Put some ‘SPARK’ in summer with Hamilton County 4-H

Hamilton County 4-H will host four exciting SPARK clubs throughout the summer for all ages.

No More Boring Days

Girl Scouts of Central Indiana and Hamilton County 4-H are partnering to present a three-week 4-H SPARK Club program on healthy living, outdoor activities and STEM. Join for a fun and engaging program led by energetic Girl Scout staff. Participants will automatically be registered as a Girl Scout with Girl Scouts of Central Indiana and as a member of Hamilton County 4-H.

“No More Boring Days” will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. on June 11, 18 and 25 in the Exhibition Center Conference Room at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

Cost to participate is $50 (financial assistance available). Registration deadline is June 8.

For more information, contact Kelly Michaels at 317-776-0854 or extension.purdue.edu/Hamilton or Malinda Madden at 765-271-7757 or mmadden@girlscoutsindiana.org.

Purdue Extension’s mission is to deliver practical, research-based information that transforms lives and livelihoods. For more information, visit extension.purdue.edu/Pages.

Girls Scouts’ mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. For more information, visit girlscouts.org.

Horticulture 101

Emma Mendez, a Boone County 4-H alumna, will lead a two-day floriculture design and succulent garden program for youth in grades 7-12. The program will be hosted by Purdue Extension Hamilton County to spark interest in horticulture in the youth of our community.

The “Horticulture 101” 4-H SPARK Club will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 19 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. Cost to participate is $35 for 4-H members and $60 for non 4-H members. Registration deadline is June 13.

On day one, youth will learn how to properly propagate succulents and how to create a succulent garden. On day two, they will focus on how to make live flower arrangements, which will be taught by Mendez and Purdue University horticulture student Courtney Tate. Mendez also will incorporate a global awareness lesson on where flowers are imported from around the world.

Mendez is a senior at Purdue University studying animal sciences with a minor in horticulture. She is also an ambassador for the college of Agriculture at Purdue in the International Program and a Purdue Extension Summer Intern in the Hamilton County Extension Office.

For more information, contact Purdue Extension at 317-776-0854 or extension.purdue.edu/Hamilton.

Help Wanted

Local 4-H alumna Anna Delph will lead a two-day resume and interview skills workshop for youth grades 7-12 as one of Purdue Extension Hamilton County’s many educational summer programs. Through county fair competitions, clubs and community outreach, the Hamilton County 4-H program equips youth with skills related to agriculture, public health, communication and more. Delph’s hands-on career 4-H “SPARK Club” furthers the program’s youth development efforts by instructing students how to strategically customize a resume, cover letter and interview with confidence.

The “Help Wanted” 4-H SPARK Club will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 21 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. Cost for participation is $5 for 4-H members and $20 for non 4-H members. Registration deadline is June 15.

Participants will spend two days learning the job application process by hypothetically applying for a realistic job opening. Students will sharpen their professional communication skills through group discussions, games, and hands-on activities.

Delph, an honors-performing Indiana University student and summer Hamilton County 4-H intern, is bringing her communication skills in both analytical and professional writing.

“The ‘Help Wanted’ 4-H SPARK Club will include college-level tips for persuasive communication in the job application process that I learned in my courses,” Delph said, “It will be a fun way to encourage students to start thinking about how they can develop themselves professionally to stand out in a competitive job market.”

For more information, contact Purdue Extension at 317-776-0854 or extension.purdue.edu/Hamilton.

Cupcake Bake Off

Courtney Tate, a local 4-H alumna, will lead a three-day cupcake baking and decorating workshop for youth grades 3-6. The workshop will be hosted by Purdue Extension Hamilton County to spark interest in 4-H.

The “Cupcake Bake Off” 4-H SPARK Club will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 through Thursday, June 21 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville. Cost to participate is $15 for 4-H members and $40 for non 4-H members. Registration deadline is June 13.

Day one will focus on helpful tips for baking the perfect cupcake using a simple recipe. On day two, participants will learn basic and advanced decorating techniques for their cupcakes. Day three will feature a Cupcake Bake Off for the youth to exercise their new skills. They will have a chance to present their creations to a panel of judges for feedback and helpful tips and tricks for future cupcake creations.

Tate is a senior agriculture education major at Purdue University, the Hamilton County 4-H Summer Assistant and a former 10-year member of the Hamilton County 4-H Cake Decorating project. Several current members of the project along with local bakers will be joining her to share their knowledge with participants.

“Cake baking and decorating is a valuable skill that is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Help us keep this delectable art form alive by joining us this summer!” said Tate.

For more information, contact Purdue Extension at 317-776-0854 or extension.purdue.edu/Hamilton.