Helpful Information: Workshops held at the Agricultural Resources Center, 1175 South Brady Ave, Newton, unless otherwise noted. Payment is needed to confirm your registration. Refunds are not made unless the workshop is cancelled due to weather or low registration. 4-H’ers may use scholarship money to pay for classes of their choice. Summer scholarships are available, email
to for an application. Payment must be made to confirm your spot in the classes.
Dirt Diggers: June 4 / 1:00 to 4:00 pm / Ages 6- 9 / Cost $15 / Instructors: Kelli and Selah Sigmon - Would you like to learn more about plants? Discover plants in the garden, propagate your own plant, and make a tasty treat using fresh produce.
College Caravan: June 4-6, 8 am to 4 pm (approx.) / Drop off and pick up to be determined / 9th to 11th graders / Cost $50 / Instructor: Holly Ellwanger, Juntos Coordinator - Finding the right college can be a challenge, but also exciting. Join Juntos 4-H for our summer College Caravan. We will learn more about the college selection process and tour a few schools while we are at it.
Bird Adventure: June 5 / 8:30 am to 12 pm / Ages 9 and up / Drop off and pick up at Riverbend Park / Cost $10 / Instructor: Emily Kanupp - Discover the wonders of nature as you embark on a fun-filled hike. We will be learning about local bird species, how to identify them, and doing some bird watching.
Basic Ballet: June 6 / 10 am to 12 pm / Ages 7 to 11 / Cost $10 / Instructors: Sylvia and Lupita Ortiz - Unleash your grace and elegance with basic ballet. Learn to stretch, leap and dance like a prima ballerina.
Teen Cooking Challenge: June 10 / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm / Ages 13- 18 / Cost $20 / Instructors: Kelli Sigmon and Sue Stulpin - Teens are you ready for a cooking challenge? Compete as teams to create a healthy meal. As a team, you will plan your meal, shop for your ingredients, prepare your meal, and present your meal to the judges.
Civic Spark: June 11 - 13 / 9:00 am - 3:00 pm / Ages 11 and up / Cost $50 / We will take a trip to Greensboro and Cherokee, class hours will be extended to accommodate travel time. - Increase your community involvement by joining our three day Civic Spark workshop. We will be visiting The International Civil Rights Center and Museum in Greensboro and the Museum of the Cherokee People in Cherokee, NC. Participants will be exposed to different nationalities, cultures, customs, and become more globally aware. 4-H’ers will learn about making positive changes within their communities.
4-H Chopped: June 17 / 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm / Ages 9-12 / Cost $20 / Instructors: Kelli Sigmon, Sue Stulpin and 4-H Teen Cooks Club - Calling all aspiring chefs! Come join us for a friendly cooking competition. Compete as teams in a 4-H version of "Chopped," complete with a mystery ingredient that you will have to use in your dish.
Arbor Trekkers: June 19 / 9:00 am - 12 pm / Ages 9 and up / Drop off and pick up at Baker’s Mountain Park / Cost $10 / Instructor: Emily Kanupp - Join us for a unique hiking experience that combines adventure with tree exploration. We will be doing fun tree activities and learning about local tree species.
The Mystery of the Underground: June 20 / 9:00 am - 12:30 pm / Ages 11 and up / Cost: $10 / Instructor: Isaac Carter - Do you like people? Are you observant? Think you can solve a mystery? Then come discover who the culprit is as you listen to the Storyteller and talk amongst yourselves to solve the mystery of the Underground.
Art Exploration: June 21 / 10:00 am to 3:30 pm / Ages 11 and up / Cost $40 / Instructors: Mary Doughty and Isaac Carter - Learn the basics of watercolors and paint pouring. Youth will explore how to manipulate watercolors and create beautiful works of art. Use paint pouring to create your own one of a kind masterpiece and learn different techniques and textures within your own art.
Mini Society: June 24 - 28 / 9:30 am to 3:00 pm / Ages 9 to 13 / Cost $50 / Instructors: Donna Mull, Catawba County 4-H Agent and Christie German, Gaston County 4-H Agent - Youth will create their own Mini-Society. You will have the chance to name your town, create a system for earning money, design your money, apply for jobs, and maybe even be mayor. Learn economic and business basics as you create a business and buy and sell with other Mini Society citizens (no outside selling allowed). The series ends with an auction and youth-only market designed by mini-society participants.
Farm to Table: July 9 - 11 / 9 am to 4 pm / Ages 9 and up / Cost $65 / Instructor: April Vigardt, Local Foods Agent - Begin the day with a visit to a nearby farm and/or farmers market and learn how things grow. Then return to the Extension office for kitchen time. 4-H'ers will learn how to turn farm produce into yummy new recipes.
Chesscalibur: July 15 / 9 am to 12 pm / Ages 9 and up / Cost $20 / Instructor: Hunter Sherman - With Excalibur in hand, King Arthur defeated 400 enemies in battle. By learning the basics, this class will be your first step to greatness on the chess board.
Animal Science: July 16 - July 17 / 9:30 am to 4 pm / Ages 10 and up / Cost $50 / Instructor: Carson Johnson, Livestock Area Agent - Embark on a journey with us to discover the fascinating world of animals by visiting various farms and facilities. Through observations, interactions, and lessons, we will deepen our knowledge of animal science.
Sew Much Fun: July 24 / 9 am to 12 pm / Ages 9 and up / Cost $30 / Instructor: Joy Everett - Learn how to operate a sewing machine and the basics of sewing. 4-H'ers will work on a sewing project and be able to take it home at the end of this 2 day session.
Aerospace Adventure: July 30 - August 1 / 10 am to 3 pm / Ages 12 and up / Cost $50 / Instructor: Tom Dyson. We will be placing rocket orders and 4-H’ers must reserve their spot by June 24th. - Join our journey of discovery into the realm of flight. Build and launch a rocket while learning about aerodynamics. Enrich your understanding as we visit an aviation museum.
Mighty Pollinators: August 5, August 8, and August 9 / 9 am to 12 pm / Ages 9 and up / Cost $10 / Instructors: Catawba County Beekeepers Association. - Get up close and personal with the miraculous world of pollinators! Suit up like a real beekeeper to get an in-depth look inside a honey bee hive.
STEM Exploration: August 6/ 9 am to 12 pm / Ages 6 to 10 / Cost $10 / Instructors: Selah Sigmon and Lupita Ortiz - Join us for a day filled with discovery and fun! Let your creative side run free as we make some music with our Makey-Makey kits. Students will explore STEAM activities and challenges.
Watercolor Retreat: August 7 / 9 am to 12 pm / Ages 9 and up / Cost $20 / Instructor: Emily Kanupp - Join us on a journey of discovery as we use watercolors to create stunning works of art inspired by the beauty of nature.
Adulting 101: August 12 - August 13 / 9:30 am to 3:00pm / Ages 11 and up / Cost $25 / Donna Mull, Catawba County 4-H Agent and Christie German, Gaston County 4-H Agent - Adulting is being able to do grown-up things and handle life’s responsibilities. Learn basic life skills such as financial literacy, sewing, meal planning, cooking, and much more to figure out how to live successfully in todays world.
