Registration
Books and Forms are now available at the Extension office and online (see
"Forms" below). Please read the information below
carefully so you don't miss anything.
About 4-H Exploration Days
More than 2,500 students and adult chaperones will be on the
Michigan State University campus June 19-21 for the 44th annual 4-H
Exploration Days. Participants stay in residence halls and attend sessions in
their areas of interest such as veterinary medicine, Web design, performing
arts, how to start their own business, organic farming, and many more. 214
hands-on classroom and field trip sessions are offered this year. Participants
from Marquette County must have turned 12 years old by January 1, 2014 in order
to participate in the event.
Exploration Days, Michigan’s largest annual 4-H event, is designed to help
students learn new ideas and techniques while exploring career options and
developing decision-making, independence and teamwork skills. They also meet
and interact with people from different backgrounds and areas throughout
Michigan. 4-H volunteers and staff are on hand to offer oversight and guidance.
“Exploration Days gives 4-H youth an authentic collegiate experience,” says
Judy Ratkos, MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development program leader and coordinator
of the event. “They are exposed to things they cannot get at the local level.
Information learned in a session may spark their interest in a college major or
career.”
Wednesday Night’s Wharton Center Entertainment is “Science in the Movies”. See
the secret science behind movie stunts and special effects! Presented by Steve
Wolf, an award winning engineer of stunts for feature films and TV shows.
When not
in sessions, students will have a plethora of recreation and learning choices.
This year’s Exploration Days features the following options:
Abrams Planetarium- Take in
a narrated sky show to learn about the stars and planets.
Demmer
Shooting Sports Education and Training Center -This MSU facility
features the latest in shooting range technology and is designed to accommodate
a variety of shooting sports activities. It promotes, advances, and encourages
the safe use of firearms and archery equipment for programmatic and
recreational use.
Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum -This new, world-class
museum provides innovative educational and creative art including interactive
exhibits to help visitors learn about the modern art on exhibit.
4‑H
Children’s Garden- Experience the many themed gardens within the world-famous 4‑H
Children’s Garden.
MSU
Animal Teaching and Research Centers Tour- travel by bus to visit
the MSU dairy, horse or beef facilities.
MSU Dairy Store- See where MSU makes its very
own ice cream and cheese, and consider buying a yummy snack while you’re there.
MSU Museum -Explore the animals, cultures, crafts and
much more on display at MSU’s very own museum.
Science
Palooza- See and do a tons of really cool, fun science-related
activities.
Swimming- swim
with others from your county delegation in MSU’s Oplymic-sized outdoor pool.
During your leisure time at 4‑H Exploration Days you can also
bowl, shoot pool, dance, ice skate, swim and more!
The annual State
4-H Awards Celebration, a formal event celebrating the accomplishments of
more than 160 Michigan 4-H members, takes place June 19.
Cost and Scholarship
Information
|
Option #1
|
Option #2
|
Option #3
|
Option #4
|
Current 4-H Members
|
$254
|
$214
|
$141
|
$101
|
New and Returning 4-H Members
|
$264
|
$224
|
$151
|
$111
|
|
Full cost with no scholarships
|
Cost with $40 State 4-H Scholarship applied
|
Cost with $113 Marquette County 4-H Council Scholarship applied
|
Cost with $40 State 4-H Scholarship AND $113 Marquette
County 4-H Council Scholarship applied
|
The options above show the cost
for youth to participate in the event. The costs include a $165.00 Exploration
Days Registration Fee, a $24.00 early arrival fee, a $65.00 bus fee, and (for
youth not currently enrolled in 4-H) a $10.00 Participation Fee. In addition to
these fees, participants are also responsible for 3 meals while traveling to
and from East Lansing. Some sessions also require that participants pay a
"session fee". See registration booklet for more info (these session
fees are due along with any balance at the orientation meeting in June).
The Marquette County 4-H Council and the State 4-H Office provide
financial assistance to support the participation of Marquette County youth in
this event. Youth must complete scholarship applications in order to
receive financial assistance.
Marquette County 4-H Council Scholarship
The Marquette County 4-H Council will provide $113.00 scholarships
to youth who complete a Marquette County 4-H Council - Exploration Days
Scholarship Application Form. The form must be received by the Marquette County
MSU Extension office by April 17, 2014 in order for youth to get this
scholarship.
State 4-H Scholarship
Each year the State 4-H office awards each county a limited number
of Exploration Days Scholarships. These $40 scholarships are to support
participation of financially limited youths who would otherwise not attend and
to encourage and support youth who have not participated in Exploration Days in
the past. If you are new to Exploration Days, please fill out an
application. If you have multiple children attending, please fill out an
application. These forms are due April 17th, as well.
Registration Instructions and Deadlines
Please note: All participants MUST include 8 session choices
on their registration form. You will not be registered unless your form has all
8 session choice lines completed and the $80 registration fee is paid. Please
make your checks out to MSU. Please be sure to include an email address
on your registration form as well.
Everything you need to register for Exploration Days is in the Registration
Book. You can download the book (or only the forms) from this blog. Printed
books are also available at the MSU Extension office. Feel free to stop by and
pick one up or contact the office and we can mail you the book.
Sessions are assigned in the order that registrations are received, so early
registration is highly encouraged! The deadline for registration is
April 30th. Scholarship applications are due April 18, 2014.
Orientation Information
Orientation Meeting
Mark your calendar and
save the date! A mandatory
Exploration Days Orientation meeting will be held at 5:30 pm on Thursday,
June 5th. This meeting will be a shorter version of the
orientation meeting for individuals who have attended Exploration Days in
the past. A mandatory Exploration Days orientation meeting will be
held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, June 10th. This is the standard
orientation meeting, for youth who have not yet been to Exploration Days. ALL
youth participants and a parent, and adult chaperones are required to
attend one of these meetings. Location of both meetings will be in
the 4-H building at the Marquette County Fairgrounds. Please put this on your
calendars now.
Identification Portfolios
A Personal Data Sheet with a current photo will
be needed for each youth and adult participant. These sheets will help county
conference assistants (CCAs) and chaperones put names and faces together, put
all pertinent information in one place and assist with identification and
tracking if someone is missing. I encourage you to fill this information out
now and submit it with your photo when you hand in your registration forms.
You can have both the form and photo ready to hand in at the Orientation
Meeting in June.
Forms
Registration Checklist
For more information about Exploration Days, visit the website: http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events/4-h_exploration_days
