2023 Rec Lab Workshop Descriptions

Workshop 1/2  2 Hour Workshop // DO NOT CHOOSE A WORKSHOP FOR SESSION 1 or 2 //

Extreme Teambuilding 

Campbell Barrett 

There’s nothing like a little fear and uncertainty to bond a group together.  Join us in learning some real team challenges that will literally force us to all work together to succeed.  Enhance your communication skills, learn to think creatively, problem solve, and trust your teammates in order to overcome challenges.  You can use these activities with Officer Teams, Teen Councils, Camp Counselor Trainings, etc.  

Coin Rings 

Kodie Olsen 

Participants will create a ring from a quarter.  

Kwin’s Dancing Rendezvous 

Kwin Briscoe 

A super-fun team building experience packed full of some of the most fun dances around.  

Swinging Into Success 

Ambassador Officer Team 

Dancing requires both trust and social skills, which are important parts of leadership. In order to bring others along in your leadership journey, you need to connect with others. Swing dancing is a way for people of all personality types to practice stepping out of their comfort zone and make important social connections. In this workshop we use fun activities to help participants practice how to reach out to their peers. We will practice talking to others and asking people to dance, all while learning cool new moves. This workshop will stretch students in both their leadership skills and their dancing skills. 

Cowboy Cooking 

Roubie Younkin 

Dutch ovens have played an important part of cooking for mountain men, gold miners, pioneers, loggers, explorers, trappers, cowboys, settlers, or even campers and hunters of today.  Dutch oven cooking is one of the oldest and remains one of the most popular methods of out-of-doors cooking. Back in the days when most every meal was fixed over an open hearth, one tool that was indispensable for quality cooking was the Dutch Oven. Lewis and Clark listed it as their most essential piece of equipment during their great Northwestern trek in the early 1800's.  

The most important fact about the Dutch oven though, is that it makes cooking fun and easy. And the end result is delicious. This workshop will cover Dutch Oven cooking from start to delicious finish. 

Session 1 – One hour Workshop

Livestock Water Quality  

Marley Manoukian 

Have you ever wondered if the water you are providing your 4-H livestock is safe for them to drink? During this workshop, we will discuss water quality and suitability as it relates to livestock use. You will be able to practice testing the quality of different water samples using both test strips and handheld meters to test mystery water quality samples for livestock water suitability. You will then interpret whether samples are safe, low risk, or high risk for livestock based on total salt, sulfate, and nitrate concentrations. The MSU Livestock Water Quality MontGuide will be used to help you with interpretations and help you determine if the water you have tested is suitable for your 4-H animal to consume. 

Supporting Pollinators 

Andrea Berry 

Learn about and be able to identify MT pollinators. Learn their habitat and food needs, the need for access to native plants, and ways everyone can make their homes and communities healthier places for pollinators to live. Take home seeds to plant. 

Chilling With Icebreakers 

Cassandra Cox 

Is there really such a thing as too many ice breakers? Come test out some new activities that will get you thinking, moving, and getting to know each other better. 

Making An Impression On Leather 

Laynee Simpson 

Montana's history included being self-sufficient and using materials that were available to make items for daily use.  Leather was one of these available resources.  This workshop will cover the basics of leatherwork.  Participants will design, stamp and stain leather in this workshop where they create their own key chain.   

Blacksmith Basics 

Jack Bazemore 

In the time period we are portraying all metal work was done by hand forging.  Early homesteaders had to have a basic knowledge of metal working because the nearest blacksmith could be miles and miles away. In this workshop we will do a demonstration of some basic blacksmithing concepts and of the historical importance of blacksmithing.  

Escape the Trapper’s Cabin 

Shelley Mills 

Can you complete the challenges and escape the Trapper's cabin?  You are given 1 hour to find all the clues, solve the puzzles, and escape the cabin before a catastrophe happens! 

Making Club Meetings Fun & Interactive  

Sharla Sackman 

Are your club meetings dull and boring?  How can decision-making be fun?  In this workshop you will learn techniques to make your club meetings more interactive.  Tools for brainstorming and decision-making will be demonstrated. 

Session 2 – One Hour Workshop

Rustic Prairie Dishcloth 

Janell Barber & Amanda Williams 

Got dishes from your chuckwagon meal? After this workshop, you will be hooked on making a dishcloth sturdy enough to use on the prairie.  We are sure to get you hooked on crocheting. No experience necessary.  

Ice Breaker Activities 

Victoria Kirby 

In this workshop you will be able to learn more icebreaker activities to bring back to your counties.  There will be a variety of different ones to better get to know each other. These icebreakers will be a variety you can use on Cloverbuds all the way to senior members.  

What’s that Over There? 

Cody Ream 

This game will test your knowledge about things you might see as you travel across the great state of Montana.  Everything from cows and crops to historic locations and people.  If you might see it, I might ask about it.  

A Dog-Gone Good Time 

Olivia Fletes 

Come and learn all about the 4-H dog project! You will learn how to get started in the project, as well as basic dog training and showmanship techniques. After talking about different dog sports and events, there will be a hands-on opportunity to try dog agility. It's going to be a doggone good time! 

The Landscape Speaks 

Claudia Andrade 

The Montana landscape is a remarkable place, and the vegetation here can tell us so much! In this workshop we will explore some of Montana’s native plants, how to identify major plant families, and develop a deeper understanding of the traditional uses of discussed plants and how they impacted the lives of those before us.  Practicing a variety of field journaling techniques, this class will include a combination of interactive presentation materials, hands on activities, and games.  The ability to connect with the vegetation around us and to share that information with others can increase the appreciation we have for the great outdoors and allow for deeper connection with one another.  

Buffalo and Beaver and Foxes, Oh My! 

Inga Hawbaker & Jack Bazemore 

Buffalo and beaver and foxes, oh my! Participants will take part in a fun, interactive activity while learning about the many different species of wildlife that continue to roam the region's mixed grass prairie, their importance to the ecosystem, and the historical role they played in the well-known traditional trade system, the fur trade. 

Blue Belles & Parli-Pro 

Cassandra Cox  

The Fergus/ Petroleum County Blue Belles are excited to return to Rec Lab as they host an interactive workshop highlighting parliamentary procedure. You will learn how to run a meeting, introduce motions, and navigate different situations using parli-pro. 

Session 3 – One Hour Workshop

The Unknown Workshop 

Cassandra Cox 

You may not know what you are getting into, but why not take a chance. It could be fun though. 

Life Skills for Adulting 

Brett Schomer & Judy Smith 

It is the night before your first adult job interview, and you look in your closet for that dress shirt. It looks like a truck ran over it and is missing two buttons. What will you do? Do you have the skills to fix this, or do you have to go buy a new shirt? Get your hands-on on some life skills, like sewing on a button, ironing a shirt, and planning a simple menu. Adulting isn't always easy and there are some things everyone should know how to do too. Get ahead of the curve early and ready to head out on your own. 

Break The Ice 

Josie Evenson 

This workshop will work members through a variety of ice breakers that they can use at club meetings, as a camp counselor or any time that they need engage others. 

Dance, Dance, Dance! 

Sharla Sackman 

In this dance workshop you will learn to jitterbug and learn a couple of fun line dances.   

East Meets West: Experience the Land of the Rising Sun 

Jesse Fulbright & Reito Inoue

Experiencing a different culture is a life-changing event.  Have you ever considered being part of a cultural exchange?  There are opportunities for youth out there. Come find out how you can travel and gain new life experiences through the 4-H program. Immerse yourself for an hour into the Japanese culture and learn several introductory Japanese phrases, cultural differences between the U.S. and Japan, simple Japanese games and songs and even a surprise Japanese treat at the end of the session! 

Blacksmith Basics 

Jack Bazemore 

In the time period we are portraying all metal work was done by hand forging.  Early homesteaders had to have a basic knowledge of metal working because the nearest blacksmith could be miles and miles away. In this workshop we will do a demonstration of some basic blacksmithing concepts and of the historical importance of blacksmithing.  

Escape the Trapper’s Cabin 

Shelley Mills 

Can you complete the challenges and escape the Trapper's cabin?  You are given 1 hour to find all the clues, solve the puzzles, and escape the cabin before a catastrophe happens! 

A Dog-Gone Good Time 

Olivia  

Come and learn all about the 4-H dog project! You will learn how to get started in the project, as well as basic dog training and showmanship techniques. After talking about different dog sports and events, there will be a hands-on opportunity to try dog agility. It's going to be a doggone good time! 

Making An Impression On Leather 

Laynee Simpson 

Montana's history included being self sufficient and using materials that were available to make items for daily use.  Leather was one of these available resources.  This workshop will cover the basics of leatherwork.  Participants will design, stamp and stain leather in this workshop where they create their own key chain.   

Keep it In the Bag 

Janell Barber 

Let’s converge to sew a quick and simple snap-closing bag for those small essentials you will need to take along on your next excursion.  Handouts will be available for you to use to teach others when you return home.  No sewing experience needed.  

The Landscape Speaks 

Claudia Andrade 

The Montana landscape is a remarkable place, and the vegetation here can tell us so much! In this workshop we will explore some of Montana’s native plants, how to identify major plant families, and develop a deeper understanding of the traditional uses of discussed plants and how they impacted the lives of those before us.  Practicing a variety of field journaling techniques, this class will include a combination of interactive presentation materials, hands on activities, and games.  The ability to connect with the vegetation around us and to share that information with others can increase the appreciation we have for the great outdoors and allow for deeper connection with one another. 

Swinging Into Success 

Ambassador Officer Team 

Dancing requires both trust and social skills, which are important parts of leadership. In order to bring others along in your leadership journey, you need to connect with others. Swing dancing is a way for people of all personality types to practice stepping out of their comfort zone and make important social connections. In this workshop we use fun activities to help participants practice how to reach out to their peers. We will practice talking to others and asking people to dance, all while learning cool new moves. This workshop will stretch students in both their leadership skills and their dancing skills. 

Workshop 4/5– Two Hour Sessions // DO NOT CHOOSE A WORKSHOP FOR SESSION 4 or 5 //

Extreme Team Building  

Campbell Barrett 

There's nothing like a little fear and uncertainty to bond a group together. Join us in learning some real team challenges that will literally force us to all work together to succeed. Enhance your communication skills, learn to think creatively, problem solve and trust your teammates in order to overcome challenges. You can use these activities with Officer Teams, Teen Councils, Camp Counselor trainings, etc. 

Coin Rings 

Kodie Olsen 

Participants will create a ring from a quarter.  

Swinging Into Success 

Ambassador Officer Team 

Dancing requires both trust and social skills, which are important parts of leadership. In order to bring others along in your leadership journey, you need to connect with others. Swing dancing is a way for people of all personality types to practice stepping out of their comfort zone and make important social connections. In this workshop we use fun activities to help participants practice how to reach out to their peers. We will practice talking to others and asking people to dance, all while learning cool new moves. This workshop will stretch students in both their leadership skills and their dancing skills. 

Shear Fiber Frenzy 

Janell Barber 

Designed to get youth interested in the fiber side of sheep.  We will discuss wool facts and then complete a hands-on activity using wool fiber.  

Kwin’s Dancing Rendezvous 

Kwin Briscoe 

A super-fun team building experience packed full of some of the most fun dances around.  

Cowboy Cooking 

Roubie Younkin 

Dutch ovens have played an important part of cooking for mountain men, gold miners, pioneers, loggers, explorers, trappers, cowboys, settlers, or even campers and hunters of today.  Dutch oven cooking is one of the oldest and remains one of the most popular methods of out-of-doors cooking. Back in the days when most every meal was fixed over an open hearth, one tool that was indispensable for quality cooking was the Dutch Oven. Lewis and Clark listed it as their most essential piece of equipment during their great Northwestern trek in the early 1800's.  

The most important fact about the Dutch oven though, is that it makes cooking fun and easy. And  

the end result is delicious. This workshop will cover Dutch Oven cooking from start to delicious finish. 

Workshop 4 – One Hour 

Show Some Appreciation 

Josie Evenson 

This workshop will help 4-H members show appreciation to anyone who helps them along the way; parents, volunteers, mentors, award sponsors, livestock buyers etc. This workshop will walk members through how to write a good thank you note. Members will also learn how to make gifts that they can give to others to show their appreciation. 

Team Challenge 

Sharla Sackman 

Have you ever led a game with a group and one time the game worked great and another time it flopped?  In this workshop, you will learn about how teams form and what types of activities work at different stages in the team-building process.  You will leave this workshop with lots of ideas for games and activities to take back to your county program. 

Buffalo and Beaver and Foxes, Oh My! 

Inga Hawbaker & Jack Bazemore 

Buffalo and beaver and foxes, oh my! Participants will take part in a fun, interactive activity while learning about the many different species of wildlife that continue to roam the region's mixed grass prairie, their importance to the ecosystem, and the historical role they played in the well-known traditional trade system, the fur trade. 

Escape The Trapper’s Cabin 

Shelley Mills 

Can you complete the challenges and escape the Trapper's cabin?  You are given 1 hour to find all the clues, solve the puzzles, and escape the cabin before a catastrophe happens! 

Supporting Pollinators 

Andrea Berry 

Learn about and be able to identify MT pollinators. Learn their habitat and food needs, the need for access to native plants, and ways everyone can make their homes and communities healthier places for pollinators to live. Take home seeds to plant. 

Chute-Side Livestock Coolers  

Wendy Becker  

Vaccine handling is one factor that can can be at risk if not handled properly.  Livestock producers can plan and do everything correctly with the best management practices, but then forget that their expensive-but important vaccines need to be stored and used so that their efficacy can be maintained.  This is also an important factor in our Quality Assurance trainings through 4-H.  In this workshop we will briefly review some of the guidelines about vaccines and then create a chute-site livestock cooler-that can normally cost over $300 to take home. 

Making An Impression in Leather 

Laynee Simpson 

Montana's history included being self-sufficient and using materials that were available to make items for daily use.  Leather was one of these available resources.  This workshop will cover the basics of leatherwork.  Participants will design, stamp and stain leather in this workshop where they create their own key chain.   

Workshop 5 – One Hour 

Leadership For All 

Brett Schomer 

The world needs all kinds of leaders. What kind of leader are you? Finding your passion for leadership is the first step in becoming a leader that others can depend on. Workshop participants will do some hands-on activities to help find their most valuable leadership characteristics and work on a leadership journal that shares with the world their passion for leading others. Take the leap into leadership! 

What’s That Over There 

Cody Ream 

This game will test your knowledge about things you might see as you travel across the great state of Montana.  Everything from cows and crops to historic locations and people.  If you might see it, I might ask about it. 

Making An Impression on Leather 

Laynee Simpson 

Montana's history included being self-sufficient and using materials that were available to make items for daily use.  Leather was one of these available resources.  This workshop will cover the basics of leatherwork.  Participants will design, stamp and stain leather in this workshop where they create their own key chain.   

Escape the Trapper’s Cabin 

Shelley Mills 

Can you complete the challenges and escape the Trapper's cabin?  You are given 1 hour to find all the clues, solve the puzzles, and escape the cabin before a catastrophe happens! 

A Dog-Gone Good Time  

Olivia Fletes 

Come and learn all about the 4-H dog project! You will learn how to get started in the project, as well as basic dog training and showmanship techniques. After talking about different dog sports and events, there will be a hands-on opportunity to try dog agility. It's going to be a doggone good time! 

Buffalo and Beaver and Foxes, Oh My! 

Inga Hawbaker & Jack Bazemore 

Buffalo and beaver and foxes, oh my! Participants will take part in a fun, interactive activity while learning about the many different species of wildlife that continue to roam the region's mixed grass prairie, their importance to the ecosystem, and the historical role they played in the well-known traditional trade system, the fur trade. 

The Landscape Speaks 

Claudia Andrade 

The Montana landscape is a remarkable place, and the vegetation here can tell us so much! In this workshop we will explore some of Montana’s native plants, how to identify major plant families, and develop a deeper understanding of the traditional uses of discussed plants and how they impacted the lives of those before us.  Practicing a variety of field journaling techniques, this class will include a combination of interactive presentation materials, hands on activities, and games.  The ability to connect with the vegetation around us and to share that information with others can increase the appreciation we have for the great outdoors and allow for deeper connection with one another.