State 4-H Parent-Volunteer Conference

The primary purpose for this conference is to strengthen the local club or project group experience for youth, families, parents and volunteers. We want parents and volunteers to gain greater confidence in developing and implementing a local experience which will retain youth, gain youth and use an increasing number of volunteers as project and activity leaders.

 

June 27-28, 2025

OSU Campus - North Classroom Building

Stillwater, OK

• Registration
  • ZSuites - Registration due June 6, 2025
  • Pre-conference and Conference $70
  • Conference ONLY $50
  • OK 4-H Foundation - Thank you for your financial support of OK volunteers.
• T-Shirt - with conference logo $15
  Order Shirt
• June 27 - Pre-conference Workshops

  Select one in-depth workshop for the day. Participants will return home with the tools necessary to implement programming in their club, classroom, or community.

  • • • • 4-H Vet Science ExpOSUre
        • Growing Communication Skills in 4-H Project Work
• June 28 Conference
  • Fifteen (15) unique workshops opportunities.
  • Super Seminar - Picture Perfect YOUth
  • 4-H Marketplace
  • Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
  • Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communications, program information or reasonable accommodations, need to contact Karla Knoepfli at (405) 744-8882  or email karla.knoepfli@okstate.edu  at least two weeks prior to the event.
• Conference Objectives

  4-H Volunteers serve, train, engage, advocate, and mentor 4-H youth and families.

  • Serve their club, county, and community on behalf of 4-H and Cooperative Extension.
  • Train youth, parents and fellow volunteers through club meetings, project groups, and programming.
  • Engage youth and families in ownership of their club and project work
  • Advocate for positive youth development through an inclusive safe environment where youth feel a sense of belonging.
  • Mentor 4-H youth and families in being civically engaged. 
• Pre-Conference Agenda

  June 27 - 9 am    

  Registration – North Classroom Building

  
  9:30 – 11:30 am 

  Growing Communication Skills in 4-H Project Work — Unlock the power of communication in 4-H projects! Join our interactive workshop to explore verbal, nonverbal, written, and visual communication. Dive into creative activities like poster-making, educational displays, creative writing, graphic design, and public speaking. Learn how to make learning fun and intentional, helping youth express ideas, share knowledge, and build confidence. Perfect for volunteers eager to inspire communication skills and develop confidence.
  4-H Vet Science ExpOSUre –

  Experience a version of the ExpOSUre program designed for youth ages 8 to 18.
  Volunteers will rotate through interactive stations led by veterinarians and CVM students, exploring hands-on veterinary science activities. Through facilitated discussions, participants will identify ways to adapt these experiences for 4-H clubs and county programs, bringing 4-H Vet Science to life for youth.

  
  11:30 am – 12:45 pm

  Lunch on your own

  
  1-3 pm

  Workshops continue.

  
  3:15 – 4:30 pm

  Mix and Mingle – Time to network with new friends, ask questions, and/or share resources.

• Conference Agenda

  June 28 - 8:15 – 8:45 am

  Registration – North Classroom Building - OSU Campus

  
  9 am

  Welcome – Becky Roberts, Oklahoma State 4-H Volunteer Board President

  
  9:15-10:15 am

  Super Seminar – PICTURE PERFECT YOUTH – An introduction to a personal development curriculum,
  focused on helping youth discover themselves, build skills, and develop character, leadership, and
  citizenship traits through engaging activities and resources

• Workshop Session 1

  10:30-11:30 am

  Brighter Futures: College and Career Readiness This new program and curriculum focuses on College and Career Readiness for High School Students. The curriculum consists of four lessons for each school year. At the completion of this program, the students will receive pre-admission to Oklahoma State University. Join us to learn more about this opportunity and how to participate.

  
  Release Your 4-H'ers Wild Side

  This workshop will be focused on planning and implementing an outdoor education-inspired camp. Get tips, tricks, and what not to do's from agents and volunteers that have conducted them in their counties. Hands-on activities and materials will be
  available to take back to your county.

  
  Making Meetings Work: Unlocking the Secrets of Parliamentary Procedure

  This hands-on workshop will introduce individuals to parliamentary procedure by unlocking tools and tactics to assist in conducting an efficient meeting. Participants will learn how to utilize these practices themselves while also gaining an understanding of how to distribute the information and practices to their 4-H members.

  
  Cultivating Cloverbuds

  Learn how to plant 4-H seeds for success and grow your 4-H program with Cloverbuds. In this workshop, participants will learn tips and tricks for engaging Cloverbuds and help them grow and bloom into lifelong 4-H members.

   

  Geocaching: High-Tech Scavenger Hunt

  Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt, where participants use GPS devices and clues to find hidden caches all around them. 4-H members can experience outdoor adventures while learning about nature, history, navigation, teamwork, and more! Learn about the rules, etiquette, and different types of geocaches.

   

  Noon - 1pm

  Volunteer Recognition Luncheon – Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development
  4-H Marketplace – Youth 4-H Entrepreneurs

• Workshop Session 2

  1:30-2:30 pm

  Fibers to Fabrics

  This program helps youth learn how natural and man-made fibers are processed to become sweaters,  t-shirts, and jeans. Participants will have a chance to spin cotton and use a homemade loom to weave cotton yarn into a “mug rug”. The finished product meets the criteria for the Textile Fabric Creation class in the HDTC Section at the fair. Other weaving projects will be shared.

   

  Nature Navigator: Wellness in the Wild

  Join us for the Nature Navigator: Wellness in the Wild
  workshop, a new program opportunity. Designed to inspire youth to connect with nature alongside family, friends and fellow club members, this program promotes both physical activity and mindfulness in the great outdoors.

  
  7 Seas STEM

  Ahoy, Maties! Get ready to set sail on a scientific adventure across the Seven Seas. Learn more about this new curriculum and discover the treasures of STEM as you dive into these hands-on pirate themed activities. Hoist the anchor and join us for a journey full of discovery and excitement!

  
  I used AI to create this workshop . . . and you can too!

  Discover how AI can enhance your 4-H club! This hands-on workshop explores practical AI tools to improve meetings, streamline activities, and spark creativity, helping you lead with innovation and efficiency.

  
  Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

  Join us to explore the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom program! Oklahoma AITC offers curriculum, FREE resources, and many hands-on activities that are easy to incorporate in a variety of settings. Come experience fun and engaging activities to teach students more about agriculture!

• Workshop Session 3

  2:45-3:45 pm

  Livestock Beyond the Show Arena

  Quiz Bowl? Livestock Judging? Cattle Grading? Skill-A-Thon.? Did you know so many "animal projects" options are available for members to participate in
  that don't require them to own their own animal?!? Come learn more about how to engage your members in these activities that are beneficial to their growth and development. AND they don't require ownership of an animal!

  
  Piggy Banking 101

  Fun-filled, hands-on workshop, that will help volunteers teach 4-Hers all about money. Piggy banking 101 will give several ways to encourage kids to understand the importance of money, budgeting, setting goals, and making smart money choices. Participants will experience games that teach kids of all ages about money.

  
  Igniting a Passion for Visual Arts

  Are you looking to lead a series of lessons that could ignite a young person's passion for Visual Arts? The "4-H Create Art Now" curriculum provides individual lessons that allow volunteers and educators to introduce and teach fundamental skills and techniques of Drawing, Painting, & Sculpting. The curriculum prepares a facilitator to use Experiential Learning, Creative Process, the Elements and Principles of Design, Critical Thinking Skills, and more.

  
  Engage your Club with Games

  Come ready to participate as we learn ice breaker activities and get-to-know-you games to build community within your club

  
  Oklahoma 4-H Rally Dog
  Instruction in best practices for introducing youth to dog training, specifically targeting competition in Rally Dog.

   

  4:00-4:30 - Closing Session

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4-H Marketplace

 

Showcasing 4-H Entrepreneurs

4-H Marketplace is an entrepreneurial experience for 4-H members to showcase their business and sell merchandise related to their 4-H project.  The Market Place was introduced in 2011 at the 4-H State Parent Volunteer Conference.  Youth and volunteers alike learn through the experience.  Youth vendors may showcase their business and offer products for sale as part of the awards luncheon.

 

Through participating in the 4-H Market Place, members may grow in the following area:

• • Financial Management
  • Marketing Strategies
  • Economic Awareness
  • Responsibility
  • Communication Skills

 

• Registration
  • Apply online
  • Application Deadline: May 12, 2025
  • Vendors will be notified by May 16th if accepted
• Agenda

  Date:
  Saturday, June 28th

   

  Location:
  Wes Watkins Center on the Oklahoma State University Campus in Stillwater

   

  Time:

  • • Set up: 10am-11am
    • Exhibit and Sales: 11am-1pm
    • Debriefing Workshop: 1:30pm-2:30pm
      During this workshop, vendors will discuss lessons learned and network with others.
    • Youth vendors will be provided with lunch
• 4-H Youth Vendor Guidelines
  1. Eligibility
     • All vendors must be an ACTIVE 4-H member on ZSuite.
     • Space is limited to 20 vendors, and each vendor will share a table.
     • Each vendor will have half (4’) of a skirted 8’ rectangular table to display and sell.
  2. Application Requirements
     • Application must include a digital marketing slide featuring:

  Vendor’s name, county, and product(s)/business.

  • • This slide will be shown at the opening assembly and luncheon.
    • Slide due June 2nd.
      

  3. Product & Sales Guidelines
     • All items for sale must be handmade or project related.
     • Vendors are responsible for setting their own prices and handling sales transactions.
     • Bring cash for change or have a card reader for transactions.
     • Audience/shoppers include 4-H Volunteers, parents, and Extension staff—keep this in mind when preparing products.
  4. Event Logistics
     • Vendors are responsible for their own setup, sales, and breakdown.
     • There should be very limited adult involvement, this is a youth-led opportunity.
     • Bring a way to transport your products from a distance.
  5. Fees & Participation
     • There is a $5 vendor fee, which will be donated to the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation.
     • Vendors must participate in a debriefing workshop after the event.
  6. Parent Participation
     • Parents of vendors are welcome to register and attend the State 4-H Parent-Volunteer Conference.
     • Parental attendance is not required for a vendor to be accepted.
• Contact

  Danielle Burke via email herfordhillok@gmail.com  or call: (405) 612-2529

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National 4-H Volunteer Conference

 

conference Website