4-H News Blast

The News Blast contains information about upcoming events, applications, important dates, program changes, and so much more. If you would like to submit an article for the News Blast or would like to receive the News Blast as an e-mail please let us know. The 4-H News Blast is published by Grays Harbor County 4-H staff. This newsletter is sent electronically to all enrolled 4-H members and volunteers. Archived versions of the News Blast are available by request at 360-482-2934

WSU Extension Grays Harbor County 4-H Youth Development News for November 2026

Important Dates – More events and info on Facebook

Oct 1: NEW 4-H YEAR BEGINS!
Nov 1: 4-H Youth Beekeeping – Intro Session, 2 pm at the WSU Ext. ofc., Elma, see info below
Nov 1: 4-H Sewing Series Begins, 1 pm at the WSU Ext ofc, Elma, pre-registration due in advance
Nov 2: GH 4-H Horse Council Meeting, 6:30 pm via Zoom or the WSU Extension office
Nov 4: Calling All Bakers Sign-ups Due (baked goods for Celebrate Our Kids) at: https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/2026/10/06/calling-all-bakers
Nov 4: Celebrate Our Kids RSVPs are encouraged at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/xiLuS7VzbE
Nov 5: 4-H Club Audit Party, 6 pm, WSU Extension office, Elma
Nov 9: 4-H Fair Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm, WSU Extension office, Elma
Nov 11: WSU Extension CLOSED in observance of Veterans Day
Nov 12: “Celebrate Our Kids” Recognition & Awards Event & Dinner, 6 pm, GHC Fairgrounds, Elma
Nov 19: GH 4-H Council Mtng, 6:30 pm, WSU Extension office or https://wsu.zoom.us/j/292376086
Nov 26 & 27: WSU Extension CLOSED in observance of Thanksgiving
Nov 27 – Dec 13: Tractor Supply Company host Paper Clover Campaign
Dec 1: 4-H Club Annual Financial Summary, Audit, and Club Paperwork Due
Dec 1: 4-H Re-Enrollment Due for Returning 4-H members and volunteers
Dec 7: 4-H Horse Council Meeting, 6:30 pm via Zoom or the WSU Extension office
Dec 16: GHC Fairgrounds Hosts Volunteer Dinner, 6 pm, Mike Murphy Pavilion, Elma
Dec 17: GH 4-H Council Mtng, 6:30 pm, WSU Extension office or https://wsu.zoom.us/j/292376086
Dec 24 & 25: WSU Extension office Closed in observance of Christmas
Dec 31: News Blast will only be sent to 4-H members and families who have submitted updated profiles in 4-H Online

More information

News Blast Updates

4-H COUNCIL MEETINGS – Join Us Digitally or In Person
We would love to have you join us for the next Horse Council meeting at 6:30 pm on Monday, November 2.
Join us at the next 4-H Council meeting on Thursday, November 19. These meetings are the best way to share your ideas, get up to the minute information and help shape the direction of YOUR 4-H program. The meetings will be held in person with the option to join remotely, and you can join us via Zoom or with a phone call if you have a Zoom account by clicking the links above or available at https://www.facebook.com/graysharbor4h/ Connect with Tracie to test the system in advance.

TWO PROJECT-FOCUSED WORKSHOP SERIES BEGIN IN NOVEMBER – Sewing & Beekeeping
4-H Youth Beekeeping Program – Grays Harbor & Mason County
We are officially kicking off our new 4-H youth beekeeping program! While meeting locations will vary, our first meeting will be Sunday, November 1 at 2 pm at the WSU Extension Office in Elma. This will be an information session for 4-H members and families to learn about the program, talk about bees, and see if it is something they would like to be involved in. The program is open to youth at all comfort levels. Kids do not have to handle live bees to participate. Register and find out more about the year-long series at https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/2026/10/01/4-h-youth-beekeeping-program-grays-harbor-and-mason-county/

4-H Sewing Series – Grays Harbor & Mason County

Meet a team of 4-H Quilting and Clothing Advisor volunteers and learn how to make a variety of different sewing projects from November through June. Each project will be small enough to finish in one day and a variety of skills and techniques will be built throughout the course of the series. The workshop series is designed for 4-H members of all ages to sew and quilt a variety of small projects. Sessions will be held from 1-3 pm on the first Sunday of each month at the WSU Extension office in Elma and 4-H members can sign up for the entire workshop series or sign up for individual sessions. Space is limited, so register as soon as possible, or the Tuesday before each session if space is still available.
See the project list and registration info at https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/2026/10/01/4-h-sewing-workshop-series-grays-harbor-and-mason-counties/

PREPARE TO CELEBRATE OUR KIDS! RSVPs encouraged by 11/4 at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/xiLuS7VzbE

The Grays Harbor 4-H Council wants to recognize 4-H members for all the great things that have been learned and explored this year! We are so proud of each 4-H member and look forward to celebrating the completion of the 4-H year with you at a Recognition event at the GHC Fairgrounds on Thursday, November 12th at 6pm! Be ready to bid on a delicious dessert at our fundraising auction!

CALLING ALL BAKERS – Register by November 4
Please consider helping the Grays Harbor 4-H Council by donating your favorite dessert treat to be auctioned at our Recognition event on November 12! Let us know by 11/4 what you are planning to make at the link below or by sending an email to tracie.hanson@wsu.edu or andrea.roy@wsu.edu

Bake your favorite brownies, cookies, pie, cake, specialty item, etc.
Please include:
> 1 Standalone Treat (Pie, Cake, etc.) OR 1 Dozen (12) Handheld Treats (cookies, brownies, etc.)
> Disposable Container
> Recipe or Allergen List
> Optional: Photo of the maker!

Calling All Bakers!

4-H AUDIT EXCHANGE & REVIEW PARTY – Thursday, November 5, 6pm
Join us at the WSU Extension office for an opportunity to finalize your club’s Annual Audit process. If your 4-H Club has completed the Annual Financial Summary and is ready to begin the annual audit process, 4-H volunteers and youth members are invited to connect with other 4-H clubs, trade forms, and complete audits before the 12/1 deadline. We’ll provide space to spread out at the WSU Extension office in Elma at 34 Elma-McCleary Road. RSVP if you would like to have one or more representatives participate at (360)482-2934 or 4-H Audit Exchange & Review Party – Fill out form or https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/netyi3Lxa6 .

RE-ENROLL BY DECEMBER 1
Returning members: re-enrollment deadline is December 1 for all programs including fair & summer camp.
Welcome to the new 4-H year! We are excited for you to join this year – Enrollment for the 2026-2027 year is open for all. Please log in to your 4-H Online account to submit your yearly enrollment: https://v2.4honline.com/
PLEASE NOTE: The GH 4-H News Blast will only be sent to 4-H members and families who have submitted updated profiles in 4-H Online as December wraps up.

BECOME A 4-H VOLUNTEER – What do 4-H Volunteers Actually Do?

A little bit of everything! They help kids choose and learn about projects. They plan meetings and activities. They answer questions, organize events, encourage kids to try something new and sometimes simply listen.
You don’t have to be an expert. You don’t have to know everything about 4-H. You just have to be willing to show up, help out and give kids a place to learn and grow.
Could you be a 4-H volunteer? 🍀 There are lots of ways to get involved, and you might be surprised by how much you get out of it, too.
A big thank you to the Grays Harbor 4-H Council for supporting the adults who make so many 4-H experiences possible!

If you know adults who are interested in becoming an official 4-H Volunteer in our community, check out the information available at https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/4-h/become-a-4-h-volunteer/ and https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/2024/09/4-h-council-seeks-committee-volunteers/

If you are interested in these roles or would like to learn more, visit https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/2024/09/4-h-council-seeks-committee-volunteers/ or
contact GH 4-H Council President, Mary, at marylightfoot@aaawa.com or
contact 4-H Program Coordinator, Tracie, at tracie.hanson@wsu.edu

4-H VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Teen 4-H Members or Adults Welcome – This could be you!
The Grays Harbor 4-H Council is seeking adults, teen 4-H members, or teen-adult teams to join our team in a variety of leadership roles, committees, and specific tasks. 4-H provides many opportunities for teens and adult volunteers to act as thoughtful, fun mentors to our youth! While roles and duties can be customized to fit your interests, potential options are described below.

4-H GRAPHICS & SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM
The 4-H Graphics & Social Media Team will partner with WSU Extension Staff and the GH 4-H Council throughout the year on a variety of projects and tasks.

Design and create promotional materials and graphics using Canva and similar design platforms to create a variety of digital and hard copy resources
Coordinate and confirm event logistics with 4-H volunteers and WSU Extension staff
Develop timelines and schedules for sharing promotional materials and graphics on a variety of digital platforms and community events
Engage with 4-H youth members and adult volunteers to support education and facilitate 4-H activities/programs

4-H RECORD BOOK REVIEW TEAM
The 4-H Record Book Review Team will partner with the GH 4-H Council volunteers to focus on the following tasks for a few weeks in October.

Review 4-H member Record Books in consultation with other 4-H team members
Complete a GH 4-H Council scoresheet for each member’s entry
Meet with the 4-H Record Book Team to review scoresheets
Support education of 4-H volunteers, members, and families
Find/secure event venues & digital meeting options as needed
Create promotional materials and graphics
Present awards at the annual recognition event (early Fall)

Archived copies of “Grays Harbor County 4-H News”

4-H News Blast

Program Contact

Tracie Hanson, 4-H Program Coordinator
360-482-2934 • tracie.hanson@wsu.edu