Plenty of stay-at-home activities through Gallatin County 4-H
As we try to stay home as much as possible to flatten the curve of COVID-19, our kids (and adults, too) may be feeling a little cooped up. Here at 4-H, we miss seeing everyone! Social media has been a great way to keep in touch with friends and learn about activities in the community. If you have household members between 5-18, I invite you to join our public Facebook group Gallatin County Illinois 4-H, where I am sharing loads of virtual tours and activities that are fun for youth and adults. Others are opportunities for community service. If you have been making masks for hospital workers and need to get them where they are needed I can help.
Locally our community joined the "The Great Bear Hunt." Homes and businesses placed teddy bears in windows, on porches, and in yards so they were visible from the street. Families could then practice social distancing by taking a drive about to find bears! It was great to see the response on social media from Gallatin County! Another "scavenger hunt" activity other communities are doing is called "Heart Hunters." Homes and businesses place hearts in visible locations for families to find. "The Great Bear Hunt" page is now taking "Mr. Peeps" around Gallatin County. Folks are encouraged to check out the page at 8 a.m. each morning and guess where Mr. Peeps has turned up! It's a fun stay-at-home scavenger hunt.
When you get to the Gallatin County Illinois 4-H page you may notice I have pinned a post to the top. This post gives an overview and schedule of some of the neat activities I have found for youth to do. Several are being offered by 4-H and Extension partners in other states, so you know it is good researched based education. You may also want to check the files section located on the left hand side of the page. There you can find some printable activities. I have posted several activities and virtual tours and will continue to do so. If your child has a particular area of interest let me know- I am happy to see if I have access to resources that would nurture that interest. Please email kscates@illinois.edu or use Facebook messenger!
A word about Zoom. Zoom is a videoconferencing platform. Many businesses and universities use it for meeting remotely. We will be using Zoom to hold 4-H meetings. The Basic Plan is FREE! If you are hosting a meeting there is a 40 minute time limit on meetings. However, the University of Illinois has a subscription, so our meetings will not be affected by that time limit. How do you Zoom? You can download an app to your smartphone or tablet or log on using a computer. You will then need to set up an account using your email and setting a password. This does require Wi-Fi or data. Have poor internet connectivity? No problem. Zoom meetings also have a call in option! Granted you won't get to see everything, but you'll still get to participate.
We continue to enroll and re-enroll for 2019-2020. Don't forget both youth members and volunteers must enroll each year. You may use your 4-H Online account or paper forms are available via email. Download the new Project Guide @ go.illinois.edu/4Hprojectguide to find out what projects interest your family!
If you know a youth who might be interested or you would like to know more about how you can volunteer your skills and time toward the enrichment of youth in Gallatin County please contact Kassy Scates at kscates@illinois.edu or Gallatin County IL 4-H Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/GallatinCountyIL4H/. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact kscates@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.
Upcoming Events
Keep an eye on our Facebook group Gallatin County Illinois 4-H https://www.facebook.com/groups/GallatinCountyIL4H/ for daily activities in a wide variety of subjects.