2026-27 Oconee 4-H Pop-Ups

What are we doing? Depends on when you ask!

Oconee 4-H Pop-Ups are spur-of-the-moment, one-time programs or a brief series that give us room to try something interesting, make something weird, learn a new skill, explore a topic, or just get together and have some fun—without turning everything into a club or long-term program.

Any questions? Contact Lil Ledford 864-795-2347 ledfor7@clemson.edu

Events, dates, times, locations, ages, and costs will vary. Check the event-specific information below before registering.

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CURRENT POP-UP:

Boo-Rax: A Crystal Bone Lab

They came from the woods.

They went into borax.

They emerged... FABULOUS.

Bring a bone. Grow some crystals. Make something delightfully strange.

In Boo-Rax: A Crystal Bone Lab, we’ll use a hot, supersaturated borax solution to grow sparkling crystals on bones, skulls, antlers, and other suitable objects. Along the way, we’ll explore how and why crystals form—and turn a little natural history into something that looks like it belongs in a wizard’s laboratory.

• WHEN: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 5:30–7 PM
• WHERE: Oconee Extension Office
• WHO: Anyone 5 and up
• COST: $6 per 4-H member/Volunteer, $8 per non-member

Space is limited to 18 youth so we can maintain a 1 adult : 6 youth ratio.

THIS IS A STAY WITH YOUR KID EVENT — no drop-offs.

We’ll provide the borax and other crystal-growing supplies.

BYOB — Bring Your Own Bone!

• Bring one clean, dry real or artificial bone, skull, antler, or other object you’d like to crystallize. Most small, sturdy objects should work.
• Please keep your specimen reasonably sized (smaller than YOUR head). Your prize cow skull may be magnificent, but it requires a LOT of borax.

No bones? No problem! Stop by our little Bone Shop at the event. A limited selection of cleaned craft bones will be available for $1–$3 each, while supplies last.

One important catch: crystals need time!

Your creation won’t be ready to go home with you that evening. Specimens will need to sit and grow for at least 24 hours, so finished projects will be picked up later. Pickup details will be provided at the event.

Registration

Please register every person attending so we know how many creepy chemists—and how much borax—to prepare for.

Space is limited, so register early!

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UPCOMING: Build 'Til It Breaks

A 4-H Engineering Challenge

Build it high. Build it across. Load it up. See what happens.

We’ll start with a quick Apple Tower Challenge—how tall can you build with one apple and a limited supply of toothpicks? Then we’ll move to the official bridge-building challenge, where youth will design, test, revise—and load their bridges to the point of failure.

Along the way, we’ll explore balance, structure, strong shapes, supports, and what failure can teach us about better design.

• WHEN: Friday, November 6, 2026, 5:00–6:30 PM
• WHERE: Oconee Extension Office
• WHO: Geared toward ages 9–18, the ages eligible for the SC 4-H Engineering Challenge; determined younger builders are welcome
• COST: FREE for current 4-H members; $6 for non-members

No engineering experience needed—just come ready to build, test, break, and try again.

This Pop-Up is a chance to try the kind of problem-solving used in the South Carolina 4-H Engineering Challenge.

Space is limited, so register early!

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What OTHER Pop-Ups might happen?

Almost anything!

Arts and crafts, nature activities, animals and agriculture, cooking, STEM experiments, outdoor adventures, movies and social events, traditional skills, weird science, seasonal projects, and whatever else someone thinks would be fun to try.

Bleach art on your old t-shirt? Sure.

Visible mending? Yep.

Insect pinning? Absolutely.

Pumpkin carving? Puppets? Nature crafts? A movie and popcorn bar in the barn?

If we have the people, supplies, space, and a good idea, it might become a Pop-Up.

Do I have to be a 4-H member?

Check the individual event description. Some Pop-Ups may be open to any eligible youth, while others may require current 4-H membership.

Pop-Ups can also be a great way to bring a friend, try something new, or get a taste of 4-H before committing to a club or longer program.

Have an idea?

YES, PLEASE.

Youth, families, volunteers, and community partners are welcome to suggest topics—or help make one happen. Pop-Ups are also a great way to test-drive an idea that might eventually grow into a workshop series or even a new 4-H club.

Contact Oconee County 4-H if you've got an idea, a skill you'd love to share, or something you've always thought, “Kids should get to try this!”

You don't even need the agent there if you have at least 2 adult volunteers registered in 4-H Online! My schedule is crowded, and this opens up opportunities even if I can't attend!

Before You Register

Because this Eventbrite listing will be used throughout the 2026–27 4-H year, please make sure you're registering for the Pop-Up you intend to attend and read its details carefully. It WILL have ticket(s) for the specific date(s), but you will need to read descriptions for locations and other details!

New Pop-Ups will be added as inspiration strikes, so check back throughout the year!

Refund statement: Some Pop-Ups may have additional fees, and if so, they can be collected via Eventbrite or cash/check/card in the office if desired. Full payment is due upon registration. No refunds will be issued after participation in the event has started.

Membership requirement: Current 4-H membership in 4HOnline requirements vary by event—but is always suggested and appreciated!

Custodial Care: Please note that these events and their coordinators do not assume custodial care of youth in attendance. IF an event requires custodial care, it will get its own Eventbrite registration.

Civil Rights Statement