| Explore the Changing Season: Winter in February | |
"Keep your faith in all beautiful things;
In the sun when it is hidden,
In the Spring when it is gone."
-Roy R. Gilson
There is a blanket of snow outside covering most of the ground, signs that winter is well underway. Even with warmer weather in view, there is a slight chill in the air that reminds us that winter isn't over yet.
There are many things that you can do in February to wait out the cold and snow while you dream of spring. Make a cup of hot chocolate and s'mores--even if you do not have a fire, layer a marshmallow on top of chocolate and graham cracker on a cookie sheet and broil for just a minute in the oven. Curl up by a fire and read a book with your mentee. Springtime is just around the corner, which means that gardeners are starting to pour over seed catalogues and plan their gardens. Do you want to learn how to grow strawberries, tomatoes, or green beans? Check with your local libraries or other organizations for one of the many gardening classes held this time of year.
What do you and your mentee like to do when its cold and snowy outside? Share it with us! Go to our Facebook page, linked in the sidebar to the right, and submit pictures you and your mentee take on your activities together or tell a story of your favorite winter-time adventure. It's time to inspire one another!
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| Save the Date for 4-H Mentoring Weekend! |  Those of you who were at last year's Mentoring Weekend have probably been waiting for this moment since you left Kettunen Center. We can just imagine you asking yourself over and over again, "When are they going to tell us about next year's Mentoring Weekend? When will it be?"
The dates for the 4th annual 4-H Mentoring Weekend are July 22nd through the 24th at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, MI! To view a flyer that you can print and hang on your fridge, click here.
When the dates get a little closer, we'll announce how you can get registered for 4-H Mentoring Weekend 4 to get involved in all the fun! Don't take our word for it, this is what some of last year's attendees had to say about 4-H Mentoring Weekend 3!
"For the first time Juan and I worked as a team and let our guard's down, we weren't thinking about mentor/mentee or that I'm older than him, we were working together, so we didn't think about any of our differences"
--Mike (mentor)
"There were so many new activities and experiences, Mentoring Weekend is definitely something I would like to do again!"
--Sydney (mentee)
We hope to see you there! |
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Activity Idea: Cross-country Skiing
| If you would like to pilot these activities or other 4-H Guided Adventure curricula, please contact Kristy Oosterhouse at oosterh6@msu.edu.
 If you are looking for an easy sport this winter, look no further than cross country skiing. Cross country skiing is an invigorating sport that is a fun way to get outside this winter and is also affordable. You do not need to know specific techniques to begin skiing; however, there are a few tips that will make learning to ski easier. The technique used most often in cross country skiing is the diagonal gait. In executing the gait, the left leg and right arm work together in opposition to the right arm and left leg, similar to walking or running. One leg moves forward while the other arm and leg are extended backwards. As the leg moves forward, the arm and pole on the same side should push forward, keeping the arm and pole close to the body to avoid wasted motion. There is a slide or glide in between movements that helps to reduce fatigue. The body should lean slightly forward. It also helps to learn how to recover from a fall. Make sure that your skis are going the same direction and on the correct side of the body. Get up on one knee and use your poles, following with both knees or to one food and on up as you gain your balance. If you fall on a hill, line your skis up across the hill, not up or down the hill. Most cross country ski rentals at local parks range from $5-$10. Check with your local parks to see if they offer ski rentals. Happy skiing!
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Thinking Ahead: Talking it Through
| Sometimes communicating with your mentee, especially about sticky situations, can be difficult. There is a new resource available through Education Northwest's National Mentoring Center that focuses on enhancing communication skills for mentors. The resources is called Talking it Through and is an interactive website designed to build a mentors' self-confidence when communicating with their mentee. The website shares 13 video stories with real mentors, youth and situations that illustrate common challenges and proven strategies that demonstrate how to:
- Handle difficult sutiations
- Empathize with mentees by noticing verbal and nonverbal cues
- Redirect mentee requests that are outside the boundaries of the mentor-mentee relationship
- Help youth identify their options and provide recommendations without judgment or coercion.
The website also includes a journaling feature to keep mentors engaged and save notes and thoughts as you watch the videos. The resource is free to use, all you need to do is sign up!
For more information about Talking it Through, visit http://talkingitthrough.educationnorthwest.org/. |
| Match Highlight: Julie and Sandra |
Article submitted by Kristy Oosterhouse, AmeriCorps Member with STOMP 4-H Youth Mentoring, Eaton County MSU Extension.  Matched in January of 2010, mentor Julie and mentee Sandra have been matched for one year and are looking forward to continue their journey together into 2011. One of their favorite things to do is get together at Julie's house and cook or bake lots of yummy food. Most recently, they made a cake together to celebrate Sandra's birthday. They also love to go to plays at the Wharton Center, watch movies, and go out for a bite to eat.
Julie says that Sandra is an amazing young woman and that it has been a pleasure watching her grow over the past year. "She has a such kind heart", which shines through as Sandra volunteered to help out an elderly woman in her neighborhood and was hired to help care for her. "I look forward to spending more time with her!" |
Seasonal Craft: Mosaics
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 Are you looking for something to do with your mentee on a day when the weather keeps you indoors? Have some fun by creating heart mosaic cards or artwork!
Materials
Colored magazine pages or construction paper
Blank sheet of paper
Glue
Instructions
Tear out small pieces paper from magazine pages in a variety of colors that you would like to use. Plan out your design on the piece of paper. You could fold the paper in half to create a card, or just design artwork that covers the whole page. Card stock or poster board may work better than a regular paper depending on the type of glue that is used. Glue your pieces of paper down onto the blank page. If you made a card, fill the inside with your thoughts on why your mentee is special to you. An example may be "You have made a positive difference in my life and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you for being a friend." |
Did You Know?
|  Valentine's Day is probably one of the more popular holidays in the month of February, but check out these other dates that occur during the month.
17th - Random Acts of Kindness Day - Try to something nice today for a friend or stranger.
22nd - George Washington's Birthday - Birth of the first President of the United States. President's Day, which is celebrated on the third Monday of the month of February (the 21st this year), was created to celebrate George Washington's birthday; however, most states celebrate all presidents on this day.
If you are looking for something to bake this month, its National Cherry Month, so incorporate cherries into your meals! Try this cookie recipe for something sweet to eat:
Cherry Snowballs
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1/2 cup confetioner's sugar
1 Tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 tespoon salt
36 marachino cherries, well drained
Coating:
2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/4 to 1/3 cup milk
2 cup flaked coconut, finely chopped
In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, water and vanilla together. Combine flour, oats and salt and gradually add to the creamed mixture. Shape a tablespoon of dough around each cherry, forming a ball. Place approximately 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until bottoms are browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Combine sugar and enough milk to achieve smooth dipping consistency. Dip the cookies in the mix and then roll in coconut. |
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MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
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