4-H NEWS

KAE4-HA installs new officers.

1-New Officers Lead KAE4-HA
The Kentucky Association of Extension 4-H Agents installed new officers during the association's annual meeting this week at the Kentucky Leadership Center in Jabez, KY.

They are Susan Guffey of Monroe County, president; Lena Mallory of Marshall County, president-elect; Anna Smith of Warren County, vice president; and Deana Reed of Hardin County, secretary. Each will serve a one-year term.

Guffey said the officers' goals for the year include continuing to strengthen the ties of the county agents with state staff and administration; emphasizing professionalism among agents and helping newer agents see the benefits of making a lifelong career out of 4-H Youth Development; searching for new and innovative ways to build membership; and enhancing the professional development of members.

The Kentucky Association of Extension 4-H Agents is Kentucky's professional association for 4-H Youth Development County Extension Agents or those with a 4-H Youth Development appointment. It currently has 110 members who meet annually to recognize achievements of the membership, elect state officers, participate in professional development workshops and attend 4-H Youth Development in-service training. The association also has four board meetings each year that include 14 district directors who represent the ideas and interests of the membership across the state.

For more information about KAE4-HA, visit http://fp1.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha/

Jean Halsell explains how her son, Jim Halsell, a NASA astronaut, flies one of the space shuttles.

2-Young People "Challenged" at Lousiana 4-H Camps
Young people from across Louisiana are being challenged to solve problems, work in teams and learn a variety of other skills during special camps offered by the Louisiana State University AgCenter.

The camps, dubbed "Challenge Camps," are operated as part of the LSU AgCenter's 4-H youth development program. Students in middle-school grades attend the camps and hear advice on how to succeed in life.

"Space" was the theme for an April 1-3, 2004, Challenge Camp, which was targeted to young people from northeastern Louisiana, at the LSU AgCenter's Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center near Pollock. So a part of the advice they received naturally came from Jean Halsell, mother of NASA astronaut Jim Halsell, of West Monroe.

Halsell spoke to the group about how what they do now can affect their futures and how making the right decisions as a young person can help a person succeed as an adult.

"When Jim was your age, we flew a lot as a family," Halsell said. "The first time Jim got in the plane, he said This is what I want to do with my life. And he started working toward that goal then. Everything he did, he did with the thought that he was going to be a pilot one day."

Halsell said her son decided that if he was going to fly, he was "going to fly the highest and the fastest."

To do that, Jim Halsell found out that he had to make outstanding grades in high school, she said, explaining that her son went on to the U.S. Air Force Academy, pursued graduate degrees and was selected by NASA to become an astronaut in 1990. Now he has flown five missions as a pilot and a mission commander and has logged more than 1,250 hours in space.

"Jim has been very successful because he decided what he wanted to do and he went for it," Halsell told the youngsters.

"You can be just as successful. Decide now what you want to do in life and latch onto it," Halsell continued. "Whatever it is that you want to do, you be the best at it. Give it everything you've got. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work out at first. Keep trying."

Becky Owen, an LSU AgCenter 4-H agent in Morehouse Parish, said activities in this camp like all the others focused on encouraging the students to work together. "Learning how to work together in a team is one of the things taught at Challenge Camp," Owen said. "Teamwork is a valuable skill that will not only benefit the young people now, but it is a skill that will benefit them when they are older and out in the workforce."

At another Challenge Camp held recently at Tickfaw State Park for youngsters from South Louisiana, the participants were introduced to activities related to outdoor living. But Ken Spoto, an LSU AgCenter county agent for East and West Feliciana parishes, said the camp still was about building teamwork among the 4-H'ers, as well as learning other beneficial skills.

"We emphasize Sci-Tech activities like model rocket activities, along with making bubbles and polymers," Spoto said. "It's a combination of leadership, learning Sci-Tech and teamwork."

Joshua McKelphin, a 4-H'er from Jackson, said the most fun he had was on the canoeing trip. "I've never been canoeing before, so it was a lot of fun," McKelphin said. "I learned that you can do many things that I've never done before, like canoeing and the ATV activities."

Beverly Madere, an LSU AgCenter 4-H agent in Jefferson Parish and caretaker for the faint-of-heart, sat dockside to reassure some of the children who were having their first aquatic experience. "Some of these children need a little encouragement their first time, but everybody is having a great time," Madere said.

Kay Singleton, an LSU AgCenter 4-H agent in St. Helena Parish, said Challenge Camp offers great opportunities for team-building and increasing leadership skills. "The young people who come to Challenge Camp are too old for the 4-H summer camps at Camp Grant Walker but are not quite old enough to attend 4-H U at LSU," Singleton explained, saying this offers that in-between age group a chance for an "overnight" learning experience.

"Challenge Camp is a fun-filled, really packed two days to allow them to learn and socialize with people from different areas," Singleton said, adding, "Some are from rural areas and some from urban, even from New Orleans, the big city."

To find out more about Challenge Camps and other educational activities that are part of the LSU AgCenter's 4-H program, go to www.lsuagcenter.com.

Written by A. Denise Coolman and Johnny Morgan of LSU AgCenter Communications.

3-Share Your 4-H Afterschool Stories
This is GREAT! I NEVER thought we could do it but we DID! Have you had moments like this in your 4-H Afterschool program? Or perhaps someone told you that your 4-H Afterschool program changed his or life, or it has had an effect on your community!

If so, 4-H Afterschool wants to know about it! In fact, we want to tell the world about it! Submit your successes to the 4-H Afterschool Success Stories web page at http://www.4hafterschool.org/Staff/Submit_Success_Story.asp. When you hit the "submit" button, 4-H Afterschool Coordinator Ron Drum will receive the story, review it and post it on the page. If you do not want it on the web page, send the story directly to Ron Drum at rdrum@fourhcouncil.edu Either way, share your stories.

Your 4-H Afterschool success stories help our funders know that their support is making a difference and help policy makers know that after-school programs are important in the lives of our children and communities.

But just what is a good success story? A good success story answers the "so what?" question. How did this achievement impact a 4-Her's (or family's) life or made a difference in the community. What does this achievement mean? Is there something about this achievement that would make a person unfamiliar with 4-H Afterschool say, "WOW!"? Are there specific stories that can be shared about the benefit to youth and families as a result of 4-H's presence in after-school programs

But maybe you think that although your story is good, it's just not good enough for the web page. It's just not a WOW! story. Submit it anyway! It is probably a WOW story, and you just don't know it! We want to hear ALL the stories about 4-H Afterschool!

4-H Afterschool is changing our world! Help us tell the world how. Submit your success story today.

RESOURCES and OPPORTUNITIES

4-CAPCO Science Class Challenge
The CAPCO Science Class Challenge is an opportunity to win $500 to $5,000 for your school and a pizza party for your class.

The CAPCO Science Class Challenge is a classroom contest for grades 4-9. The purpose of the competition is to encourage students and teachers to learn about the Earth's protective upper ozone layer, aerosols, and the environment by using provided activities or their own creative methods.

If you are a full-time teacher employed by a public or private school teaching within grades 4-9 and can spend 20 minutes of class time teaching students about the Earth's ozone layer, visit http://www.nocfcs.org/scc/scchome.htm to learn more! Deadline for entry is May 21, 2004.

5-Foundation Center RFP Bulletin Is Valuable Resource
The Foundation Center lists a variety of requests for proposals in its RFP Bulletin. Two of interest are below. You can see more requests for proposals on the Foundation Center web site at http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/.

Environment
Posted: April 21, 2004
Deadline: June 28, 2004

Applications Invited for Nature of Learning Grants Program

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in cooperation with partner organizations, invites applications from organizations interested in initiating or expanding the Nature of Learning in their communities.

The Nature of Learning is the National Wildlife Refuge Systems new community-based environmental education initiative that seeks to: use National Wildlife Refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues; encourage an interdisciplinary approach to learning that seeks to enhance student academic achievement; utilize field experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect classroom lessons to real world issues; and involve a partnership among local schools, community groups, natural resource professionals, and local businesses.

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to support start-up expenses associated with new programs. In addition, grants of up to $3,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to provide continued support to existing Nature of Learning programs.

Schools or nonprofit organizations, including "Friends" groups, Cooperative and Interpretive Associations, Audubon chapters, conservation organizations, and nature centers, are eligible to apply for funding. Programs must involve a partnership among a local school(s), community group (e.g., Refuge Support Group), and National Wildlife Refuge.

For complete application information, see the NFWF Web site at http://www.nfwf.org/

Children and Youth
Posted: April 13, 2004
Deadline: June 15, 2004

Duke Endowment Offers Funding to Improve After-School Programs in North Carolina and South Carolina

The Child-Care Division of the Duke Endowment is launching a three-year effort to improve the quality of existing after-school programs for children who are at risk for abuse and neglect.

The Endowment intends to select up to thirty after-school programs in North and South Carolina to participate in this effort, which will target programs that serve a high percentage of children ages 6-12 whose families are eligible for state subsidies; programs that primarily serve children whose families exhibit identified characteristics indicating risk for abuse or neglect; and programs located in identified high-need communities. The Duke Endowment will provide training, consultation, and funding (up to $10,000 to each selected program) to help selected programs improve the quality of their services and achieve higher levels of licensure or accreditation.

Traditional beneficiaries of the Endowment that offer formal after-school program targeting at-risk children will be eligible to apply for grants. Other organizations that provide after-school programs including YMCAs and YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and churches of any denomination will also be eligible if their after-school services target children at risk for abuse or neglect.

For complete program information, guidelines, and an application form, see the Duke Endowment Web site at http://www.dukeendowment.org/

REMINDERS

6-Open Call" For the 4HUSA Web Crew
http://www.4husa.org/

Overview:
The 4HUSA Web Crew is being formed to redesign, supervise, manage and market the website--www.4husa.org--as a site exclusively for, by and about the young people of 4-H across the country. The purpose of the site redesign is marketing-focused in order to enhance and more accurately reflect the national image of 4-H. The site will reflect the message, 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. It will feature timely and interactive elements and demonstrate the size, diversity and value of the 4-H adventure. It will be a one-stop website for
4-H.

Eligibility/Criteria:
Candidates for the Web Crew may be nominated or self-nominated. State 4-H leader and/or county 4-H agent recommendation or statement of support for nominees is required. Candidates will be 4-H members (13-20 years-old) with demonstrated expertise in website design and management. A selection committee of 4-Hers who are involved in technology and the Internet will choose a team of 12 members. While the 4H-USA Web Crew will be developing a site for marketing and promotion purposes, members of all 4-H tech teams are encouraged to be candidates.

Responsibilities:
The term of an assignment will be 12 months. Members who accept the responsibility of time-sensitive and time-demanding assignments, such as state news headlines and calendar management, will receive stipends. Members of the Web Crew will conduct their assignment through virtual meetings and IM. The first face-to-face meeting will be scheduled for late summer 2004. The Web Crew will be supervised by David Henderson, senior vice president for strategic communications at National 4-H Council.

Timing:
Deadline for recommending candidates: May 1, 2004
Email nominations to webcrew@fourhcouncil.edu no later than May 1, 2004
Web Crew team members chosen: May 15, 2004
Website Redesign Phases (May 15 - July 1, 2004)
-Phase 1: Layout designs / prototypes
-Phase 2: Refining chosen design
-Phase 3: Finalizing design and preparing implementation
-Phase 4: Implementation
New site debut: August 1, 2004

Elements and features of 4husa.org will include:
Emphasis towards youth ages 13 - 16 years old
Complete lists of 4-H websites organized by state
State news headlines with links to more information
Forums for achievements, i.e. blogs
Master National 4-H calendar (with major events)
Message boards
Showcase of top 4-H sites with logos
Easier to join and get more information
Curriculum resources
4-H store
myname@4husa.org email alias
Showcase for 4-H opportunities
-National 4-H Youth Directions Council
-Collegiate 4-H
-National 4-H Youth Technology Team
Links to sites for grown-ups
Extension agents
Volunteers
Business partners
Donors
Parents: What they need to know about the Internet
Mentoring opportunities

7-Building Community Inclusion Request for Full Proposals Announced
National 4-H Council, in partnership with Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF), will select up to seven implementation sites across the nation, including at least two currently involved in the Engaging Youth, Serving Communities Rural Youth Development program, with a desire to advocate for youth-adult partnerships and change the local, state, or national view of inclusion of youth of all abilities in community programs. This will include youth roles in governance, working in partnership with adults. Each site will be trained in National 4-H Council's Youth-Adult Partnership curriculum and receive an implementation grant of up to $10,000. (100 percent funding match required: 25 percent cash with remaining 75 percent in-kind/cash.)

This program will enable sites to provide support for inclusion of youth with disabilities in youth/adult partnerships and in program implementation with community awareness activities jointly supported by a local program partner--a community governance group. National 4-H Council will only award funding to 4-H programs/sites. A 4-H site is defined as a program or office which is either the program manager or implementer, or a primary partner in a collaborative community group, but in any case acts as fiscal agent for the program.

The community governance group could be a youth service council, county fair board, 4-H or other youth organization executive board, county government and city council committee, school board or other school-based committee. With the help of the Youth-Adult Partnership curriculum and inclusive practices for community programs, the governance group and the youth participants will work together to develop strategies and implement action plans to create an environment of inclusion for youth of all abilities to take action in their communities. Each prospective site must connect with and gain written commitment from a local governance group or groups for the implementation of this program.

Each implementation site will be coordinated by a leadership team of at least two youth and at least one adult, with and without disabilities, who will create a workplan that details specific action steps that will be used to achieve the program objectives and outcomes listed below, as well as other goals and outcomes that may be identified as the sites recognize issues that need to be addressed within their community. The workplans will include the number of youth and adults to be directly involved in their program and the estimated number of people indirectly affected by the program.

The site leadership team will identify three representatives (which could include leadership team members) to attend a national youth-adult partnership training provided by National 4-H Council to be held in Chevy Chase, MD. Tentative dates are August 17-19, 2004. The teams will gather together at the end of the training for a roundtable discussion of the workplans for each site. Sites will share their workplans with the large group and have the opportunity to adapt their workplans based on the feedback from the group. After completion of the workshop, teams will return to their communities and facilitate youth-adult partnership training for all participants in their program including the members of the governing board.

Selected sites will be provided with additional resources and training through HalfthePlanet Foundation (HtP), a nonprofit promoting independence, economic self sufficiency, social inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities. HtP is a technical assistance provider to national grantees funded through this MEAF initiative, and is compiling a resource guide for sites to aid them in locating awareness resources, assistive tehnology, and additional funding. They will also be providing a session entitled Disability and Awareness Inclusion at the youth/adult partnership training in fall.

Results of this program will be shared with 4-H youth development professionals at conferences, workshops, and meetings nationwide to provide youth development professionals interested in expanding their youth programs with an awareness of new ideas, strategies, and components of successful initiatives. Possibly, youth workers who had not thought of reaching out to their full community to work with youth with disabilities will find it easier to draw together fiscal, coordinating, and volunteer support from community members.

If the Building Community Inclusion grant opportunity is of interest to you, a Word version on the RFP/Application is available for download at www.n4h.org/programs. You can request a PDF version by sending an e-mail to twexler@fourhcouncil.edu Complete application packets are due by 5 pm Eastern Time on May 7, 2004. Packets should be sent to: Sally Miske, Building Community Inclusion, National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

8-Just Ask for Catalog of Great 4-H Merchandise
The people behind the National 4-H Supply Service want to send you its free 2005 4-H Source Book, a four-color catalog chock full of really cool items with the 4-H emblem that will let everyone know you love 4-H.

But they need your help. Please send your name and address and the names and addresses of everyone you think might want a copy of the 2005 4-H Source Book now so that it will find its way to 4-H homes around August 25, 2004.

Those who get their names in the earliest will get their copies of the catalog first. 4-H staff can have the 2005 4-H Source Book sent directly to households on their mailing list and/or sent in bulk to their offices. All bulk orders must include a UPS delivery address.

For quantity orders to county or state 4-H offices, you may submit your online request at www.4-hmall.org/catalogue/sourcebook.asp, e-mail us at sourcebooklist@fourhcouncil.edu or send your list to: 2005 4-H Source Book Mailing Lists, National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

You also can get a $5 gift certificate for merchandise in the 2005 4-H Source Book if you submit your mailing list in an electronic format following these rules:

1. Either e-mail your list to sourcebooklist@fourhcouncil.edu as an attachment, or

2. Send your list on a three-inch double density or high density diskette that is IBM compatible. Send at least 25 names if you use this format. Include a printed list of the names with your disk to help us confirm the contents of your disk. We cannot return disks.

3. The file format must be a delimited text format to allow efficient and accurate processing of the list. Most word processing, spreadsheet and database programs export files in this format.

4. Those who use Martech software should use the text report and NOT the quick report to transfer the file to a three-inch floppy disk. We cannot read files with .qrp suffixes. Make sure you include a printed copy of your list. We also will graciously accept printed lists of names, spreadsheets, labels or typewritten lists but they are not eligible for the $5 gift certificate. Please, do not send handwritten lists as these cause the most errors. Please do not send duplicate lists.