Virtual Programming Ideas
DOWNLOADSeptember 1, 2021 - Michigan Sate University Extension
Print
EmailDespite the joy that comes from face-to-face programming there are times when having a virtual program is optimal. (Harsh, unpredictable Michigan winter comes to mind.) This document is designed to provide staff with virtual ideas and with at least one colleague connection, if there are questions. Some the virtual program ideas listed in this document may also be options for a 4-H club volunteer who wishes to conduct virtual meetings with club youth.
|
Program |
Description |
Staff Name |
Contact Information |
|
The Wonderful World of Bugs |
We will talk about all things insect, from migration to pollination. Youth will learn about the insects around them with fun activities like making a pollinator feeder, doing a bug scavenger hunt, and more! |
Sarah Rabine |
|
|
Cooking with Kristi |
Learn new recipes, kitchen safety and cooking terms & techniques. |
Kristi Schreiber or Angela Cook Isabella County & Crawford Co. |
|
|
Games over Zoom! |
What do Trivia, a Scavenger Hunt, Charades and Building Challenges all have in common? They call all be played on Zoom. |
Lance Fowler |
|
|
4-H Creative Arts Celebration Planning Committee |
Monthly creative arts kits distributed to 4-H Gold leaders |
Tracy D’Augustino, Jan Brinn, Connie Lange, Laurie Platte Breza, Beth Wood, and Liana Pepin |
|
|
The Magic of Mindfulness |
A six-week program created to promote mindful practices that lead to improvements in managing one’s own goals, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and mindful eating practices. Our ultimate goal is for youth to embrace the now to shape the future ahead of them. |
Ally Baird 4-H STEAM Corps member Macomb County |
|
|
4-H Minecraft |
Youth will be introduced to computer coding through the world of Minecraft- no game necessary! |
Christine Miller Livingston County |
517-552-6905 (office) |
|
Project FISH |
This virtual FREE 6-week short-term special interest Club is designed to help youth who are new fishing or those young anglers interested in expanding fishing skills. Youth will be introduced to basic angling ethics and stewardship through interactive games and activities including how to bait a hook, casting, knot tying, and fish cleaning and cooking. |
Stacie Gath Saginaw County |
989-907-6500 |
|
Virtual Fishing Derby
Virtual Fishing Derby |
Michigan 4-H is proud to partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to offer FREE a state-wide virtual fishing derby on Free Fishing Weekend June 12-13 2021 for youth ages 5-19. Join us for this statewide event to share your fish stories with youth across the State! Fishing derbies are a great way to build angling skills, increase confidence, learn angler ethics, and have fun! During the fishing derby, youth will be able to complete virtual fishing challenges and submit entries through the Goosechase app and will be awarded points for each mission that is completed. Top participants will be eligible for prizes or certificates.
|
John Duvall Ionia County
Stacie Gath |
|
|
4-H League of Clovers |
The League is marching to battle! After valiantly vanquishing their foes in our last battle, we are calling on all brave adventurers to stand in the great battle between good and evil! Participants can learn problem solving, critical thinking, team building, and acceptance as they take part in the Dungeons & Dragons adventure of a lifetime! |
Aaron Myers Mason County |
231-845-3365 |
|
SPIN Clubs about Dogs |
Do you enjoy learning about animals? Do you ever wonder how dogs became our best friends? How about the basics of dog training? Did you know that a dogs can detect human emotions? Do you want to learn to make treats your dog will love? |
Several different Dog SPIN Clubs have been offered by: Rachel Ochylski, Eaton County Ali Olson, Manistee/Benzie County Caitlin Clover, Emmet County |
Rachel: ochylski@msu.edu Ali: olsonal8@msu.edu Caitlin: cloverca@msu.edu
|
|
Pamper Yourself from the Pantry |
Did you know that you can create spa items right from common household ingredients? Join us as we create spa items with this Fair treat theme with ingredients found right in your pantry. These spa items make great treats to pamper yourself or great gifts for loved ones. |
Martina Valdez 4-H STEAM Corps Member Shiawassee County |
989-743-2251 |
|
Time Capsules |
Youth will learn about the value of memories and how to preserve them for generations in the form of a time capsule. |
Bershar Chapman |
|
|
4-H Book Art
Aet
|
Do you have stories, writing, photographs, images, drawings you want to showcase? Join other artists to explore the world of making handmade books as a unique way to tell a story through text and image. In this class, you will make simple book structures: Japanese binding, accordion books, pamphlet stitch, and more. |
Elizabeth Alderman Dave Radloff Delta County |
|
|
Michigan Trivia |
·How much do you know about the great state of Michigan? Have you ever wanted to find out how you scale next to others in your knowledge of some of Michigan’s most historic, and most treasured landmarks? Come find out as we produce seven weeks of challenges related to our great state and see how you stack up with other 4-H members from all around!
|
Jalen Bell AmeriCorps |
313-676-7784 |
|
All About Chocolate |
Join friends to explore where chocolate comes from, how it’s made, and get to try different types of chocolate! |
Ashley Freed AmeriCorps Luce & West Mackinac County Rachel Ochylski 4-H STEAM Corps Member Eaton County |
906-293-3203
517-543-2310 |
|
ASL-Dive Deeper |
Do you have some basic knowledge in American Sign Language and would like to learn more? In this new, faster-paced 4-H SPIN Club, we will dive deeper into American Sign Language through song signing. |
Liana Pepin Marquette County |
|
|
Photography |
Looking to learn the skills and knowledge it takes to become a photographer? Youth will learn the basics of photography through different hands-on activities and a virtual scavenger hunt. |
Rachel Ochylski 4-H STEAM Corps Member Eaton County |
|
|
Embryology |
During the 4-H Embryology SPIN Club, we’ll explore parts of a chicken egg, incubator set up, incubation days 1-21 (daily chick development, candling, the hatch!), after the hatch, and chick handling. participants will be watching chicks hatch virtually! |
Ashley Rodarte Saginaw County |
|
|
Jedi Training |
Explore the skills of the Jedi through mindfulness, physical activity, and a variety of at home challenges |
Susan Kirkman Mackinac County |
906-643-7307 |
|
Creative Cards |
Do you like scrapbooking? What about card making? Join us for some card making fun! 4-H STEAM Members are bringing you an awesomely creative mash-up of Creative Card Making! Join this new 4-H SPIN Club to bring out your creative side. Together we will be making 6 different types of greeting cards. At the end of the club, youth will participate in a service project, donating their cards to a local organization. |
Mariah Kucera 4-H STEAM Corps Member Bay County |
989-415-0789 |
|
Are Your Laces Tied? 4-H Hiking |
Youth will learn how to safely prepare for and take a short hike, the benefits of spending time outdoors, and the importance of Leave No Trace principles while you are hiking. Special guests will share hiking tips. With the basic skills learned through this club, youth will be able to safely enjoy hiking! |
Anne Kretschmann Houghton and Keweenaw Counties |
906-482-5830 |
|
Earth Day Heroes |
Join us as we learn to become Earth Day Heroes. Every Day can be Earth Day as we learn, create, and experiment with things that can benefit the environment. |
Martina Valdez 4-H STEAM Club Member Shiawassee County |
|
|
4-H Dance Party |
Explore computer coding by programming your own Dance Party! This is an introduction to computer coding. Participants will need access to the internet to go to the coding site. |
Christine Miller Livingston County |
517-552-6905 |
|
Mars Base Camp |
The race to land humans on Mars is on! The 4-H STEM Challenge will explore sending a mission to Mars with the activity, Mars Base Camp. Each participant will receive a family-sized kit that includes materials for 1-4 youth to participate in the offline activities and then share discoveries with youth from across Michigan. |
Katelyn Golembiewski Macomb County |
586-469-5979 |
|
Graphic Novels 101 |
Ever wanted to create a Graphic Novel, but didn’t know where to start? Now is your chance to learn the skills and create your very own Graphic Novel. |
Lance Fowler 4-H STEAM Corps Member Bay County |
989-895-4026 ext 7 |
|
Origami |
Youth ages 5-19 will explore the cultures of Japan and China through the art of Origami. Each week, participants can choose how to participate (written instructions, videos, and/or Zoom meeting) and create a new origami project. |
Les Thomas Alcona County |
989-727-6478
|
|
Hero Time |
Do you want to become a superhero!? Then join us as we discuss, create, and play games about superheroes! |
Lance Fowler 4-H STEAM Corps Member Bay County |
989-895-4026 ext 7 |
|
4-H Lego Master Builder |
Youth will get a chance to be creative, be ingenious, be an engineer and become a Master Builder with LEGO |
Christine Miller Livingston County |
517-552-6905 |
|
Clover Chaser 4-H Run Club |
Do you want to learn more about fitness and running? Join the 6-week Clover Chasers 4-H Running Club! Youth ages 8-13 are invited to learn about nutrition, proper running form and hydration. |
Tarin Minkel Montcalm County
|
989-831-7514
|
|
Winter Outdoor Family Adventure by GooseChase
|
Is your family looking for something fun to do this winter? Do you want to win cool prizes from Jay’s Sporting Goods? Join Mid Michigan College, MSU Extension and 4-H, and Jay’s Sporting Goods as your family team has fun in the outdoors while learning about many winter activities through this self-paced scavenger hunt. The only equipment needed for this adventure is a smart device with a camera! |
Alex Schunk Clare County |
989-539-7805 ext 3 |
|
4-H Trail Camera SPIN club |
Youth will be introduced to ecosystems, Michigan wildlife, and learn how to contribute to science by examining trail camera footage and other observation methods. Members will receive a supply kit in the mail containing materials for activities and to support extended learning. Members can use their own cameras if they have them, or use footage collected by staff. |
Mariah Kucera 4-H STEAM Corps Member Bay County |
989-415-0789 |
|
4-H Ninja Training Spin Club |
If you know of any youth interested in learning about what it takes to be a ninja, please have them sign up for this spin club |
Michelle Neff Clare County Veronica Bolhuis Kalamazoo County |
989-539-7805 269-383-8867 |
|
STEAM Careers Club |
Are you interested in learning more about S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) careers as a career pathway? This exciting series of STEAM Careers is being offered for high school youth to offer exposure to employment opportunities in a variety of fields. |
Ally Baird 4-H STEAM Corps Member Macomb County |
|
|
4-H LEGO Creator Spin Club |
You are never too old to be creative, be ingenious, be an engineer and be Creative with LEGO! This 4-H SPIN Club is FREE and OPEN to 4-H and non-4-H members ages 13 to 19. |
Christine Miller Livingston County |
517-552-6905
|
|
What’s all the buzz 4-H Bee Program |
Youth and adults from the public and 4-H community wanting to learn more about 4-H bee programs should plan to attend this interactive webinar. Along with discussing many of the bee program opportunities that 4-H has to offer, staff will also host an interactive bee jeopardy game for attendees. |
Alex Schunk Clare County |
989-539-7805 |
|
Valentine Treat Spin Club |
Life is like a box of chocolates and you are the creator! Join us as we create Valentine’s Day treats for the ones we love. These treats are all no bake items that you can make right at home, no special molds or fancy gadgets needed. |
Martina Valdez 4-H STEAM Corps Member Shiawassee County |
989-743-2251 |
|
Unsolved Mysteries Spin Club |
Calling all investigators! It’s time to put on your thinking cap and get ready to solve these unsolved mysteries. Do you think you can read between the lines, follow the clues, and dig up answers? Join fellow detectives in this exciting new 4-H SPIN Club: Unsolved Mysteries. This club is open to all youth ages 8 and up. |
Ashley Freed 4-H STEAM Corps Member Luce and West Mackinac Counties |
906-293-3203 |
|
Wild Crazy Careers |
A 6-week career seminar with professionals from all over the country who have jobs that make you ask, “you can get paid for THAT?” Career professionals include: Sea Kayak guide, Youth Conservation Corps trail builder, small business owners (eco tourism and farming), zookeepers, wildlife videographers, police dog trainer, mountaineers, and wildland firefighters. Youth will learn skills in setting SMART goals, interviewing techniques, resume tips, and more.
|
Liz Wiener Alger County |
906-387-2530 |
|
Agents of Kindness Spin Club |
Are you interested in getting involved in your community from the comfort of your home? During the Acts of Kindness SPIN Club, we’ll explore ideas for generous actions that encourage youth voices and promote the common good, even when we are apart. Michigan youth ages 9-13 are invited to join us for discussions and activities related to service learning, and participants will learn how to match their interests to community needs through investigation, planning, action and reflection. |
Rachel Ochylski 4-H STEAM Corps Member Eaton County |
517-543-2310 |
|
Among Us Spin Club |
Beware … there are impostors AMONG US!! Keep an eye out for the impostor while you join your crewmates in solving puzzles, completing tasks, and fixing the spaceship. This free club is open to youth ages 9 and up. |
Lance Fowler 4-H STEAM Corps Member Bay County Ashley Freed 4-H STEAM Corps Member Luce and West Mackinac Counties |
989-895-4026 ext 7
906-293-3203
|
|
Pamper Yourself Holiday |
Did you know that you can create spa items right from common household ingredients? Join us as we create spa items with this Holiday treat theme with ingredients found right in your pantry. These spa items make great treats to pamper yourself or great gifts for loved ones. |
Martina Valdez 4-H STEAM Corps Member Shiawassee County |
989-743-2251 |
|
Sooper Yooper Scavenger Hunt |
Are YOU a Sooper Yooper? Do you think you know everything there is to know about the UP? Challenge your family through a scavenger hunt to test your Yooper knowledge! Whether you live here, have a cabin here, vacation here, or have never visited-- you are sure to learn some fun facts about the UP while completing missions on the GooseChase app. |
Anne Kretschmann Houghton & Keweenaw Counties |
906-482-5830 |
|
MI Youth Fall-a-thon Outdoor recreation, conservation, Fisheries & Wildlife Scavenger Hunt |
This free GooseChase program will have a fall theme with topics that include outdoor recreation, conservation, fisheries and wildlife, shooting sports and safety for hunting, ORVs, and more. |
Alex Schunk Clare County |
989-539-7805 ext 3 |
|
Wild Spartans Series |
Join 4-H staff as we take a look into life working with fisheries and wildlife! Follow along as we climb through bogs, peer into bear dens, mist net songbirds, snorkle for fish, or perhaps even tag deer. Meet researchers, learn about their field work, and the education and career path they've followed to get there. |
Laura Quist Veronica Bolhuis Anne Kretschmann Seth Martin |
|
|
Haunted Hangouts Spin Club |
Are you a huge fan of the spooky things that go bump in the night? Do you want to celebrate one of the most anticipated holidays around – Halloween? During the meetings, we will be doing hands-on projects, activities, and games that are Halloween themed. |
Lance Fowler 4-H STEAM Corps Member Bay County |
989-895-4026 ext 7 |
|
Flour Tortilla Making 101 |
In this class participants will learn how to make fresh homemade flour tortillas from scratch. |
Lizz Duran Macomb County |
586-469-6090 |
|
4-H Jedi Training for Teens |
A new 4-H Jedi Training, just for teens. Open to youth ages 13 and up, this club is guaranteed to be loaded with Star Wars clips and discussion. Each session explores a new skill of the Jedi through mindfulness, physical activities, and at home challenges. Our last sessions will be the Jedi trials, where after completion you will become a Jedi knight. |
Jessica Price Luce County
Susan Kirkman
|
|
|
The Secret Life of Trees |
For students in grades K-2 this fall, we'll explore The Secret Life of Trees as we investigate big ideas - how trees have amazing features that help them survive and grow. Do trees compete or cooperate as they use resources in their environment to survive? Which trees grow at Tollgate Farm and why, and how are they alike and different from the trees in the students’ yard, park, or schoolyard? Participants will act out the life cycle of a tree, collect and organize leaves, create bar graphs, explore why leaves change colors, play games about tree needs, create a model of a tree, and much more!
|
Ellen Koehler Education Coordinator MSU Tollgate Farm |
248-347-0269 ext 227 |
|
Follow the Nutrient Trail |
For grades 3rd and up, an exciting interactive series called Follow the Nutrient Trail explores how plants and animals depend on other living things to help them survive. We’ll follow the nutrient trail of consumers, producers, and decomposers as we meet our plants, goats, chickens, and red wiggler friends, the worms! Visiting the garden, greenhouse, orchard, and animal barn, students will investigate how the energy of the sun and nutrients travel through the nutrient cycle. |
Ellen Koehler Education Coordinator MSU Tollgate Farm |
248-347-0269 ext 227 |
|
4-H Coding Weekend Workshop |
Registration is now open for the NEW 4-H Coding Weekend Workshop- an Intro to Coding. Explore the exciting field of computer coding at MSU Extension’s newest Coding Workshop! Whether you have prior computer coding knowledge, or have never even thought about it, you will gain valuable coding skills at this fun virtual STEM weekend workshop. For youth 9th through 12th grade. |
Christine Miller Livingston County
|
517-552-6905 |
|
Adulting 101 Series |
Ready to be out on your own? Learn some important skills to be successful as an adult. Our Adulting 101-Fall Series includes: interview skills, households task, and develop spending plan. Bring questions and learn important skills for life. This is targeted at high school youth. |
Michelle Neff Clare County |
989-539-7805 |
|
4-H in the Kitchen Ultimate Grilled Cheese |
This workshop will demonstrate to kids how to make one of my favorite meals, Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. This workshop will be doubly special because we will be using predominantly fat free ingredients to produce a healthy version of the sandwich. |
Aaron Myers Mason County |
231-845-3365 |
|
The Wizarding World of 4-H: A Harry Potter Book Club |
All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Youth ages 9-12 years old can explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter through this virtual 4-H book club. Participants will read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the first book in the Harry Potter series. Each week, we will discuss chapters read, quiz our wizard knowledge, and complete hands-on activities. House points will be earned throughout the entirety of the program with a chance to win "The House Cup." |
Katelyn Golembiewski Macomb County |
586-469-5979 |
|
4-H Summer Movie Series |
The Summer Movie Series films present coming of age stories through a diverse range of topics and genres. While these films share the universal themes of growth and self-discovery, they were selected to present the differences and experiences that are faced by teens who live in dissimilar settings with diverse challenges. |
Angela Cook Crawford County
Geep Charlebois Antrim & Otsego Counties |
989-344-3264 ext. 206
|
|
Food Preservation Series |
Love jam on your toast? Do you like dill pickles? This fun hand on food preservation series will help youth learn the basic of making jams and pickling vegetables. July 20th and 27th will be exploring Jams and Jellies. (must attend both jam/jelly classes). Ages 9 and up. |
Michelle Neff Clare County |
989-539-7805 |
|
Zipping Around the Zoos |
Let’s sneak out to the zoos to visit with the animals. |
Lance Fowler 4-H STEAM Corps Member Bay County |
989-895-4026 ext.7 |
|
4-H Biking Challenge |
In response to youth asking for more fun outdoor physical activities, 4-H Healthy Living is happy to kick off the Michigan 4-H Biking Challenge. Please promote the 4-H Biking Challenge that starts on Monday, June 15th and goes through Monday, July 6th. It is 3 weeks of exciting themes such as the muddiest ride, the funniest ride, the wettest ride and the best 4-H gear ride. |
Sarah Misiak
Kea Norrell-Aitch |
|
|
Ready for your Future Boot Camp |
Discover what employers are looking for in resumes and portfolios. Get your materials critiqued. Learn to communicate all the life skills you have developed through your 4-H, FFA, work, school, extracurricular and volunteer experiences. Learn about interview skills and participate in mock interviews. |
Deb Barrett Janice Zerbe Kelly Stetler |
|
|
MI Butterfly & Squirrel Trackers |
Do you love Science? Do you love to explore? Join friends from Traverse Area District Library to learn behaviors and patterns of butterflies and squirrels all while helping Scientists! You read that right! HELPING SCIENTISTS! For this citizen science project, we will track and observe different Butterfly species in our area, and report our findings to help Michigan Scientists understand the changing population status of our state’s butterfly species and evaluate the quality of Michigan ecosystems. The second half we will track squirrels and report the findings. |
Susy White Grand Traverse County |
231-922-4825 |
|
Birds Inside Out |
Birds Inside SPIN club is your one stop shop for anything and everything bird related! From wild birds outside to pet birds in the home, this club will teach you about stewardship of all different kinds of birds. Using cockatiels and bluebirds as examples, this club will help you learn both how to care for the birds in your garden and help you decide if a pet bird is right for you! This |
Leland Swift AmeriCorps Member |
|
|
Lake to Lake Fitness Fun |
Are you ready for a challenge? Youth will learn fun and exciting ways to exercise and stay active through games, challenges, and self-paced learning activities that can be done at any time. Learn how to track your exercise time and see if you can make it all the way from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. |
Stacie Gath Saginaw County |
989-907-6500 |
|
4-H Video Production Spin Club |
Learn about the art of video recording, video editing and everything related through lessons, activities and games with the Video Production SPIN Club. Michigan AmeriCorps members will lead meetings |
Cameron Michaels |
|
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT @HANDLE.MSUE