Author: Admin

This project is for our youngest members called Cloverbuds, members age 5-8.

We’ll be using the 4-H iSprout curriculum and members will receive iSprout pins at the end of the project. The activities will center around the four main topics of Knowing Me, Knowing My Family, Knowing 4-H and Knowing My Community. Through this project, we hope to introduce Cloverbuds to some 4-H concepts, help them get to know one another, allow them to sample some hands-on project activities, and support them in doing a simple service activity to reinforce the value of helping our community.

AGES:  5-8

DATES: All meetings on Sundays, 10:00-11:30; locations vary

• October 8
• November 12
• December 10
• January 21
• February 11
• March 24
• April 21

PROJECT FEE: $40-60 for snacks, supplies, materials, iSprout pins. Project fee will vary based on sign-ups and attendance. Actual amounts will be tracked throughout the project and a request for project fee payment will be sent at the end of the project.

We will explore quilt design. Each participant will select fabrics to sew together into a quilt top. Participants may use hand or machine sewing. Machines will be available during the meeting for use. No sewing experience is required to join.

AGES: 9+

DATES:

• Saturday, Sept 30, 2-5 pm
• Saturday, Oct 7, 10-1 pm
• Saturday, Nov 4, 10-1 pm
• Sunday, Dec 3, 10-1 pm

PROJECT FEE: None

(MOC = My Own Creation = custom Lego creations)

Creative expression using a modular interlocking block system (Legos). As a group, we will share and review Lego build ideas, share techniques and resources for builds, experiment and give feedback, and have fun! There is a possible field trip in December to a Lego show in San Jose.

Requirements: BYO Legos. Small amount of pieces will be available.

Lego donations welcome! Any donations not used on projects will be re-homed to future builders.

AGES: 9+ (if younger and very interested, let’s talk)

DATES:

• Session 1 – Zoom (Sept. 25, Monday 5.30-7 p.m.)
  • Introductions, Lego experience
  • “Modular interlocking block system”
  • Tools for evaluating a build (playability, compatibility, function, story telling)
  • useful pieces/blocks/units
• Session 2 — Project leader’s house (October 1, Sunday, 10 a.m. – noon)
  • Group mini-challenges and technique exchange (partners, timed, animal, vehicle, plant)
  • Review individual project goal
  • Start building
  • Feedback
• Session 3 — Project leader’s house (November 5, Sunday, 4-6 p.m. (pizza, too?))
  • Share creations
  • feedback and brainstorms
• Field Trip (December 2 – San Jose – BayLug.org annual show)

PROJECT FEE:  possible fee for field trip

Each participant will make a doll-shop/diorama of a fruit stand. We’ll paint our wooden figurine grocer and shop furniture, and we’ll make our produce out of polymer clay. Dress for a mess. Project is in Alameda (East side; address will be shared by email). Finished fruit stands can be entered in the Alameda County Fair in June/July.  Indoors, masks optional; we’ll have some snacks/lunch.

AGES: 8 and up

DATES:  October 14 & 21, 10am-1pm

PROJECT FEE: $20

Rabbits! We’ll cover all aspects of raising rabbits in a backyard, from simple care and feeding, to how rabbits can contribute to your homestead living experience: making the best fertilizer in the world (poop!), and how to process rabbits. Participants will work on a rabbit skin to go home with. We’ll process a rabbit and cook with it. We’ll also have a chance to cuddle with baby bunnies.

AGES: 11+

DATES: Meetings at project leader’s house in Oakland

• Sunday, Nov 5, 9-12 pm
• Saturday, Feb 3, 9:30-11:30
• Sunday, April 21, 9:30-11:30

PROJECT FEE: $10

We will build one bird house per kid. Depending on age and comfort with tools, the kids will either use only hand tools or possibly get to try out a chop saw. After the project, we will try to place the kestrel boxes in open spaces in the Bay Area.

AGES:  All ages

DATES:  November 18 and 19, 9-12pm

PROJECT FEE:  $30

Come cook with us over Zoom! The whole family can get involved in this fun activity. Sessions may have a “cultural or special food” theme and some will be led by teen leaders. Ingredient lists and prep instructions will be sent out a week in advance. The leader may explain the significance of the savory or sweet food and will demonstrate how to make it, and we will all follow along and make it too. This will be a great way to expand your culinary repertoire and have fun!

AGES:  All ages

DATES:

• Saturday, October 7, 2:00-3:30 (vegetarian fried rice)
• Saturday, November 4, 4:00 to 5:00 pm (Alfredo sauce)
• Sunday, December 10, 2023, 2-4pm (Butter Bean Cacciatore)
• Saturday, January 13, 10:00 to 12:00pm (boeuf bourguignon)
• Saturday, January 27, 4:00 to 5:30pm (Singapore curry noodles and sticky honey garlic beef)
• Sunday, February 25, 4:00 to 5:00 pm (Bolivian Sajta de Pollo)
• Sunday, March 10, 2:00 to 4:00 pm (Arroz con Gandules)
• Sunday, April 14, 4:00 to 5:30pm (Vietnamese imperial rolls w/ vegetarian option)

PROJECT FEE:  none, participants buy their own ingredients

The goal of this project is to learn, together, how to grow, can, and produce food for our own consumption. If there is more than we can eat, perhaps we find ways to sell it (but that is not the priority). And we will also learn about different ways to consume what we grow, for instance, how plants can be used for medicine, for ceremony and cultural uses, and as cover crops to improve soil quality.

The main goal is that kids learn where food is coming from and how we all are part of the ecosystem respecting and honoring mother earth.

AGES:  All ages

DATES:  Saturdays, 2pm at the Cesar Chavez Community Garden

PROJECT FEE: $20

Cardboard Creations is an ode to recycled art, and the wonders that can occur when we repurpose objects otherwise headed for the garbage bin. Each session we will use cardboard, other recycled materials, washi tape, paint, fabrics, pom poms and other fun things to make wild and wonderful creations. Possible sessions: shoe box theaters with popsicle stick puppets, box towns, giant donuts and self-portraits.

AGES:  All ages

DATES:  Afterschool on weekdays TBD

PROJECT FEE:  none

OPEN TO NEW PARTICIPANTS AND RETURNING PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

This project will be taught by an experienced golfer, high school golf coach and golf instructor with the PGA HOPE program, where he introduces golf to veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.

This will be a great introduction to the wonderful sport of golf! Or if you already have some experience with it, feel free to sign up too.

We will be meeting at Metropolitan Golf Links, 10051 Doolittle Dr, Oakland, CA 94603.

Our sessions will be segmented into three parts with practice on the putting green, in the short game chipping area, and the golf driving range.

In addition, during one of our sessions, we may connect with some veterans in the PGE HOPE program.

AGES: All

DATES:

• Sunday, Oct 22, 2-4 pm
• Sunday, Nov 12, 2-4 pm
• Sunday, Dec 17, 2-4 pm
• Sunday, April 28, 2-4 pm
• Sunday, May 5, 2-4 pm
• Sunday, June 2, 2-4 pm

PROJECT FEE: None

Learn a little bit about how cut and stamped leathercraft works. Take 2 trips to to the Tandy Leather Store and get to know local leathercraft resources. Make a leather coaster, belt, bracelet, small pouch or simple item. Learn additional content about leather tanning, artisans, etc.

AGES: 9+

DATES:  Feb 4, Feb 25, 3rd date TBD, at Tandy Leather in Fremont from 4-6pm (we will carpool)

PROJECT FEE: None

If you like making cards at our meetings, come to this one-day workshop to have more time and materials to make fantastic valentines to give to the seniors in the Meals on Wheels program. We’ll use a variety of materials to make as many cards as you’d like – tissue paper, water colors, paints, pom poms etc.

AGES: All

DATES: Sunday, February 11, 12:30-2:30 pm, project leader’s house in Emeryville

PROJECT FEE: None

Public speaking skills are ranked #1 among the skill sets of professionals, and Presentation Day provides a chance to improve those skills in a judgment-free environment while learning and teaching people about something you love and are passionate about.

Presentation Day is an annual Alameda County event. All 13 4-H clubs in Alameda County can participate. This year’s event will take place on March 15 over Zoom or on March 17 in-person at the Creekside Community Church in San Leandro.

This is a fun event and we want to help you prepare! In this 3-day workshop, we will help you decide what kind of presentation to create, work with you to build it, and help you practice presenting it.

AGES: All

DATES:

• Sunday, Feb 18, 11-1
• Sunday, Mar 3, 10-12
• Sunday, Mar 10, 10-12

PROJECT FEE: None

Learn to do simple counted cross-stitch embroidery. You’ll learn how to start the stitch, make the cross stitch, and then secure it. Once you’ve learned the cross stitch, you’ll be able to use it to create all kinds of cute patterns by simply putting them together in different formations and using different colors of thread. We will work to complete a project and your finished work could be entered in the summer Fair!

AGES: 9+

DATES: Feb 11th 10am-noon, and two other dates on Mar 2-3 weekend and Mar 23-24 weekend. At project leader’s house in Oakland

PROJECT FEE: None

The Rising Stars’ Team is hosting a county-wide International Field Day on April 13 to learn about the culture, food and needs of various countries and we need YOUR help! Each Club chooses a country they wish to showcase. There are several components to the showcase and clubs will be evaluated on them along with club participation. The desired components include:

• Informational Poster. Recommendations: Large tri-fold or similar. Information may include a map, cultural information, fun facts, favorite foods, and should be attractive. Poster should also include information on and links (QR codes?) to a cause or causes benefitting the peoples of your chosen country.
• Food Samples. Small samples of a food from your chosen country. Please provide information on contents, especially common allergens.
• Activity or Game. Choose a fairly simple game or activity that can be done at your table. The game/activity should reflect your chosen country.
• Performance. All clubs are asked to do a short skit, dance, monologue or song that relates to your chosen country
• Not all components are required. In order to participate your club must choose a country and include a poster and game/activity at your table. The performance and food samples are optional but WILL be included on the club evaluation scores.
• Prizes: Certificates for: Best Poster, Best Performance . People’s Choice Awards for Best Food, Best Game/Activity. OVERALL AWARD will be given to club with best complete Booth and Performance and will be a basket of treats for the club to share with their members at their next club meeting.

AGES: All

DATES: TBD in Feb and March

PROJECT FEE: None

Let’s explore some cities together! Project will be 3 sessions, one each in March, April & May, on a weekend day. Each session will probably be about 3 hours.

• Session 1: Scavenger Hunt Along the Berkeley Paths, March 23
• Session 2: Exploring Emeryville’s Public Art, April 20
• Session 3: Urban Geocaching in Oakland, May 11

AGES: All

PROJECT FEE: $3-7

This project offers an introduction to free-hand cursive writing and elements of intricate collage technique. Project participants will create art pieces using hand lettering and three-dimensional collage to make a beautiful hand decorated and framed quotation in a shadow box. Students who have taken this project before are welcome to do so again. If desired, finished pieces can be entered in the 2024 Alameda County Fair. (Historically these pieces have been award winners!)

AGES: 10+

DATES: Tuesdays March 19 & 26, 4-7pm

PROJECT FEE: $25

Choose a theme, a favorite book, movie, or place for example and use your creativity to design a menu and place setting around it. Use appropriate service & utensils and make sure the setting matches the items on the menu. Nothing edible or alive may be a part of the display.

Fair Guidelines: Single table setting limited to 24’x 24″ with a 15″ height limit. A 24’x 24″ piece of sturdy cardboard, wood, or foam board covered with fabric or paper is required as the base of the setting. All components must be placed only on this board.

Entries will be delivered to the Fair, date TBD, but sometime in June.

Judging Standards: 25% Overall Appearance, 50% Functionality, 25% Creativity

AGES: 9+

DATES: 4/24, 5/1, 5/8 and 5/15, 3:30-5:30 at project leader’s house in Emeryville

PROJECT FEE:  None

Do you think rocks rock? I do, too! In this project, we’ll do hands-on activities to learn about rocks, minerals, and our corner of the Earth. Possible topics include: identifying rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, interpreting geological maps, microscope images of rocks, processes that formed the Bay Area, and Bay Area + California geology.

I’m a former club member (E 4-H 2015-2021), and I’m currently studying geology at the University of British Columbia. I’d like to learn more about the geology where I grew up, so let me know if you’re interested in joining me!

AGES:  Open to all ages – all activities will likely have two versions for younger and older members

DATES:  TBD. Sessions will be mostly hands-on activities to learn about rocks and Bay Area geology.

• Session 1: Minerals
• Session 2: Rocks + Rock Cycle
• Session 3: Bay Area Tectonics
• Session 4: Bay Area geology – Joaquin Miller field trip
• Session 5: Bay Area geology – Sibley field trip

PROJECT FEE:  $5

In early December, EBMUD rangers will lead the club in collecting buckeye seeds at Lafayette Reservoir, learning about the unique species and the watershed along the way. Members will take the seeds home, and follow ranger direction to sprout the seeds and care for the plants through the winter. Seeds can be grown in repurposed 1-gallon containers, such as milk of juice bottles. Near the end of winter (March), club members will take the trees to Lafayette Reservoir and work with rangers to plant them.

AGES:  All ages

DATES: Seed collection: Sunday, December 5, 2021, 2-4 pm;  Tree planting: approx. March 2022

PROJECT FEE:  None

Come cook with us! The whole family can get involved in this fun activity. Sessions will have a “cultural or special food” theme and some will be led by teen leaders. Ingredient lists will be sent out in advance. The leader will explain the significance of the savory or sweet food and demonstrate how to make it, and we will all follow along and make it too. This will be a great way to have fun and expand your culinary repertoire.

AGES:  All ages, minimum 4 kids, no max

DATES:  All sessions over Zoom

• Sunday, February 6, 1:30-3:30 (California bay nut truffles)
• Sunday, March 6, 12:00-2:00 (Ecuadorian ceviche with cancha)
• Sunday, April 3, 11:00-1:00 (TBD)
• May date TBD (Japanese gyoza)

PROJECT FEE:  None, but you will have to buy your own ingredients

Come be a part of the fastest growing sport in the U.S.  Fun for all ages! No experience needed!  We will have 4 courts plus plenty of paddles and balls for everyone.  We will learn about serving, dinking, the kitchen (don’t go in there!)

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions if you aren’t sure this is for you (we assure you, it is!!)

AGES:  7+, minimum 4 kids, max 16 kids

DATES: Three Saturdays:  March 12, 19, 26, 2-4p at Bushrod Park, Oakland

PROJECT FEE:  None