://marquette4h.blogspot.com.  Registration for classes due back March 18.  Scholarships available through Marquette 4H.

July 9-11:  4H camp at Clear Lake - open to all 4H kids 8 years and up (and non-4H). Join us for “reality show” fun and games, swimming and canoeing, and all the great camp favorites.  Bus available.  Participation Fee – see http://marquette4h.blogspot.com for registration and fees.

July 16-18: (Tentative) Bike/camp trip - younger group.  A system paved bike trails connect campgrounds in the Highland State Forest in Northern Wisconsin.  This trip will be camping at the state parks and biking from site to site.  Swimming and hiking will also be on the agenda. Must have attended one meeting since March.

Aug 3rd 10:00-2:00  We're having a car wash and bake sale to raise money for various trips.

Aug. 19-22 Apostle Islands Trip. Older kids trip. We will sea kayak the first day with a guide service, then ferry to Stockton Island for wilderness camping -
.  **We need to get ferry tickets early as they sell out.  If you are ready to commit to this trip, let Kim and Kathy know soon! Must have attended one meeting since March.  *Cost of trip to be determined.

The scoop on the winter camping trip

Here's the updated information about this year's Winter Camping trip:

Date:  Feb. 9-10

Members:  All who have attended at least one meeting in the last 3 months.

Location:  McCormick Tract, White Deer Lake, hike/snowshoe in 3 mi.

Carpool to Leave from Marquette:  Cenex Station on US 41

Depart Marquette:  9:00 a.m. Sat.

Return:  Noon-ish Sun. (we'll call from Ish.)

Fee:  $15.00 (includes Sat. lunch, dinner and Sun. breakfast)

RSVP - Hopefully you have already let Kim and Kathy know if you are planning on attending!

Depending on participants, we will need adult help camping (must have volunteer forms in and clearance through 4H), and/or help transporting.

Preparing for Winter camping!

Sarah Bixby has lined up use of Moosewood Nature Center on

World Wetlands Day, Feb 2. 

Friends of outdoor enthusiasts Deborah (dance professor) and Dan (blacksmith) will be there to demonstrate some outdoor survival skills.

Dan will have his flint and steel sets for us to try out (and buy - a simple tool like this is a great gift for any outdoors woman or man) and we will experiment with other ways to stay warm in north woods winters.

When: Feb 2 3:30 - 4:30

Please try to make this fun skill-builder. You'll be even better prepared for winter camping!

Sarah says, "I am looking forward to seeing Deborah and Dan in action again. They are a good team!"