Current Projects

This project is for our youngest members called Cloverbuds, members ages 5-8. We will introduce Cloverbuds to some of the 4-H concepts, like the pledge, and talk about how our club works using hands-on activities, games and group discussions. There will be 6 sessions, roughtly one per month. We will strive to have the sessions be in-person and outdoors, but some may have to be via Zoom. The sessions will have the following themes: Introduction, Head, Heart, Hands, Health, and the County Fair.

AGES:  5-8, minimum 3 kids, no max

DATES:  Options will be Friday late afternoons or Saturday or Sunday mornings. Once the group is finalized, we will determine a schedule that works for the group.

PROJECT FEE:  $15 for materials and supplies

During the Drama Project, participants will learn a variety of theatre games and improvisations and will utilize creative play in order to spark ideas for original group-devised theatre pieces. At the end of the last meeting a “Show and Share” will be presented to families and friends. We will share part of the performance at the November club meeting, either through video or live on Zoom (Participants will decide how). This will be an in-person project on four weekend afternoons. Participants will be masked.

There is a possibility that we could use my school’s theatre space at Albany Middle School. If that works out, there will be a small project fee. Outside groups must rent the space. Also, I want to check everyone’s comfort level with meeting indoors. I would keep the doors open and the air purifier on in the theatre like I have been doing for school. If people are not comfortable with that, we could meet at Shorebird Park at the Berkeley Marina. There is a grassy field and a small stage we could use on a first come-first served basis. If we meet in a park, there will be no project fee. Masks will be required either way.

AGES:  This project is for ages 9 and up (If you are a mature 8 year old who really wants to do this, please sign up.); minimum 5 kids, maximum 15

PROPOSED DATES:

• Saturdays from 2-4
  • Oct. 9
  • Oct. 16
  • Oct. 23
  • Nov. 6
  • OR- I do have some Sundays available. Please sign up, and we will figure out times that work for everyone.

PROJECT FEE:  TBD, see note above

Craft + activism = craftivism. In this project we’ll explore what it means to be a “craftivist”. Each time you participate in crafting you are making a difference, whether it’s fighting against materialism or making items for charity or something betwixt and between. Crafting helps us to connect beyond ourselves. Whether we’re connecting with someone next door or across the globe. Craft and activism both take and inspire passion. When used as a joint force, they can quite possibly begin to slowly challenge and change things. We will work together to find causes that inspire us and ways for us to create in support of our passions.

AGES:  All; minimum 3 kids, max 8

PROPOSED DATES:  TBD – possibly weekend mornings

PROJECT FEE:  $10 (snacks/supplies)

Have you ever noticed the trash everywhere and wanted to do something about it? Here’s your chance! We will use grabbers and go around to different areas to pick up trash. I will provide the grabbers, trash bags, hand sanitizer, and gloves. Everyone is welcome to bring a lunch and snacks to enjoy outdoors. There will also be time to do some fun activities like throwing a frisbee around and other games. The project will be taking place on 2 Saturdays, weather permitting. All ages are welcome!!

AGES: All ages (Younger kids will need parent participation, but a great family activity!), minimum 3 kids, no max

PROPOSED DATES:

• Nov 13, 11:00-1:30
• Dec 11, 11:00-1:30

PROJECT FEE:  $10

Come out for a group bicycle exploration of The Bay Trail.

WHO: anyone willing to ride 5-10 miles, possibly on some gravel roads.

WHAT: group bicycle ride to historically and / or naturally significant areas. May include a scavenger hunt-style list.

AGES:  8 and up, minimum 3 kids, no max

PROPOSED DATES:

• Sunday, Nov 7, approx 9:00-11:00
• Sunday, Dec 12, approx 9:00-11:00

PROJECT FEE:  $0

During this project, we will learn how to make desserts that are both good-looking and good-tasting. We will practice collaborating as we cook, and share the fruits of our labor together.

AGES: All, but younger kids will probably need some adult help, minimum 3 kids, no max

PROPOSED DATES:

• Sunday, September 26th from 10.30 to 12: Let’s play with dough (apple pie recipe) (ZOOM)
• Saturday, October 16th from 10.30 to 12: Let’s play with chocolate and caramel (ZOOM)
• Sunday, November 14th from 10.30 to 12 : Marzipan and Christmas cookies preparation (ZOOM)
• Monday, December 6th, 5 to 6.30: Let’s meet in our back yard around a fire, share our Christmas cookies and bake small Saint Nicolas brioche (IN-PERSON)

PROJECT FEE:  $5-10 TBD

Do you want to unlock the mysteries of space exploration?! Join Galactic Quest! You’ll participate in four space-related activities: Stellar Optics, Cipher Space, Astro Adventure, and Cosmic Claw. In Stellar Optics we’ll start with the stars. We’ll explore principles of light and construct a simple telescope. In Cipher Space we’ll learn about concepts of cybersecurity and protecting assets in space. You’ll use a Caesar cipher wheel to decode a secret message and encrypt and decipher words. In Astro Adventure we’ll play a board game about the resources needed for space exploration and where they can be found. Finally, in Cosmic Claw you’ll use the Engineering Design Process to design, build, and operate a robotic claw. Cool, right?

AGES: 3rd grade and up, minimum 5 kids, no max

PROPOSED DATES:  We will probably meet outside at a park in South Berkeley

• Sat. 11/13, 2-4pm
• Sat. 11/20, 2-3:30pm
• Sat. 12/4, 2-3:30pm

PROJECT FEE:  $20 for the kit

Fall/Winter, likely extension or repeat in Spring

During 4-H Weaving, new and continuing students will learn what different parts of the loom do and how a loom works as well as how to plan, measure, prep your loom, weave a piece of cloth or an inkle band. Students will all have the chance to work on a loom and complete a simple project. Returning students can begin or finish more complex projects. Kids will get a loom to work on and take that loom home to work on between project meetings.

Depending on student interest and timing, we may also explore: how to recognize and understand different textile techniques (e.g., weaving, tatting, knitting, bobbin lace, card weaving), as well as yarn chemistry—how to tell what a fiber is without a label

AGES: 10+, depending on space and prior fiber experience, age 9 students may be able to participate, maximum 6 kids

PROPOSED DATES:  Tentative dates will be Sunday Afternoons 1:00-3:00:

• October 10
• October 24
• November 7
• Meetings will be held in the back yard at my house, masked though we may do an initial meeting or quick (i.e., 30 min) interim check-in meetings to support project work over Zoom.

PROJECT FEE:  No project fee, though if students have yarn they can work with that (not required)—all materials will be provided except for scissors, pencil, paper.

In this project, I will be teaching students to paint miniature figures, for D&D or just for display pieces. We will learn techniques like basing, wet-blending, and drybrushing, as well as basic skills like brush control and color choice. I will be teaching from a new miniature this time, so returning students will have as much to gain as new ones. This will be an in-person project at my house, so masks will be required.

AGES: 10+, minimum 3 kids, maximum 6

PROPOSED DATES:

• Oct. 10, 11-1
• Oct 24, 11-1
• Nov 7, 1pm at Games of Berkeley. On this day, we will pick personal miniatures to paint
• Nov. 14, 11-2

PROJECT FEE: There will be a $10-15 project fee, which will pay for materials. Every student will end this project with at least one painted miniature and a set of paints and brushes.

While it’s true that some bacteria are harmful, so many bacteria are incredibly beneficial and really, we couldn’t survive without them. In this project, we’ll learn together about different kinds of beneficial bacteria. In the sessions we’ll be doing various experiments, many of which will take some time to develop and grow. So, in between the sessions, we will be communicating with each other via email, sending status updates and photos, so that we can all share how our experiments are going.

Session 1 will be in-person and we will learn that bacteria are all around us. We will create our own ecosystem of bacteria from mud or dirt and watch it grow. This is called a Winogradsky column.

Session 2 will be online and we’ll learn about the beneficial bacteria inside of us in our microbiome. We’ll make kombucha gummy jellies and maybe another bacteria-fermented food.

Session 3 will be in-person and over 2 days. We’ll learn about the role of bacteria in biotechnology. We’ll make BioArt, or living art, by painting on small petri dishes with bacteria that has been genetically engineered to fluoresce color. As part of this session, we’ll also make a DIY Incubator which will help our BioArt to grow.

Session 4 will be in-person and we’ll learn about bacteria’s very important role in the environment and the nitrogen cycle. Without nitrogen-fixing bacteria all of the green growth you see around you and many of the food crops we eat would not be possible. In this session, we’ll grow some clover plants with and without nitrogen-fixing bacteria to observe any differences.

Our final session will also be in-person and we will investigate the bacteria in our every day lives. We’ll take samples from surfaces around us and attempt to grow bacteria from those samples to see what happens. Together we’ll figure out some inquiries to make like do natural remedies like tea tree oil have antibacterial properties?

AGES: 6th grade and up, minimum 4 kids, maximum 8

PROPOSED DATES (we may need to tweak based on group’s availability):

• SAT, Nov 6, 10 am-12 pm, Lake Temescal
• SUN, Dec 12, 2:00-3:30, ZOOM
• SAT, Jan 15, 10 am-12 pm, office in Berkeley ?
• SUN, Jan 16, 10 am-12 pm, office in Berkeley ?
• SAT, Feb 26, 2:00-4:00, Lake Temescal
• SUN, April 3, 2:00-4:00, office in Berkeley ?

PROJECT FEE:  estimated $50-70. I’m still working out the costs, and it will also depend on the number of members enrolled. I’ll try to keep it as low as I can. Please reach out if cost is an issue and we can work something out.

Learn sailing basics and spend some time on the water in our beautiful Bay. We’ll be sailing out of Clipper Cove on Treasure Island and using boats from TISC, Treasure Island Sailing Center.

AGES: 11 and up, but please sign up if your child is interested and not quite 11, but you feel they could handle this. Project leader will contact you to discuss, and based on demand for the project, he may be able to accommodate; minimum 3 kids, maximum 6

DATES: Monday, October 11, plus a potential Zoom session prior to Oct 11, and perhaps a follow-up sailing excursion, depending on interest

PROJECT FEE:  TBD, maybe a small one