Union County 4-H Youth Development

Today was the final day of STEMBytes Camp! We’ve had an amazing week filled with learning, creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on STEM fun. Our campers explored new technology, built their coding skills, and challenged themselves in exciting ways. We are so proud of everything they learned and accomplished this week. Thank you to all of our campers for making STEMBytes such a success!

We have been having so much fun at STEMBytes Camp this week! 🚀💻🔬

From coding and robotics to hands-on STEM challenges, our campers have been learning new skills, solving problems, and discovering just how exciting science, technology, engineering, and math can be. We can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings!

🚀💻 We had an amazing first day of STEMBytes Camp!

Campers dove into the world of coding as they explored Micro:bits, programmed moving vehicles, and even used code to create music!

We can’t wait to see what the rest of the week brings as our young innovators continue to build their STEM skills! ✨🔬

We had so much fun last week at Around the World Cloverbud Camp! 🌎🍀

Our Cloverbuds spent the week learning about the world around them, trying new things, asking great questions, and exploring new ideas through hands-on activities and play. It was wonderful to watch their curiosity grow as they discovered just how big and exciting our world can be.

Thank you to all of our amazing campers for making it such a fun-filled week of learning and adventure! 💚✈️

Our CPR Training for summer camp went great! Everyone had the opportunity to learn and practice important lifesaving skills to help ensure a safe and successful summer camp season. Thank you to everyone who participated and took the time to prepare for a fun, safe summer with our campers!

We have a few last-minute openings available in our 4-H Summer Fun camps.

Spots are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Available spots:

Around the World" (ages 5-7): 1 spot available | June 8-12
Millstone Overnight Camp (ages 8–14): 2 male spots available | June 21–26
Exploring 4-H (ages 5–7): 5 spots available | August 3–7

To claim a spot, please email Autumn Baucom at [email protected] with the name of the camp(s) you are interested in.

If all spots are filled before we receive your email, your child will automatically be placed on the waitlist.

This is a great opportunity for all of our 4-H’ers who have been snapping photos all year long! We would love to see lots of entries from Union County youth.

Summer is coming and colorful crocheted headbands were on the May agenda! It was so much fun to learn this versatile pattern with friends! Join us back in August for our next meeting!

Till then-keep on casting!~your club reporter, Elli 🥰🧶🎉

If your artist loves drawing, painting, or getting creative, this is for them!

North Carolina youth ages 5–18 are invited to enter the new NC Youth Dairy Art Contest for June Dairy Month. Youth can create original dairy-themed artwork featuring cows, dairy foods, farm life, creative products, and more.

We are excited to try something new for June Dairy Month by hosting a North Carolina Youth Dairy Art Contest!

Youth ages 5–18 are invited to create original dairy-themed artwork celebrating dairy cows, dairy foods, farm families, and the dairy industry.

Contest Theme: Farm Fresh Creativity
Participants are encouraged to create artwork that highlights:

Creative dairy foods and recipes
Value-added dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream, flavored milk, and specialty dairy products
Unique ways dairy farmers and businesses transform milk into products people use and enjoy
Dairy-inspired inventions, packaging, marketing ideas, or future dairy products
Farm-to-table concepts and healthy living
The creativity, innovation, and hard work behind the dairy industry
All artwork should positively promote the dairy industry.

Age Divisions & Deadlines
Division 1: Youth Division
Ages: 5–12
Submission Period: May 25 – June 12
Voting Period: June 13 – June 20
Winner Announced: Following the close of voting in June
Prize: $25 Gift Card

Division 2: Teen Division
Ages: 13–18
Submission Period: June 8 – June 26
Voting Period: June 27 – July 4
Winner Announced: Following the close of voting in July
Prize: $25 Gift Card

Artwork Requirements
Participants may submit:

Hand-drawn artwork
Paintings
Mixed media art
Any original artwork that can be physically created by hand

Voting Structure

Voting will be conducted through our page!
All submissions for each division will be posted on June 13 or June 27, depending on the division. Voting will remain open for one week. Community members are encouraged to continue commenting and engaging with the posts afterward, but only interactions received during the official voting period will count toward the final totals.

Likes, reactions, and comments will each count as points for the artwork submissions. The piece with the highest engagement in each division will be declared the winner.

One winner from each division will receive a $25 gift card.

How to Submit
To enter, participants must submit:

A scanned digital image or a clear photo of the artwork
A completed parent/guardian permission form
Entries should be emailed to [email protected] by the appropriate division deadline.

We encourage you to get creative and help us celebrate dairy this June by sharing and promoting this opportunity with youth across North Carolina!

**Mullet cow attached just for attention ☺️

Looking to grow your livestock judging skills this summer? Here are two great opportunities for youth interested in livestock judging, animal science, and skillathon contests!

NC Livestock Judging & Skillathon Clinics
June 15–16
NCSU E. Carroll Joyner Beef Education Unit

This two-day event is perfect for youth wanting to learn the basics of livestock judging and skillathon in a fun, low-stress environment. Participants will get hands-on experience while learning from experienced leaders and past State Team members!

Virginia Tech Livestock Judging Camp
June 19–21
Blacksburg, VA

This camp offers:
• One-on-one oral reasons coaching
• Species-specific judging sessions
• Performance data and genetics instruction
• A chance to experience campus life at Virginia Tech

This program is especially great for youth interested in exploring collegiate livestock judging pathways and future careers in animal science.

For more information about the Virginia Tech camp, contact Matthew Miller at [email protected].

Please reach out if you have any questions about these opportunities!