4-H News:

Grants Awarded to 13 Youth in Governance/Literacy Education Program Sites

Washington, DC Congratulations to the 13 4-H organizations that have been awarded grants through the 2005 Youth In Governance/Literacy Education Grants Program administered by National 4-H Council with funding provided by Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund and Firestone Agricultural Tire Company. A team of national judges evaluated the 21 applications. The recipients will promote new and creative youth-led literacy education programs or support ongoing literacy programs. Successful programs will bring youth ages 5-12 and adults together in activities that enable youth and adults to partner in addressing literacy issues critical to their lives, their families and their communities.

The 2005 grantees are:

AR, Stone, Horse Crazy 4-H
IA, Sac, Sac County Extension Service
MA, Bristol, New Bedford 4-H Programs
MD, Baltimore City, University of Maryland Baltimore
ND, Williams, Wonder Wizards 4-H Club
OH, Franklin, Ohio State University Extension - Franklin County
PA, Chester, Chester County Cooperative Extension
SC, Charleston, Charleston County Extension Fund
VA, Richmond City, Hanover County Cooperative Extension
WA, Lincoln, Lincoln County 4-H Youth Literacy Programs
WI, Sawyer, Sawyer County 4-H
WI, Milwaukee, 4-H Milwaukee Scholars
WV, Kanawha, Kanawha County 4-H Leaders

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4-H Club Needs Help With National 4-H Quilt

The Pleasant Valley 4-H Club has been working for three years to finish a national quilt, and they are down to the wire. Only six more states are needed to create their quilt in time for this year's county fair. But they need your help.

The club is looking for 4-Hers or alumni to send them a quilt square from the following states: Iowa, Alabama, Delaware, Connecticut, Arizona and Maine. The square can be made using any material and can be done with appliqu?embroidery, paint or other art forms. The only requirement is for the quilt square to include your state's name, and your county or club name if desired.

Please contact Kim Bartz for details including the exact size. They only have six weeks left before their county fair, so please respond promptly.

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Texas Cooperative Extension Announces YEA 4-H! Afterschool Curriculum

Texas Cooperative Extension now has available an after-school curriculum for K-2 grade levels. Yea 4-H! An Afterschool Learning Experience, is a 1200+ page curriculum that covers 23 subject matter areas. Each subject matter area has a minimum of five lessons. The lessons are designed in a say-do format that is easy to follow. Also included in the curriculum are 15 parent newsletters in English and Spanish, community service ideas and evaluation instruments. The introduction materials also provide resources that can be used for staff development.

Yea 4-H! is available on CD from the Texas Cooperative Extension Bookstore for $50. To order, click here.

For more information about the Yea 4-H! curriculum, contact Cheryl Newberry, 4-H Extension program specialist.


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goCyberCamp Introduces Tornado Vortex for 4-H Clubs

Did you know that the average tornado is 75 yards wide, has a track length of one to four miles, is on the ground for about five minutes and moves at an average of 25 miles per hour?

Just imagine how interesting it would be for 4-H youth to discover such fascinating facts about tornadoes by actually creating one! goCyberCamp marks the beginning of tornado season with the TORNADO VORTEX. Tornado Vortex is a goCyberCamp online activity where kids create their own tornado, test it and measure its F-factor. It's a fun way to learn how a tornado forms and how to measure its strength.

Click here for more information.

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Resources and Opportunities:

Second Annual Megaconference, Jr., Seeks Presenters/Participants

Megaconference, Jr., now in its second year, is a project designed to give students in elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real time, using advanced multi-point video conferencing technology. Presenters will design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and activities focused on both academic and cultural issues. Participants will be able to address questions to presenters and to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness.

The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT, May 19, 2005. The 12-hour duration will make it possible for schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school hours.

Event registration and subsequent proposal submission (for interested sites) should be completed online (click here). You must submit your presenter proposal(s) by March 28, 2005. Conference registration closes on April 29, 2005. Click here to find out more about Megaconference, Jr.

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Join Youth Development Leaders at the Spring Youthbuild Conference and Transformation Institute

The YouthBuild Academy for Transformation is holding its Transformation Institute on April 11-13, 2005, in Los Angeles, CA. This institute is geared for directors, staff, teachers, counselors, policy-makers and funders in the youth development, youth leadership, youth employment, after-school and education arenas.

The event features a unique transformational experience, including workshop sessions, keynote speaker, practice groups, networking and social events.

Individualized fee-for-service trainings also are available. Check the YouthBuild Academy web site for event updates, more information on workshops and to register. Institute fees are low, and many scholarship opportunities are available! For more information, contact Michelle Quinn-Davidson.

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