4-H News:

Camp Mission Possible Youth Focus on Abilities

(Brownwood, TX)—Excited about the endless possibilities ahead, youth attending Camp Mission Possible danced, swam and canoed their way around the camp during the first ever session of the innovative summer experience.

Camp Mission Possible, held in early June at the Texas 4-H Center, created to promote the involvement of all youth, inviting those who are physically or learning disabled or developmentally delayed to participate in the unique summer residential camping program. The camp focused on each camper’s abilities, instead of disabilities, and encouraged participants to recognize their individual abilities and limitations while participating in a safe and fun environment. Campers were given the chance to participate in all activities and the opportunity for personal and social growth in interacting with others in a close-knit camp community.

Many of the teen leaders, mentors and campers had attended camp at the Texas 4-H Center before, but this was the first time they had been involved in a camp like this. It took a lot of work to modify some activities so that all could participate. “It was a learning experience for everyone. One thing we did was make space in canoes for people in wheelchairs to sit. We got stadium chairs and had the mentors sit behind them,” said Neal Brenner, an adult leader who has experience camping. “We tried it before with kayaks, but not with canoes. It worked out well.”

Youth attended from all over Texas, some going to camp for the first time. Activities included archery and shooting sports, swimming, camp Olympics, rhythm and drumming activities, canoeing, sports fishing, campfire and Texas star-ceremony time and a dance on the last night.

Youth at the camp had a variety of disabilities, but that did not stop them from enjoying their time at the camp. “My favorite part of the week was the dance!” said Maranda Rabb, a 13-year-old camper from Kerr County. Sporting her electric wheelchair, she and the other youth boogied down on the dance floor on the last evening to a mix of country and hip-hop songs. The evening ended with one of the teen leaders sharing her own experiences of camp through an original song she played on the guitar for the group. As their few days together came to a close, it was apparent the group was reluctant to go their separate ways after their busy, fun-filled time together.

“It’s been an eye-opening experience, working with children with disabilities,” said Darlene Locke, Camp Director. “Overall it was a success.” The Texas 4-H Center hopes to hold Camp Mission Possible again next year.

For more information about Camp Mission Possible, click here.

(Brownwood, TX)—Teens worked with the campers throughout the week to help them gain life skills. Above, one teen helps this camper improve his archery skills.

(Brownwood, TX)—Texas 4-H youth enjoy dancing on their last night at Camp Mission Possible.
Return to top

4-H Afterschool Trains Grant Winners in Texas

(Plano, TX)—4-H spirit was alive deep in the heart of Texas last month as 4-H Afterschool staff journeyed to Addison, TX, to meet with the 10 states selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive the Teens Teaching Youth 4-H Afterschool Grants.

A total of $300,000 in grants, made possible through support from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities, were awarded to the state 4-H programs in California, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

“Thanks to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund and NFL Charities, we have been able to launch a national workforce preparation project that will be taught to middle school youth in after-school programs in more than 40 counties in 10 states. Teen and adult teams will span out to hundreds of communities to deliver the 4-H workforce preparation project. I am excited about this project and its potential for replication throughout the 4-H system,” said Eddie Locklear, national director, 4-H Afterschool.

Teams of adults and teens spent two days in R.I.S.E. and Get In the Act curricula training, media relations and program evaluation training. They also expressed their appreciation to representatives from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund at a celebratory dinner with entertainment from the state of Texas’ top 4-H youth singers, dancers, musicians and comedians.

“I think the best part of this conference was having 4-H youth participate,” said Ron Drum, national coordinator for 4-H Afterschool. “All of these young people are extraordinary.”

These teams will return to their home states to train other teams of adults and teens to deliver workforce preparation curricula to middle-school aged youth in after-school programs.

“I’m really excited about this project,” said Hailey Burch, an Oklahoma 4-H member. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to work with younger kids.”

(Plano, TX)—Members of the Missouri and Tennessee 4-H Afterschool grant teams smile Texas-style.
Return to top

National 4-H Council Announces EYSC 3 Grant Recipients

(Chevy Chase, MD)—Proposals by 20 state 4-H programs have been selected for funding under the Engaging Youth Serving Community (EYSC) Round 3 Rural Youth Development Grant Program funded by Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture, and managed by National 4-H Council.

The projects funded under this program expand upon the successes of projects conducted under either EYSC 1 or EYSC 2 and are part of either the Youth in Governance or 4-H Afterschool strategic initiatives.

States receiving the awards of up to $25,000 are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

CSREES, USDA and National 4-H Council are dedicated to improving the lives of rural youth in America through funding programs that support effective, high-quality youth development and demonstrate local impact. These projects engage youth as partners in addressing community issues and providing safe and inviting places for rural youth to experience positive youth development in out-of-school time.

For more information about rural youth development programs, contact JoAnne Leatherman at jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu or call 301-961-2870.
Return to top

4-H Road Rules

(Maricopa County, AZ)—MTV has nothing to do with these Road Rules! 4-H members in Arizona hit the road for their annual Teen Road Trip from June 25 to July 1, 2005.

Twenty teens jumped into vans and traveled the roads of southwestern Arizona and southern California, blazing a trail through cultural and historical landmarks, studying businesses and careers and learning how to camp and live on the road. Their exciting journeys are documented at http://ag.arizona.edu/4-h/roadtrip.

In June 1999, the Maricopa County, AZ, 4-H Teen Association decided to do a Teen Camp, but more on the basis of a road trip than a traditional camp setting. The idea was to visit different parts of the state of Arizona on an annual basis. Since then, the Arizona 4-H teens have covered all of Arizona and beyond.

The 2005 trip focused on five areas of learning: cultural awareness, geography, workforce preparation, communication and technology and community service. The 4-H Road Trip website is full of photos and stories as well as the past years’ trips.

(Maricopa County, AZ)—The Maricopa County 4-H Teen Association gathers together for a group shot during their 2005 4-H Teen Road Trip.
Return to top

Ohio 4-H Members Create Hero Packs for Military Youth
By Martha Filipic, Ohio State University

(Columbus, OH)—When members of the military are deployed, they often leave children behind. That’s especially difficult for families of National Guard and Reserve members, whose military obligations usually disrupt their everyday lives only one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer.

To recognize the sacrifices of these “suddenly military” children, Operation: Military Kids is offering Hero Packs to children and teens whose parents are about to be deployed in the National Guard. The first 50 packs were distributed in Ohio on June 25-26, during family pre-deployment briefings for Army National Guard units in Kettering and Bellefontaine and an Air National Guard unit in Springfield. The next distribution will be to an engineering unit in Columbus in September.

Dona Leonhard, a graduate associate with Ohio 4-H Youth Development and Operation: Military Kids, was at the disbursement in Bellefontaine, when packs were given to parents at the end of the day.

“It’s kind of a gloomy day. The military members sit in a six-hour meeting, where they are encouraged to get their affairs in order,” Leonhard said. “But seeing the excitement on their faces when they got the Hero Packs for their children was so rewarding.”

Hero Packs are backpacks created especially for the Operation: Military Kids program. They contain items designed to help children and teens deal with stress associated with a parent being away from home, and others to help them keep connected with their deployed parent or parents.

“I think it’s a great, great, great idea,” said Sue Ann Carroll, the state youth coordinator for the Ohio National Guard, who also attended the disbursement. “I wish we had more packs to give to kids whose parents have already been deployed. But there are limited resources, and we had to make the decision to give these only to newly deployed families. They’re being very well-received.”

Hero Packs are funded by Operation: Military Kids, a federal program launched in April that targets 20 states with high deployment rates. Ohio received a $70,000 grant, with funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Army Youth Development Project and the United States Army Child and Youth Services. Ohio has items for 500 packs and has just ordered materials for 200 more.

On June 1, packs began being assembled by 12 4-H state ambassadors in a special event with Ohio’s First Lady, Hope Taft. But most of the Hero Packs are being assembled by 4-H clubs across Ohio as a community service project.

“We wanted to help the 4-H’ers understand what a ‘suddenly military’ kid goes through. So, Dona and other students in a class I taught last quarter created a lesson plan for making Hero Packs,” said Theresa Ferrari, the Ohio 4-H military liaison for the project and an assistant professor in Ohio State’s Department of Human and Community Resource Development. “The lesson plan makes sure the 4-H members gain a greater understanding of the challenges of being in a military family.”

As part of the project, 4-H members write letters to the recipient of the pack, thanking them for the sacrifice they and their families are making and encouraging the recipient to learn more about 4-H. The letters are included with the rest of the items in the backpacks.

Carroll said the fact that the backpacks are being assembled by other youths makes the effort have more meaning for the recipients. “It’s special, because other children are actually assembling these backpacks,” Carroll said. “They’re not just throwing these things into them. They’re really thinking about these kids, and writing a letter to them, thanking them for their sacrifice. When I told my seven-year-old about the project, he was thrilled about it. He asked me, ‘Do they really think the kids are heroes?’ And I said yes, absolutely.” Carroll, whose own husband also was deployed, said the packs should help ease the stress children face when parents must leave home.

Ferrari is also talking with representatives of the Reserve and hopes to expand the Operation: Military Kids initiative to their families soon. To learn more about Ohio’s 4-H military programs, click here.

(Columbus,OH)—Ohio kicked off their Operation Military Kids initiative on June 1 by meeting with First Lady Hope Taft to assemble Hero Packs. Mrs. Taft is joined by Keith Smith, Ohio State University Extension Director, and Jennifer Irwin, a 4-H member from Hamilton County, and Jessi Yoho, a 4-H member from Washington County.
Return to top

4-H Community ATV Safety Program Products on Sale

4-H Community ATV Safety Program products, which help youth and adults learn about safe riding techniques and practices, are now on sale. Everything from the rider handbook to the carabiner compass to free decals are available. Most items are half price. Check out www.atv-youth.org for product and ordering information.
Return to top

4-H Wristbands on Sale

The National 4-H Supply Service proudly announces that new 4-H wristbands are now in stock and available for immediate shipment! The new wristbands are molded with the phrase “4-H - Head - Heart - Hands - Health” and crafted of silicone in the familiar 4-H green.

To see the 4-H wristband and place your order now, please click here or here for the youth size.

Get your 4-H wristbands today!
Return to top

Help Needed for "4-H FAIR FACTS"

Summertime means that 4-H fair time is not far away. National 4-H Council's marketing team is compiling a newsworthy list of "4-H Fair Facts" about fairs nationwide that we can use to generate news media interest. We know there are AMAZING stats out there.

For example, how many 4-H youth attend 4-H fairs each year? How much cotton candy is spun at fairs every year? How many people pass through the fair gates? How many gallons of soda pop are consumed in one day? How many pies, bunnies, chickens and livestock are shown by 4-Hers? What is the most AMAZING thing you've ever heard about a 4-H fair? What are you most proud of?

We want to know all the facts - fun, frivolous, factual. The more unique, the better! E-mail some fantastic fair information to apatel@fourhcouncil.edu.
Return to top

4-H Signs Welcome Motorists to Johnson County, IN

(Franklin, IN)—Ten new signs welcome visitors to Johnson County, IN, thanks to the local 4-H program. The county’s 4-H Council and Lincoln Bank worked to design and place the signs throughout the community.

The council got the idea and design from scrapbook pictures of signs erected in the 1950s, said Amy Kelsay, extension educator of 4-H youth development. “The main goal for posting the signs is to show people the 4-H program is still around and growing after 100 years,” said Kelsay.

The signs have a phone number so people can call to learn more about 4-H clubs and programs. Johnson County Junior Leaders, the county’s 4-H youth leadership group, will maintain the signs.

For more information on how to put up 4-H signs in your community, contact Amy Kelsay at akelsay@purdue.edu.

(Franklin, IN)—Members of Johnson County 4-H show off their new welcome signs.
Return to top

4-H Members: Enter the Make a Connection Essay Contest

Make a Connection is a global program that helps young people develop essential life skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, think creatively, resolve conflicts and set and achieve goals.

To draw attention to the critical importance of life skills in today’s fast-paced world, Make a Connection has invited 4-H youth to participate in the “Skills for Life” essay contest. Through September 9, 2005, 4-H youth will have a chance to write about how
4-H has helped them gain leadership, citizenship and, most importantly, life skills. The Make a Connection program will be accepting essays of up to 500 words in length that make the case for why life skills are so essential.

The winner of the contest will receive a Nokia 6101 mobile phone, with second and third place winners receiving $200 and $100 Amazon.com gift certificates, respectively. For contest details, please visit: www.makeaconnection.org.
Return to top

Connect with Zambia 4-H

4-H has begun in Zambia. Young people who want to connect with other youth across the world are invited to connect with those new to this 4-H program in Africa.

Zambia, located in Southern Africa, is divided into nine provinces. Zambia has a growing population of more than 11 million people. Among many other industries, the population is an active agricultural community with main farmlands focusing on corn, sorghum and rice.

For more information or to connect with Zambia 4-H, contact Thompson Sinkamba, 4-H Zambia country coordinator at thomfoya@yahoo.com.
Return to top

Resources and Opportunities:

National Service-Learning Partnership

The National Service-Learning Partnership is a national network of members dedicated to advancing service-learning as a core part of every young person’s education. Service-learning is a teaching method that engages young people in solving problems within their schools and communities as part of their academic studies or other type of intentional learning activity. The Partnership concentrates on strengthening the impact of service-learning on young people’s learning and development, especially their academic and civic preparation. To learn more, click here.
Return to top

National Youth Summit Announces $250 Five Promises Community Action Awards

Youth in Action: Make a Difference is the theme of the 2005 National Youth Summit to be held from July 28-30, 2005, at the Marriott Woodley Park Hotel in Washington, DC.

The summit will be packed with resources and techniques for youth to make a difference in their communities. Everyone who attends will receive the “What’s Next?” Action Planning Journal which will be used throughout the summit. At the closing session, Youth Service America staff will guide attendees through a discussion of their journals and how to find out how to take what they have just learned and turn those skills into community engagement.

Those who attend also will learn how to apply for one of 75 Five Promises Community Action Awards of $250 each that will only be available for 2005 National Youth Summit attendees. Visit www.ncfy.com for registration and information. (Click on the Summit logo.)
Return to top