CHARLOTTE HALL, Md. — On Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, the Charles County 4-H LEGO Robotics team swapped their laptops for trash bags, dedicating the day to cleaning up Gilbert Run Park as part of their annual service project.
The team chose Gilbert Run for its environmental importance — the park’s waterways flow into the Wicomico River and then into the Potomac River, meaning litter here can travel far beyond its source. Members and their families walked the park’s 1.6-mile trail, picking up debris harmful to wildlife and the ecosystem. They also combed playgrounds and common areas, ultimately removing 10 bags of trash.
“Gilbert Run is one of my favorite parks and it was great to be able to walk the trail and remove all the trash,” said Nick Falkler, age 9.
The cleanup is part of the team’s broader mission to promote environmental awareness in Charles County. Earlier this year, they partnered with the Charles County Government to produce the “Recycling Rights” video, a short educational film about what can and cannot be recycled locally.
“I liked being in the video because it was fun and I got to get some movie experience,” said Matthew Leech, age 10. “I also enjoyed being able to share information about recycling to others.”
The Gilbert Run effort came during the team’s May-to-August practice season, as they prepare for the Maryland State Fair LEGO Robotics competition on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2025, in Timonium.
The annual challenge has 4-H members build robots using parts from LEGO Mindstorms NXT, EV3, SPIKE Prime and/or RCX kits. The event is run on a 4-by-4-foot table where robots start in a home base area and travel autonomously across the board to complete predetermined tasks. Robots are preprogrammed and score points by completing tasks within a 2.5-minute time frame. Each team competes in multiple rounds, with their best performance counting toward their final score.
“This is my second year competing at the Maryland State Fair, and I am looking forward to improving on my skills,” said Haley Adams, age 11.
About 4-H
4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, offering hands-on learning experiences that help young people build leadership, citizenship and life skills. Guided by the principles of “Head, Heart, Hands, and Health,” 4-H engages youth ages 8–18 in projects ranging from agriculture and healthy living to STEM and civic engagement.
In Charles County, 4-H is a program of the University of Maryland Extension, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Charles County Government.
Who Can Join?
4-H is open to all youth ages 8–18, regardless of background or experience. Cloverbud programs are available for ages 5–7 and are noncompetitive.
How to Join
The 4-H enrollment year runs from January through December. To get started, enroll online through 4-H Online.
For more information about Charles County 4-H Robotics, visit extension.umd.edu/locations/charles-county/4-h-youth-development or contact Mikayla Johnson, 4-H program assistant, at mdiane@umd.edu.
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