Barnstable County 4-H

05/07/2026

🧶Felting, fiber art, and a whole lot of creativity
Last week, Barnstable County 4-H youth got hands-on with the art of needle felting during a special workshop led by Escher Cattle, who proved he’s not just Cape Cod Cooperative Extension's bug guy… he’s an artist too!

Participants learned the basics of felting and created their own “Felt Fellows,” which will be displayed in the Youth Building during the Barnstable County Fair 🎡

From creativity and patience to trying something totally new, this is what 4-H is all about 💚

05/01/2026

Looking to make a difference for Cape Cod youth?

Barnstable County 4-H is hiring an On-Call, Part-Time 4-H Program Assistant.

In this role, you’ll help support 4-H programs through outreach, program delivery, and coordination. You will also assist with youth activities at the Barnstable County Fair and help with programming during school vacations.

✔️ Work with youth ages 5–18
✔️ Flexible schedule including afternoons, evenings, and weekends
✔️ Be part of hands-on, community-based programs across Cape Cod

If you have experience working with youth and an interest in community programs, we encourage you to apply.

Apply here: https://loom.ly/Pggp7o0

04/29/2026

🧭 Calling all curious minds and future explorers…

We’re sharing a great opportunity from Massachusetts 4-H Program and Barnstable County 4-H!

🦴 4-H Career Exploration Series: Archaeologist Holly Herbster
📅 Wednesday, May 13, 2026
⏰ 7–8 PM (ET)
💻 Virtual via Zoom
💸 Free

Geared toward middle and high school youth, but all are welcome.

Got someone who:
🔍 Loves solving puzzles
🏺 Is curious about the past
🤔 Thinks archaeology is just digging in the dirt

This is your chance to hear from a professional archaeologist with 30+ years of experience and learn what the job is really like.

Register: https://bit.ly/CES5-13-26

Not recorded, so be sure to join live! This program is hosted by UMass 4-H. We’re just helping spread the word!

04/23/2026

Looking for something meaningful (and screen-free 👀) for your kids to work on this spring?

The 4-H Youth Exhibit Hall at the Barnstable County Fair is a great way for kids to create something they’re proud of and share it with the community this summer.

Youth ages 5 to 18 can enter and you do not need to be in 4-H to participate.

If your child enjoys:
🎨 Drawing or painting
🧁 Baking
🧱 Building with LEGO
🌱 Gardening
📸 Photography
🔬 Science projects

There’s a place for them at the fair.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about setting a goal, finishing a project, and building confidence along the way.

👉 Read more and start planning your child’s project:
https://loom.ly/j4pGCJc

04/08/2026

🍀 Hey Cape Cod 4-H families!

With April flying by, now’s a good time to double check what’s coming up 👇

If your teen is heading beyond high school into college, trade school, or another accredited program, the Barnstable County 4-H Advisory Council Scholarship can help support that next step.

This scholarship is open to current and former Barnstable County 4-H members who have shown leadership, community service, and commitment to 4-H.

Yes, all those projects, fairs, meetings, and volunteer hours count.

⏳ Deadline is coming up fast: April 17, 2026
📍 Open to eligible 4-H youth across Cape Cod and Barnstable County
Learn more and apply: www.capecod.gov/4hscholarships

Parents, consider this your friendly nudge to take a look.
4-H’ers, you’ve already put in the work. Now let it work for you.

04/07/2026

4-H families, this one’s for you!

Looking for an easy, meaningful community service activity this spring?

The Dennis Conservation Celebration & Town-Wide Litter Clean-Up is happening Saturday, April 18 from 10 AM–2 PM, and it’s a great fit for 4-H members, clubs, and families to join in.

This isn’t a formal 4-H event, but it’s a perfect way for youth to:
✔️ Get outside and be active
✔️ Give back to their community
✔️ Learn by doing to be Beyond Ready for their future

And bonus… there’s free food, games, and prizes after the clean-up 🎉

📍 Johnny A. Kelley Recreation Area, South Dennis
🗓️ April 18 (rain date April 19)

Learn more and preregister: https://loom.ly/Ct1N5bY

Grab your club, your family, or a few 4-H friends and help Keep Dennis Beautiful 💚

Join the Dennis Department of Natural Resources and the Dennis Conservation Land Trust for a town wide cleanup from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM and then from 12:00 PM-2:00 PM for a community celebration with free food, games, and prizes as well as tabling from local organizations! RSVP here.

04/01/2026

Creative Cape Cod kids (and teens), take a look at this 👇

The Barnstable County Fair Youth Exhibit Hall is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a “Happy Birthday America” exhibit and contest this summer 🎉

Think:
Photography
Baking
Writing
Crafts
Flower arranging
…and more ways to show off your creativity ✨

Submissions are due July 15.
Entries will be displayed during the fair, July 20–26.

This isn’t a 4-H–run program, but 4-H proudly supports the Youth Exhibit Hall each year. It’s a great opportunity for local youth to get involved and be part of the fair experience.

Get full details + categories here: https://loom.ly/yePGStw

03/27/2026

What’s your spark? 🔬

Ever wondered what it’s like to design cancer treatments or work in cutting-edge science?

Barnstable County 4-H sharing this upcoming Massachusetts 4-H Program Career Exploration Series event 👇

Join immunoengineer Prabhani Atukorale, Ph.D. (UMass) as she talks about:
🧬 Designing “smart” drugs and cancer vaccines
🧪 How immunotherapy is changing the future of medicine
🎓 Her career path and how she got there

📅 Wednesday, April 8, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM (via Zoom)
🌎 Open to all

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/CES4-8-26

A great opportunity for youth interested in science, health, or just exploring future careers 💚

03/27/2026

April Vacation = Creative Time ✨🎨

Looking for something fun (and screen-free) for the kids this April vacation week?

Join us for a Mixed Media Art Class where kids will paint, blend, and create their own one-of-a-kind portrait using watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil

🖌️ Thursday, April 23, 2026
🕤 9:30–11:30 AM (ages 6–8)
🕛 12:00–2:00 PM (ages 9–12)

Led by Barnstable County 4-H instructor Mandi Santiago, this hands-on class builds creativity, confidence, and real-world skills 💚

Because in 4-H, youth learn by doing to be Beyond Ready for their future 👏

💲 $15 per child
📍Jonathan Bourne Library
👉 Registration required: https://loom.ly/TQCxTZY

Spots are limited, so grab yours before they fill up!

03/25/2026

🎤 Future leaders…take the mic

From lightning ⚡ to horses 🐎 to baby chicks 🐣, our Barnstable County 4-H youth brought the energy and the knowledge at last month’s Visual Presentation Night.

These aren’t just “presentations.” They’re confidence builders, skill sharpeners, and a chance for young people to stand up and share what they love.

And it shows 👇 (based on a recent UMass 4-H Visual Presentation program evaluation)
✔️ 91% of parents say their kids gain confidence
✔️ 76% say it helps prepare them for college
✔️ Real world skills they’ll actually use

Here’s just a peek at what we learned:
🐎 Grooming and lunging horses (yes, there’s a right way!)
🐣 How chicks hatch from egg to fluff
⚡ What causes lightning and how to stay safe
🪶 The wild world of dragonflies
🏈 A deep dive into New England Patriots history

And of course, it all started with the 4-H pledge 💚

This is what 4-H is all about. Learning by doing, growing confidence, and finding your voice.

📢 Want your child to build skills like this?
Check out 4-H Visual Presentations:
https://loom.ly/mo4czs4