Always Connected - Always United

July 19-23

Image by Rachel S., San Joaquin County 4-H

Choose one morning and/or one afternoon activity for each day and join us for morning and afternoon icebreakers and group activities

Open to youth ages 9-18, and 4-H membership not necessary to participate.

Registration: $50/child, $10 for each additional child in the family

Scholarships available, apply in your registration


Interactive Activities for Different Interests!

Monday, July 19

Morning Activities

  1. Programming with Python!

  2. Mindfulness Jars

  3. Get Empowered!: A Self-Defense Class

Afternoon Activities

  1. Piece of Cake! Virtual Baking Lesson

  2. Community Connections

  3. Get Empowered!: A Self-Defense Class

Programming with Python!

A week-long course that will introduce campers to the computer science coding language, Python.


Mindfulness Jars

These are jars that involve hands on fun to make our very own mindfulness jars. Similar to snow globes, these jars are a reminder that whenever you get stressed or overwhelmed take your jar which and shake it up really good. We will also learn some breathing techniques and exercises to help destress.

Supplies Needed:

  • Jars with air tight lid, preferable mason jars.

  • Clear Elmers glue, glitter of your choice, and water.

  • Stirring stick.

Get Empowered!: A Self-Defense Class

A virtual class that teaches awareness, assertiveness, and empowerment through physical self-defense techniques. This workshop is open to all genders!

Supplies Needed:

  • An open space to move around in

  • Athletic clothes and a pillow if you have one!

In addition, participants are asked to complete a media release form prior to participating. Please find the form (English and Spanish available) here.

Email completed forms to bianca@sbstesa.org.

Piece of Cake! Virtual Baking Lesson

Follow along and learn how to make some tasty treats from your own home!

We'll be baking with:

  • 3/4 cup of cocoa powder

  • 1 cup of sugar

  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar

  • 1 1/4 cups of flour

  • 1 tsp cornstarch

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 2 tsp vanilla

  • 2 eggs

  • 12 tbsp butter

  • measuring cups

  • measuring spoons

  • whisk and/or spatula

  • 2 bowls

  • 9 x 13 pan or smaller

  • access to oven

Community Connections: Cards & Placemats for Meals on Wheels

How can you connect with needs in your own community? Join us as we complete simple and fun service learning projects that you can use to make a difference right where you live. Take these creative ideas back to your 4-H club or school and spread the caring even further in your community. And make connections with other campers through activities, games and creative fun!

Supplies Needed:

  • Paper - 8.5 x 11 inch (card) and/or 8.5 x 14 inch (placemat) - White paper, cardstock, color paper - whatever you have!

  • Colorful writing tools (crayons, markers, pens, colored pencils)

  • Your imagination and creativity!


Tuesday, July 20

Morning Activities

  1. Programming with Python!

  2. Be an Artist, Be a Star! Figure Drawing

  3. Backyard Birding

  4. Beginning Beekeeping

Afternoon Activities

  1. Hidden Water

  2. "Stop, Drop, & Learn" Fire Science

  3. Community Connections

Programming with Python!

A week-long course that will introduce campers to the computer science coding language, Python.

Supplies Needed:

Check back for information about supplies

Be an Artist, Be a Star! Figure Drawing

Campers will practice figure drawing and observation, with an emphasis on proportion and gesture.

Supplies Needed:

  • Drawing board

  • Paper and pencils

  • Optional materials are colored pencils or crayons.

Backyard Birding

Learn about and explore the birds in your backyard! Take a scavenger hunt and look for bird clues, learn about different bird features and share your discoveries!

Supplies Needed:

*If you or your child has a nut allergy, note that peanuts are present in most birdseeds!

Beginning Beekeeping


Ever wonder what it takes to be a beekeeper? Find out everything you need to know to get started. This course is designed to help anyone new to beekeeping gain confidence to care for their own bees or plan ahead. You don't have to have bees for this; you can just be interested in beekeeping.



Hidden Water/Make a Watershed Map

You will be amazed to discover how much water you use every day! During the "Hidden Water" activity we will explore the concept of a water footprint and discover the difference between direct and indirect water use. Through interactive games, you will investigate how much water it takes to make many of the products you use every day and look at menus to calculate the water used to grow and make the food that we eat, from an apple to a slice of pizza!

Supplies Needed:

1 piece of plain scrap paper (8.5 X 11)

• 5 washable markers:brown, blue, green, orange and red or 5 colors that are a close match!

• A small bowl, half full of water

• A plate to put your map on

• A towel or paper towel to dry your hands on!

"Stop, Drop & Learn" Fire Science

Learn about how wildfires in California can help our landscape AND how we can protect our lands and homes from out of control wildfire. You'll learn the basics of fire science, get involved in online fire experiments and make a plan for your home and family.

Supplies Needed:

Check back for information about supplies

five hands stacked on each other

Community Connections: Cat Finger Puppets - Pocket Kitty

How can you connect with needs in your own community? Join us as we complete simple and fun service learning projects that you can use to make a difference right where you live. Take these creative ideas back to your 4-H club or school and spread the caring even further in your community. And make connections with other campers through activities, games and creative fun!

Supplies Needed:

  • Pattern pdf (we'll email you!)

  • Two colors of felt and matching thread

  • Black thread and a sewing needle

  • Scissors and a few pins


Wednesday, July 21

Morning Activities

  1. Programming with Python!

  2. Mindfulness Jars

  3. Exploring Diversity Through Art

Afternoon Activities 1:45 pm-4:00 pm PST (choose one)

  1. "Breaking the Code" An Intro to Computer Science

  2. Community Connections

  3. Chat with Friends!

Programming with Python!

A week-long course that will introduce campers to the computer science coding language, Python.



Exploring Diversity Through Art

This workshop takes you on an adventure to explore diversity and discover the ways in which people are different and why that is important. The focus will be on understanding diversity and how to welcome diversity. This workshop will explore diversity through arts and videos. In addition, students will create their own art piece. Ultimately leading to the hidden treasure of the power of diversity.

Supplies Needed:

  • Google Draws (Drawing website) OR Coloring supplies (markers, crayons, or paints); Pencils and erasers


Mindfulness Jars

These are jars that involve hands on fun to make our very own mindfulness jars. Similar to snow globes, these jars are a reminder that whenever you get stressed or overwhelmed take your jar which and shake it up really good. We will also learn some breathing techniques and exercises to help destress.


Supplies Needed:

  • Jars with air tight lid, preferable mason jars.

  • Clear Elmers glue, glitter of your choice, and water.

  • Stirring stick.

Community Connections: Dog Toys for Animal Shelters

How can you connect with needs in your own community? Join us as we complete simple and fun service learning projects that you can use to make a difference right where you live. Take these creative ideas back to your 4-H club or school and spread the caring even further in your community. And make connections with other campers through activities, games and creative fun!

Supplies Needed:

  • 4 pieces of fabric (fleece, old t-shirt, old blanket - recycle!) cut into strips - about 1.5 x 36 inches, but can be longer or shorter

"Breaking the Code" An Intro to Computer Science

This is an introductory course for those who are new to Computer Science. Participants will be using Scratch and code.org to learn basic coding and use their creativity to write programs. Learn important problem-solving and creative thinking skills while having fun!

Supplies Needed:

  • Create an account on Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/join)

Chat with Friends!

Spend some time catching up with friends and sharing about your summer adventures near and far!


Thursday, July 22

Thursday, July 22

Morning Activities

  1. Programming with Python!

  2. Tinkering with the Tech Interactive

  3. Piece of Cake! Virtual Baking Lesson

Afternoon Activities

  1. "Breaking the Code" An Intro to Computer Science

  2. Community Connections

  3. Exploring Diversity Through Art

Programming with Python!

A week-long course that will introduce campers to the computer science coding language, Python.


Tinkering with the Tech Interactive

Come test out 2 new hands-on engineering challenges with the Tech Interactive! Use simple materials from around your house to solve a real world problem.

Supplies Needed:

Please download the following Tech Challenge guide - additional materials are specified:

Try to have at least 1 material from each of the following categories:

  • Structural supplies (such as: paper, cardboard pieces, boxes, recycled containers, aluminum foil, stick-like items (pencils, dowels, skewers))

  • Connectors (pipe cleaners, paper clips, twist ties, etc.)

  • Elastic items (rubber bands/ hair ties, balloons, etc.)

  • Round things (plastic lids, spools, corks, bottle caps)

  • Filter/ insulation materials (tissues, paper towels, fabric scraps, saran wrap, natural materials (leaves, pebbles, moss, etc.))

  • Tools: (scissors, tape, ruler)

  • This Materials Treasure Hunt might also inspire you! https://www.thetechathome.org/materialshunt

Piece of Cake! Virtual Baking Lesson

Follow along and learn how to make some tasty treats from your own home!

We'll be baking with:

  • 3/4 cup of cocoa powder

  • 1 cup of sugar

  • 1/2 cup of brown sugar

  • 1 1/4 cups of flour

  • 1 tsp cornstarch

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 2 tsp vanilla

  • 2 eggs

  • 12 tbsp butter

  • measuring cups

  • measuring spoons

  • whisk and/or spatula

  • 2 bowls

  • 9 x 13 pan or smaller

  • access to oven


5 diverse human hands stacked upon eachother

Community Connections: Letters of Encouragement

How can you connect with needs in your own community? Join us as we complete simple and fun service learning projects that you can use to make a difference right where you live. Take these creative ideas back to your 4-H club or school and spread the caring even further in your community. And make connections with other campers through activities, games and creative fun!

Supplies Needed:

  • Paper - 8.5 x 11 inch (card) and/or 8.5 x 14 inch (placemat) - White paper, cardstock, color paper - whatever you have!

  • Colorful writing tools (crayons, markers, pens, colored pencils)

  • Your imagination and creativity!


"Breaking the Code" An Intro to Computer Science

This is an introductory course for those who are new to Computer Science. Participants will be using Scratch and code.org to learn basic coding and use their creativity to write programs. Learn important problem-solving and creative thinking skills while having fun!

Supplies Needed:

  • Create an account on Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/join)


Exploring Diversity through Art

This workshop takes you on an adventure to explore diversity and discover the ways in which people are different and why that is important. The focus will be on understanding diversity and how to welcome diversity. This workshop will explore diversity through arts and videos. In addition, students will create their own art piece. Ultimately leading to the hidden treasure of the power of diversity.

Supplies Needed:

  • Google Draws (Drawing website) OR Coloring supplies (markers, crayons, or paints); Pencils and erasers


Friday, July 23

Morning Activities

  1. Programming with Python!

  2. Medical Mastermind

  3. Operation Climate

Afternoon Activities

  1. Project Learning Tree

  2. "Stop, Drop & Learn" Fire Science

  3. Community Connections

Programming with Python!

A week-long course that will introduce campers to the computer science coding language, Python.

Supplies Needed:

Check back for information about supplies

Medical Mastermind

COVID-19 has made us more aware of the miracles of medicine and the inequities in accessing innovative treatments. Come test out 2 new hands-on activities exploring this topic while thinking like a computer scientist.

Supplies Needed:

  • Access to G-suite (G-slides, Jamboard, etc.)

  • Paper/cardstock

  • Pencil/markers

  • Cardboard pieces

  • Small trinkets/figurines

  • Scissors

  • Paperclip or other object that can represent a passenger (rubberband, Lego figure, bead, foil)

  • (Optional) Printer (to print activity sheet)

Please download the following Tech Challenge guide - additional materials are specified:

Operation Climate

Come test out 2 new, hands-on climate change activities while thinking like a computer scientist. Learn more about the importance of fire, and how YOU can make an impact on climate change.(These activities were inspired by The Tech Interactive's new exhibit Solve for Earth.)

Supplies Needed:

  • Access to G-suite (G-slides, Jamboard, etc.)

  • Paper/cardstock

  • Pencil/markers

  • Cardboard pieces

  • Small trinkets/figurines

  • Scissors

  • Paperclip or other object that can represent a passenger (rubberband, Lego figure, bead, foil)

  • (Optional) Printer to print activity sheet

Please download the following Tech Challenge guide - additional materials are specified:


Project Learning Tree

Explore the great outdoors in your own backyard and neighborhood! Impress your friends and family with what you learn on your next hike!

Supplies Needed:

  • Paper

  • Pencil

  • Internet

  • Art supplies to create a poster


"Stop, Drop & Learn" Fire Science

Learn about how wildfires in California can help our landscape AND how we can protect our lands and homes from out of control wildfire. You'll learn the basics of fire science, get involved in online fire experiments and make a plan for your home and family.

Supplies Needed:

Check back for information about supplies


Community Connections: Cat Toys for Animal Shelters

How can you connect with needs in your own community? Join us as we complete simple and fun service learning projects that you can use to make a difference right where you live. Take these creative ideas back to your 4-H club or school and spread the caring even further in your community. And make connections with other campers through activities, games and creative fun!

Supplies Needed:

  • Pattern pdf (we'll email you!)

  • One color of felt (two optional) - standard sheet to make 2-3 toys

  • Thread to match felt

  • Sewing needle

  • Optional pink and black thread

  • Scissors and a few pins

  • Stuffing (batting, cotton filler, fabric strips)