01. Food & Fitness Day Camp

The Louisiana 4-H Food & Fitness Board is pleased to host a day camp that will feature hands-on cooking activities, games, mindfulness, and more.

Event Details:

• When: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
• Where: 4-H Mini Barn - LSU Campus - Baton Rouge
• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Who Can Participate: 4th-6th grade 4-H members
• Cost: $35/per person

The deadline to submit your registration form is January 6, 2025

Food and Fitness Day Camp Registration

02. Bare Necessities Youth Series

Bare Necessities is an introductory workshop series open to youth in St. John Parish in grades 3 - 6 conducted by both the St. John Parish 4-H Program and the St. John Parish Library. This program has been designed to allow youth to learn basic important life skills.

What are the Dates?

January 9 – Goal Setting/Vision Board

February 12 – Self-Defense – Intro to Jitsu

April 10

Topics will be added once presenters have been secured.

Where and What Time are Sessions Taking Place?

All sessions will take place at the Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library - Reserve Branch from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

How Much does it Cost & Where to Sign Up?

This program is FREE! Families will have to sign up for each session.

Bare Necessities Youth Series Sign up

03. Get the Picture Contest

The Get the Picture Contest is a photography contest for all St. John Parish 4-H members. This contest aims to encourage 4-H members to use photography as a meaningful and expressive communication tool, develop life skills in communication and expressive arts, and provide 4-H members with a platform to display their skills and passion for photography. Each month will feature a different theme. This month’s theme is Holiday/Celebration. All pictures are due by January 10, 2025. The next theme is Nature/Landscape and will be due February 7, 2025.

Get the Picture Contest Online Submission

04. Healthy Outdoor Living Day

St. John and St. Charles Parish 4-H programs have partnered to offer this hands-on healthy living program. The Healthy Outdoor Living Day will allow youth to learn about ATV Safety, fishing, archery, outdoor cooking, gardening, and kayaking/canoeing.

Event Details:

• When: Saturday, February 8, 2025
• Where: Bonnet Carre' Spillway Boat Launch Pavilion
• Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  
• Who Can Participate: 4-H Members in grades 4th-12th
• Cost: FREE, and lunch will be provided

Important Information to Know About the Event:

• Youth must pre-register for this event and be enrolled in 4-H
• Participants must be 10 years old by the date of the event and have a signed waiver to be allowed to participate in the ATV Safety Training Course.
• To participate in this event, participants must wear closed-toe shoes that cover the ankles, a long-sleeve shirt, and long pants.
• There are a limited number of spots available for this event. Therefore, it will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis. Registration is not complete until we have a signed waiver.

The registration deadline for this event is January 24, 2025, and must be completed online.

Healthy Outdoor Living Day Registration

05. Junior Leadership Conference

Calling all 4-H members 14 and older, represent St. John Parish at this year's Louisiana 4-H Junior Leadership Conference (JLC)! Youth voice is a significant component of the 4-H program, where youth can express themselves openly to become actively involved in their growth.

This state-wide leadership conference is planned and executed by the Louisiana 4-H Executive Board and allows you to enhance your leadership skills while meeting other 4-H’ers from across the state.

This year’s conference will occur March 7 – 9, 2025 at Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, LA.

The cost to attend is $60, and the deadline to register is January 30, 2025.

JLC 2025 Registration

06. 4-H Food Challenge

The Louisiana 4-H Food Challenge competition which challenges teams of 4-H members to create a dish using only a key ingredient and access to a “grocery store” for other ingredients. From the ingredients, team members are challenged to create a healthy dish while practicing proper food safety, food preparation, and communication skills. Following the dish preparation, teams then present to a panel of judges who will further test their culinary and nutrition knowledge with a question-and-answer segment.

STATE CONTEST DATE & LOCATION:

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 – State Evacuation Shelter, Alexandria, LA

AGE DIVISIONS:

• Division 1: 4th-6th graders
• Division 2: 7th-8th graders
• Division 3: 9th-12th graders

CONTEST ELIGIBILITY:

• St. John Parish 4-H is permitted to enter TWO (2) TEAMS PER DIVISION
• Must be an enrolled 4-H member.
• Each team must consist of 3-4 members.

Spots will be given on a first-come first-serve basis. Last day to sign up is Jan. 30, 2025.

4-H Food Challenge Registration

07. Citizenship Washington Focus

4-H’ers ages 14-19 can strengthen their communication, leadership, and other citizenship skills on a national level; understanding the importance of civic and social responsibilities as they relate to the development of better citizens and leaders; exchanging ideas, practicing respect, and form friendships with other youth from diverse backgrounds, and experience hands-on learning using the historical backdrop of our nation's Capital City, Washington, D.C.

The experience will take place July 21-27, 2025 in Washington D.C. and the registration fee along with a $300 deposit is due by February 3, 2025.

CWF Information

08. 4-H Monthly Trivia

Answer the trivia question by January 4, 2025, for a chance to win a prize.

Which parish had the first 4-H Club?

Visit https://forms.office.com/r/HJyv2DKA0h or scan the QR Code to answer.

Answer the trivia question by February 7, 2025, for a chance to win a prize.

What year was 4-H established in Louisiana?

Visit https://forms.office.com/r/d306CJksf4 or scan the QR Code to answer.

09. Beef Poster Contest

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2025 Louisiana Beef Industry Council Beef Poster Contest. This contest encourages youth to learn more about the beef industry while promoting the beef industry, products, and nutrition.

This contest is open to all 4-H’ers, 4^th-12^th graders. Only “22x28” poster boards or digital submissions will be accepted for this contest. All posters must use the theme Very Healthful, Very Delicious and must be the 4-H members' original work using resources wisely.

Posters and digital designs should generate positive images and promote beef (not live cattle production) using the indicated theme. Posters should promote beef without projecting negative messages toward other agricultural commodities (chicken, pork, etc.).

Divisions:

• Division I: 4^th – 6^th grade
• Division II: 7^th – 9^th grade
• Division III: 10^th – 12^th grade
• Division Digital – Open division. All grades will compete together

The deadline to submit all poster is February 14, 2025

Beef Poster Contest Information

10. Draw-A-Dairy Billboard Contest

Louisiana 4-H is hosting the 2025 Draw-A-Dairy Billboard Contest. This contest encourages youth to learn more about milk and milk products and their importance to healthy bodies. Through creative and original thinking participants will develop a visual form of marketing communication to convey thoughts and ideas.

Open to 4-H members in grades 4^th – 12^th, youth will be placed within their respective division based on their grade level. Posters must be on a 22” x 28” regular poster board ONLY, no digital submission allowed!

The deadline to submit your poster is February 14, 2025

Contest Information

11. Senior Honor Cords

Graduating seniors, apply to receive a 4-H Honor Cord that you can wear during your commencement! To receive an honor cord, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be an enrolled 4-H member and in good standing
• Must be a graduating senior
• Must have been enrolled in 4-H for at least 3 years of your high school career
• Must have participated in at least one state sponsored 4-H program in the past 3 years or demonstrated exemplary parish-level program involvement.

Must complete the online application by Friday February 14, 2025.

Senior Honor Cord Application

12. 2025 4-H Scholarships

College can be expensive, and 4-H would like to assist youth involved in its program to continue their education. The 2025 4-H Scholarship application is now available for graduating seniors to complete. All scholarships are under ONE (1) application, make sure you indicate on the application which scholarships you would like to apply for (select all that apply).

The deadline to submit a scholarship application is Friday, February 14, 2025.

4-H Scholarship Information

13. Community Service Award

In 4-H, we pledge our hands to larger service. 4-H members make contributions to their communities in many ways. This year, St. John 4-H will award one (1) 4-H member with the 4-H Community Service Award. In order to be considered for this award, youth must complete the award application and submit it by Feb. 14, 2025.

Community Service Award Information

14. Golden Clover Award

Are you 14 years old or younger as of January 1, 2025? Consider applying for the 4-H Golden Clover Award! 4-H members who apply must have at least two (2) years of 4-H Club work, including this year, and score at least 250 points on the application scorecard. 4-H members can only win this award once.

The deadline to submit your application to the 4-H Office is Feb. 14, 2025.

Golden Clover Award Information

15. Emerald Achievement Award

Are you 15 years old or older as of January 1, 2025? Consider applying for the 4-H Emerald Achievement Award! 4-H members who apply must have at least three (3) years of 4-H Club work, including this year, have completed one (1) year of active Jr. Leader work, excluded this year, and scored at least 360 points on the application scorecard. 4-H members can only win this award once.

The deadline to submit your application to the 4-H Office is February 14, 2025.

Emerald Achievement Award Information

16. Outstanding 4-H Club Leader Award

4-H Club Leaders are the backbone of a 4-H Program! They serve as liaisons between the Parish 4-H office and their respective schools and contribute countless hours to making a child’s 4-H experience memorable. The St. John 4-H Program is grateful to have the dedicated educators that serve in this capacity. This year, we are introducing the Outstanding 4-H Club Leader Award and asking the public – 4-H members, 4-H Alumni, Parent/Guardians, Volunteers/Support, etc., to nominate a school 4-H Club Leader for this award that will be given out during 4-H Achievement Day. All nominations must be submitted online by Friday, February 14, 2025.

Outstanding 4-H Club Leader Award Information

17. 4-H Theme Contest

What’s a good theme for the 2025-2026 4-H year? Send us your most creative ideas for a slogan – in seven (7) words or less. Illustrations must accompany the phrase and will be part of the contest. The winning slogan will be brief and “catchy,” capturing the spirit of St. John the Baptist Parish 4-H. The slogan will be used throughout the 2025-2026 program year on advertisements, shirts, newsletters, and more. The winning theme will be announced at 4-H Achievement Day. The deadline to submit your entry is Feb. 14, 2025.

Contest Information

18. Project Books

All 4-H Project Books and Guides are due to the 4-H Office by February 28, 2025. Please note that this is not the 4 H Record Book. Those who complete the book or guide will be recognized at Achievement Day.

19. Passports

All 4-H Passports are due to the 4-H Office by February 28, 2025. Those who completed the passport will be recognized at Achievement Day.

20. Marsh Maneuvers

Do you have an interest in being immersed in the Louisiana marsh where you will learn about coastal ecology, take an airboat ride, go crabbing, and more? Consider participating in one of the best 4-H experiences Louisiana has to offer, Marsh Maneuvers! This five-day overnight camping experience is open to youth who in grades 9-12 during the 2024-25 school year and will take place July 21 – 25, 2025. St. John Parish is allotted one (1) male camper this summer, however we can have a wait list for either gender in case a spot comes available. The cost of the camp is $50 and the deadline to inform Mr. Xavier (xbell@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-497-3261) is March 31, 2025.

21. 2025 4-H Summer Camp Registration

The time has come to begin registering for 4-H Summer Camp. The camp will be held July 17-19, 2025, and will take place at Camp Grant Walker in Pollock, LA. 4^th-6^th graders are eligible to attend. 4-H Camp is a ton of fun! Recreational activities include swimming, canoeing, volleyball, arts & crafts, and dancing. Also, campers will participate in one out of seven educational tracks that allow them to learn in a non-traditional environment. The cost for camp this summer is $150.00 per camper. This fee includes lodging, meals, transportation, a parish group picture, and a camp t-shirt. A payment schedule has been established to assist in paying for camp. Also, multiple opportunities are available for those who need financial assistance.

The deadline to submit your initial deposit of $75 and the camp registration form is April 4, 2024.

Any high school 4-H members or adults would like to attend 4-H Camp as a camp counselor (teens) or adult volunteer (parents/guardians,etc.) please complete the online form.

4-H Summer Camp Information

22. Universe-ity: Leading the New Frontier - 4-H University

Consider being a part of the St. John 4-H delegation at this year’s 4-H University on LSU Campus! 8^th through 12^th grade 4-H members are eligible to attend. With 35 contests to compete in or participate in Clover College, there is something you for. It is now time to register to participate in this event. 4-H University will take place June 17 – 19, 2025.

The cost to participate is $100, which includes registration, housing, transportation, and parish t-shirt. Participants will be responsible for purchasing their meals and event shirt. If multiple youth within a household attend camp, the registration cost is $50/per additional child. The child must be within the same family account in 4-H Online and must complete a registration form.

The deadline to submit your initial deposit of $50 and the registration form is April 4, 2025. All outstanding balances must be paid by May 15, 2025, to participate.

4-H University Information