Current Projects

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

We will hike 4 miles in Redwood Regional Park in Oakland on March 13, 5 miles in Wildcat Canyon on April 24, and 6 miles in Briones on May 22. All hikes will be on Sundays at 9:30 am. We will also learn about the history and geography of each park while we hike. Beforehand we’ll review some tips for successful hiking and what to bring along.

AGES:  10+, based on length of hikes (if your child is younger but can handle the distance, we can talk), minimum 3 kids, no max

DATES:  9:30-1:00 on March 13, April 24, May 22

PROJECT FEE:  None

Open to beginners and experienced knitters. Come learn to make fun things with yarn! Scarves, hats, placemats, blankets, socks, handmitts, washcloths…the possibilites are endless! We’ll help you figure out a small project to do based on your experience level.

AGES:  9+, minimum of 3 kids, max 6 kids

DATES:  All meetings on Sundays, 2:00-3:30: April 3, April 24, May 1, May 22.  We will meet outdoors at a park.

PROJECT FEE:  TBD

Project Goals and Content (specifics to be worked out based on youth interests):

• Review urban/rural homesteading concept
• Animals (sheep, guinea fowl, egg chickens, meat chickens, rabbits) and discuss goals, care, predators and lessons learned
• Discuss meat chicken processing and equipment
• Orchard: trees and crops (fruit trees, native trees, berries, vegetables, etc)
• Grape vineyard and the process required to achieve a mature vineyard
• Bees & honey processing process and equipment (TBD if we get into bees or not, depending on weather)
• Greenhouse – propagating your own plants, trees, etc.
• Discuss canning, preserving, etc. the bounty from property
• Supper (between lunch and dinner) in backyard – i.e. individual pizzas or similar

AGES:  All ages, minimum 3 families, max 8 families

DATES:  April 23 and / or May 7, 11:00-5:00, plus a one-hour Zoom meeting to discuss logistics.  Location is in Sebastopol

PROJECT FEE:  None

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 2022 Alameda County Fair. (Historically these pieces have been award winners!)

AGES:  10+, minimum 3 kids, max 6 kids

DATES:  Two Mondays, May 2 & 9, 3:30-6:30, Project leader’s backyard

PROJECT FEE:  $20

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:  $20 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:  apple pie
• Saturday, October 16th from 10.30 to 12:  flower marble cake with chocolate and caramel
• Sunday, November 14th from 10.30 to 12 : marzipan
• Sunday, January 9 from 11:30-12:30:  king cake (Galette des rois)

PROJECT FEE:  none

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 some bacteria-fermented foods like kefir and kombucha gummy jellies.

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. The materials for this session will come from Amino Labs — check out all their cool products and resources.

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, March 5, 2:00-4:00, Lake Temescal
• SAT, April 30, 2:00-4:00, office in Berkeley

PROJECT FEE:  $50