4-H News:

Twenty-Five Receive 4-H Afterschool Opens Doors Volunteer Awards

CHEVY CHASE, Md. – National 4-H Council, with generous support from the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, is awarding 25 volunteers from across the country with the first 4-H Afterschool Opens Doors Volunteer Awards.

The Opens Doors Awards recognize 4-H volunteers who are involved in 4-H Afterschool programming in their communities with cash awards for their commitment to 4-H. These volunteers help to train after-school program staff, increase the use of 4-H curricula in after-school programs, organize 4-H clubs in after-school programs, provide 4-H activities to youth in after-school program, and work with other JCPenney Afterschool Fund partners, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA, Junior Achievement, and/or the Afterschool Alliance.

The awardees include: Alex Lopez, Chandler, Ariz.; Lisa Brewer, Kit Carson County, Colo.; Sara Busker and Jennifer Crouse, Harrington, Del.; Judy Sloane, Ft. Myers, Fla.; Margaret Stevens, Payette, Idaho.; Dave Kniker, Kewanee, Ill.; Frank Cleaves, Perry, Maine; Georganna S. Cottman, Westover, Md.; Laurie Baker, Centerville, Mass.; Meg Fraser, Traverse City, Mich.; Janel Cole, Columbia, Mo.; Ryan Cross, Reno, Nev.; Sue Mcduff, Laconia, N.H.; Kimberly Switzgable, Pennington, N.J.; Abbie Juett, Enfield, N.Y.; Kim Griffin, Prineville, Ore.; Dennis Haag, Loysville, Pa.; Lisa Fields, Clemson, S.C.; Amanda Lacher, Mina, S.D.; Ginger Bates, Hohenwald, Tenn.; Michael Edwards, Conroe, Texas; Kristina Wilbert, Monroe, Utah; Beverly Holmberg, North, Va.; Diana Welty, Monongah, W.Va.; Nicole Mohsin, West Allis, Wis.

The work of the 25 volunteer winners ranges from gardening to technology to agricultural education, reaching between 1,500 and 2,000 youth in rural, urban and suburban areas.

4-H Afterschool trains after-school educators to develop quality programs and collaborate with other youth organizations to create safe after-school communities for children across America in which youth learn leadership, citizenship and life skills. Visit 4husa.org or 4hafterschool.org for more information about 4-H and 4-H Afterschool.

The JCPenney Afterschool Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports programs designed to keep kids safely and constructively engaged during out-of-school time. The Fund’s contributions allow for the creation and continuance of Afterschool programs aimed at the academic, physical and social development of children throughout the United States.
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4HUSA Web Crew Launches 2005 Winter Wonderland E-Card
By Alan Moore, Georgia

The 4HUSA.org Web Crew has launched the 2005 "Winter Wonderland" holiday e-card. This is the first e-card that can be sent directly from 4HUSA.org, so visit the site to check it out and send it on to your friends!

The card, containing images of winter scenes from across the United States, was put together in a collaborative effort by the 4HUSA Web Crew. Members of the crew include Alan Moore of Georgia, Elizabeth Juers of New York, Emily Cox of Indiana, Hayley Trahan-Liptak of Massachusetts, Mike LeClair of New York, Patrick Kelly of Washington, Jessica Falkenthal of California and Nicole Batten of Georgia. The group worked together on shooting and resizing photos, coding using complex Javascript, developing graphics, creating the "Winter Wonderland" music, and other details to compose the final masterpiece.

Check back at 4HUSA.org next week for a second animated holiday e-card!

4HUSA.org is the official interactive online community for 4-Hers across the United States. Registered users have access to the message board, photo gallery and many other exciting features. Links to Clover Corner News, 4-H’s national online newsletter, and the 4-H Afterschool Newsletter are also on the site. Other resources on 4husa.org include 4hmediaresources.org, which includes a national 4-H online photo library.

For more information, to register, and to check out all these features on 4HUSA.org, click here. Don’t forget to send your holiday e-card while you’re there!

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Alabama 4-H Teaches Teamwork, Science and History

Eleven-year-old Savannah Humber had never been to 4-H camp before. But since her sixth-grade school trip November 2-4, 2005, she hasn’t been able to stop talking about it.

“It was a lot of fun. We did all sorts of things from learn about bugs and even scorpions, to do challenge course group activities with each other,” Savannah said.

Savannah was one of 62 sixth-grade students from Ashville Middle School who attended the environmental field school program held at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana, Ala. The program offered at the 4-H center includes programming in science, history and physical education.

“The kids had so much fun during the trip. For one thing it taught them the value of team work during the ropes course and canoeing activities,” said Ashville Middle School Guidance Counselor Kerry Montgomery.

The program lasted for three days and two nights. The students participated in a variety of activities including entomology and herpetology classes (study of insects and study of snakes), orienteering (learning how to use a compass), canoeing, rock climbing and the low-ropes challenge course.

“They were such energetic sixth graders and loved learning,” said Wren Cook, program coordinator at the Alabama 4-H Center, about the students during her entomology class. “They got so into it and excited by bugs and spiders by the end of our outdoor class.”

To find out about 4-H camps and programs in your community and state, visit www.4HUSA.org.
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2006 Healthy Lifestyles Request for Proposals Due January 13, 2006

National 4-H Council, with funding provided from Kraft Foods, Inc. and Cargill, is offering approximately 24 local grants of up to $7,000.00 to 4-H/Extension Programs to foster community-based, innovative and fun programs to address reversing the climbing trend of obesity among young people ages 5-12.

The grants can be used to fund new programs or enhanced/expanded current programs that include information on nutrition, physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices through the formation of youth-adult partnerships and community collaboration. Plans must include involving and educating family members through personal participation, information and activities in nutrition, health and physical activities. A public awareness and outreach campaign must be initiated to increase community awareness of youth obesity issues and the benefits of fitness, nutrition and healthy living.

Grants are offered only to 4-H/Extension Programs within the United States and its territories. The 4-H/Extension Office/Land-grant University must be the fiscal agent for the program. Previous awardees can apply with a modified or expanded program. Collaborations with other organizations are encouraged for community outreach and enhancing sustainability.

The application can be found at the National 4-H Council grants page. Click on “2006 Healthy Lifestyles RFP” at the bottom of the page under “Related Links” to open or download the application. Completed applications must be received at National 4-H Council by 5 PM EST on January 13, 2006. If you have any questions, email jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu or call 301-961-2870.
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Healthy Lifestyle Proposal Reviewers Wanted

Both youth and adult reviewers are needed to evaluate the 2006 Healthy Lifestyle Proposals to decide who will receive approximately 24 local grants of up to $7,000 to foster community-based, innovative and fun programs to address reversing the climbing trend of obesity among young people ages 5-12.

The grants can be used to fund new programs or enhanced/expanded current programs that include information on nutrition, physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices through the formation of youth-adult partnerships and community collaboration. Plans must include involving and educating family members through personal participation, information and activities in nutrition, health and physical activities. A public awareness and outreach campaign must be initiated to increase community awareness of youth obesity issues and the benefits of fitness, nutrition and healthy living.

Review teams will consist of one youth and two adults. Each team will have approximately 20-25 grant applications for each member of the team to read and score on a standard scorecard. Applications from those interested in receiving funding will be sent to review teams on January 14, 2006, and scoring would need to be completed by Friday, February 3, 2006. Youth should be high school or college age.

If you are interested, please email JoAnne Leatherman at jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu or call 301-961-2870.
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2006 4-H Community Tree Planting Grants Available

2006 4-H Community Tree Planting Grants from $500-$1,750 each
Funding provided by Deft, Inc.

The 2006 4-H Community Tree Planting Grant Program offers a limited number of youth grants in the amount of $500 to $1,750 to 4 H/Extension groups in local communities, in counties and at the state level. This program provides opportunities for young people and adults to take action with ongoing community tree planting and/or reforestation projects or to stimulate new and creative youth-led projects. Youth are empowered to lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation process with minimal mentorship from adults. Youth will learn how their leadership can result in community collaborations that amplify the impact of their project.

Grants are offered only to 4-H/Extension Programs in the United States and its territories. If you are not a part of 4-H, we encourage you to contact your local Cooperative Extension Office and become a project collaborator!

The application can be found at the National 4-H Council grants page on the bottom of the page under “Related Links.” Completed applications are due on Wednesday, February 1, 2006. If you have any questions, email schaconas@fourhcouncil.edu.
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NFL Wristbands and CD Benefit JCPenney Afterschool Fund

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? What better way to show your spirit than to sport your favorite NFL team's official wrist bands during the season? JCPenney is the exclusive retailer of the official NFL wrist bands that are sure to be the hit of the summer. Each set sells for $2.39 and includes two wrist bands in the team's home and away colors. All net profits from the sale of the wrist bands and NFL royalties go to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, which provides support to after-school programs such as 4-H Afterschool.

JCPenney is also selling Kenny Chesney’s new CD, “The Road and the Radio,” at stores nationwide. All net profits from the sale of the CD at JCPenney stores will be donated to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund to support after-school programs throughout the nation.
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Resources and Opportunities:

Free Environmental Education Posters

Help teach students to protect the environment with everyday choices! From soccer balls to cell phones to DVDs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s "life cycle poster series" teaches students to understand the environmental impacts of everyday products. These posters track where products come from, how they are manufactured and transported, how to maximize their useful life, and what happens to them after use. The series helps teens make informed decisions to protect the environment in their day-to-day lives. Also available in Spanish. To order your free copies, click here.

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Disney Minnie Grants

Youth Service America and Disney are offering the Disney Minnie Grants for youth across the globe.

Eligibility: youth (ages 5-14) or the teachers, schools, and organizations that engage them to implement service projects on National and Global Youth Service Day, April 21-23, 2006.

Maximum award: $500

Deadline: January 13, 2006.

Click here to learn more about the Disney Minnie Grants and for the 2006 application.
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Seasons of Service: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On January 16, 2006, Americans will participate in service-learning projects benefiting their communities to honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Be a part of nationwide effort by joining an organized project or developing your own.

Click here to learn more on how to get involved and for project ideas.
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National Service Learning Partnership Web Site Resources

The National Service Learning Partnership hosts a variety of resources and opportunities for youth development programming. The site has links to teacher resources, service-learning opportunities, publications, and much more. To check it out, click here.
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Youth Service America Youth Venture Funding

Get up to $1,000 in start-up funds for sustainable National and Global Youth Service Day (N&GYSD) projects by becoming a YSA Youth Venturer. Youth Service America (YSA) and Youth Venture are teaming up again to make every day National & Global Youth Service Day. We are giving young people the opportunity to create sustainable projects for N&GYSD 2006, April 21-23!

Twenty five awards of up to $1,000 in start-up funds are available to young people (ages 12-20) who want to create new, sustainable and civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses ("Ventures"). These “Ventures” must be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community. YSA Youth Venturers are required to host an event on N&GYSD.

For further information or to download an application, visit www.youthventure.org/ysa or email amutima@youthventure.org. Applications must be RECEIVED by noon December 19th, 2005.
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