National 4-H Conference:

National 4-H Conference Connects 4-H Youth from Across the Country

National 4-H Youth Conference Center welcomes youth from across the country to the 76th annual National 4-H Conference.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— More than 300 youth and adult delegates gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 2006 National 4-H Conference to share ideas and form recommendations in guiding future national 4-H youth development programs nationally and in their communities.

“A major goal of this year’s conference was to offer participants a rich and meaningful personal and professional development experience through a comprehensive understanding of the essential elements of the 4-H Youth Development Program and to gather their input as to how to shape the 4-H program of the future,” said Cathann Kress, director of youth development, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA.

With a theme of “Connect 4-H – Let’s Get Together,” conference workshops and other events emphasized civic engagement, youth-adult partnerships and professional development. Delegates shared ideas and formed recommendations for the future of 4-H at roundtable discussions and a town hall meeting.

Recommendations formed during the conference tend to reflect the overall theme of connection. Delegates voiced the idea of connecting with each other through a national 4-H camp, more national 4-H communication vehicles, and state exchanges. They want to stay connected to 4-H during college and recommended the formation of a national 4-H college scholarship. Delegates also recommended they connect the communication skills they’ve gained in 4-H through a national 4-H public speaking contest.

Dr. Kress announced these recommendations during an assembly at the United States Department of Agriculture, where Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns welcomed delegates to the department. Kress said the recommendations will be shared throughout the 4-H program nationally and with officials at USDA who will work in the upcoming year to implement them.

Secretary Johanns and other USDA officials were on hand to speak to delegates during the assembly. Johanns, a former 4-H member in Iowa, said his time spent on the farm and as a 4-H member helped shape who he is today by teaching him responsibility, discipline and commitment to purpose.

“What you are learning today, I promise you, will serve you well,” he said. “The foundation you are building through the 4-H program will be a life-long foundation.”

Johanns also addressed how USDA is working to improve agriculture for young people. During the 2007 Farm Bill listening sessions held in 2005 across the nation, the Secretary asked 4-H members to participate and share their views on farm policy.

“That set the exact, right tone for the sessions. People became engaged in how we can build a future for young people in agriculture,” he said. “We owe it to you to provide farm policy for you and to build an agriculture economy that invited you to participate.”

While not all 4-H youth are engaged in farming, as community leaders they will be called upon to make decisions that will require them to understand agricultural issues like production agriculture, water quality, conservation or other parts of the food and fiber industry.

Delegates also met with their legislators on Capitol Hill Day to represent youth from their states and discuss state 4-H programs with congressional members and their staff. Other conference activities included the Clover Cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington, a service learning project focusing on disaster preparedness and the annual variety show.

Since the first conference in 1927, National 4-H Conference, known as the “Secretary’s Conference,” continues to be USDA’s premier youth development opportunity to engage youth in developing recommendations for the 4-H Youth Development Program.

The National 4-H Conference serves as an avenue to assist youth and adult leaders to develop recommendations to guide 4-H programs nationally and in their communities. As the sponsor for this conference, National 4-H Headquarters seeks to promote positive youth development, facilitate learning and engage youth in the work of land-grant universities and USDA to enhance their quality of life. For more information, visit http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov.

Return to top

4-H Youth Voice Heard on Capitol Hill

4-H youth work together during National 4-H Conference to discuss recommendations prior to meeting with their representatives on Capitol Hill.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— All across Capitol Hill, 4-H members put the power of their voice into action. More than 300 youth and adult delegates at the 2006 National 4-H Conference met with their congressional representatives and staffs on March 29 to discuss 4-H programs in their states and how they have personally been impacted by their involvement in 4-H programs.

Capitol Hill Day kicked off with the USDA Assembly, where delegates were welcomed to Washington, D.C., by USDA officials, including Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics Merle Pierson, and CSREES Administrator Colien Hefferan. Cathann Kress, director of youth development, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA, shared the delegates’ top recommendations about the future of 4-H youth development programming.

After the assembly, delegates were off to Capitol Hill to attend the second 4-H Congressional Caucus luncheon, where they were able to meet with House and Senate staff. Congressional caucuses are a type of congressional member organization developed to facilitate communication between members of Congress. Congressional 4-H caucuses were formed in the House of Representatives and the Senate in fall 2004 and spring 2005, respectively. The primary purpose of these caucuses is to support the participants in the 4-H Youth Development Program by initiating enriched educational opportunities for increasing youth understanding of how the federal government works.

From there it was on to Capitol Hill, where conference delegates, representing all 4-H youth in their states, visited their local congressional offices and discussed state 4-H programs. The young leaders were enthusiastic to share their love for 4-H with their government officials.

Preparation for these visits began long before the delegates arrived in Washington. For months they worked to learn about their elected officials and prepare what topics they wanted to cover. Most states developed one-page fact sheets about their 4-H programs to leave at each visit.

Prior to Capitol Hill Day, Chad Wykle, a former 4-H member and aid to West Virginia Rep. Nick Rahall, gave delegates practical and useful tips on how to make their visit a success. He also empowered delegates by reminding them that members of Congress place a high value on meeting with youth leaders and that they should make it a habit to express their concerns and opinions with elected officials.

He, along with Secretary Johanns, emphasized that Capitol Hill Day wasn’t a one-time opportunity that would be over once conference ended; their ability to share their voice with their elected officials should and can be ongoing. Johanns talked to conference delegates about the need for more people in public service and encouraged them to consider investing their leadership skills in public service—be it as school board member, elected official or governmental official.

At National 4-H Conference, youth and adult leaders develop recommendations to guide 4-H programs nationally and in their communities. Each year, delegates come to the conference prepared to work and be engaged in the future of 4-H programming. Capitol Hill Day serves as one venue for 4-H youth to ensure that opportunities for tomorrow’s youth will not only be available, but viable as well.

Return to top

Let’s Get Together—Connect 4-H

National 4-H Conference creates bonds of friendship during the special week of connection for 4-H youth from across the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Submitted by Barbara Anderson, 2006 National 4-H Conference Delegate and Planning Committee Member

As I thought of this past week at the 76th National 4-H Conference, I could not decide what I wanted to write about. How could I put into words the experiences of each person? Then last night as the planning committee members said goodbye to both the delegates and each other, sharing all that had happened this week, it struck me.

Our goal as the planning committee was for each individual to feel welcome and at home as soon as they climbed the wide front steps of the conference center. This echoed in our theme “Let’s Get Together—Connect 4-H.” Throughout the week the delegates attended round tables. They were divided up to meet 4-Hers from different states discussing ideas they wanted to “Stop,” “Start” and “Continue” in their 4-H programs. They learned from one another what worked in their states, what didn’t and what needed to be implemented to further 4-H. The ideas were voted on and presented to the Secretary of Agriculture in the USDA Assembly. The delegates spoke as one voice that will lead 4-H into the coming year.

The planning committee also valued the importance of having time to enjoy each others’ company while building teamwork, leadership, and life skills. We invited Ryan and Carrie Underwood, representatives from TRI Leadership, to work with us. They put on the Super Opening Social (SOS) in addition to running four workshops and adding many little touches such as morning messages to enhance the conference and pull it all together. The SOS was loved by all the delegates; the bond formed from that one event was so strong in uniting all the delegates in strong friendships that were built upon throughout the week. The week ended with the Clover Cruise, and, as the music played, I saw bonds stretching across the room in all different directions uniting each person in so many ways on many different levels.

The goal was friendship, that each person felt welcome and special. In laughter of pre-assembly games, the delegates talking in the cafeteria, the respect toward each other, the mingling of the states with one another, we succeeded. This struck me while the planning committee led the closing activity. The planning committee members had divided themselves so that there were three of us per circle of delegates, and we threw a ball of yarn around to create a connection of bonds. It symbolized not only the bond created during conference week, but that each person could take a piece of that string with them and continue the bond. The connections formed will not end with the end of conference but shall live on forever.

Return to top

4-H News:

Speak up and take the National 4-H Technology Survey!

National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters want to know what you think about technology and how you use technology in 4-H. Your ideas and opinions will help the national leadership of 4-H to improve the technology resources that they provide to the 4-H community. It’s your chance to speak up and tell National 4-H Headquarters and National 4-H Council what you're looking for!

The survey is open to 4-H members of all ages, including youth, volunteers, and staff! The results will help National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters to make critical decisions about their future use of technology to enhance the 4-H experience.

Complete your survey today!

www.4-Hsurvey.com

Return to top

Department of Defense Commends 4-H Youth Development Program For Service to Children and Families of Military

Dr. Cathann A. Kress accepts the certificate of commendation from M.-A. Lucas, during the State 4-H Military Liaison meeting.

Washington, D.C.— The 4-H Youth Development Program’s “exceptional service” to children, youth and families of military personnel around the world has been recognized with a Department of Defense Certificate of Commendation personally signed by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld.

Dr. Cathann A. Kress, director of youth development, National 4-H Headquarters, CSREES, USDA, accepted the certificate of commendation from M.-A. Lucas, director, United States Army Child and Youth Services, during the State 4-H Military Liaison meeting March 15-16, 2006.

“We value and appreciate the work of 4-H staff and volunteers on military installations throughout the world,” Ms. Lucas said. “It is especially significant that 4-H has also been recognized by the Secretary of Defense.”

National 4-H Headquarters has partnered with United States Army Child and Youth Services and Air Force Family Member Programs since 1995. Military men and women can pursue their critical, high-risk assignments around the world knowing that their children are part of 4-H youth development programs that provide safe and nurturing environments on military installations. 4-H expanded its reach to children and families of National Guard and Reserve service members with the onset of the Global War on Terrorism. Military youth involved in 4-H clubs around the world can continue their 4-H work wherever their parents are transferred or deployed.

“I am thrilled to accept this certificate of commendation on behalf of 4-H staff and volunteers who work with military children and families across the nation and around the world,” said Dr. Kress.

State 4-H military liaisons guide establishment of 4-H clubs on military bases by bringing together and providing assistance to officials of local Army and Air Force installations, counties and the local 4-H program. Each state 4-H military liaison was presented with a framed copy of the certificate of commendation with a personalized message on the back.

The commendation states, “The leadership and staff of the USDA National 4-H Youth Development have distinguished themselves by continuous exceptional service to the children, youth and family members of our military men and women in uniform around the world. The 4-H youth development professionals have provided exceptional training and technical assistance in establishing clubs and other programs on military bases worldwide which ensure quality educational programs are available wherever families move. Since the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism, 4-H has expanded support to children of National Guard and Reserve Service members who are geographically dispersed. The Department of Defense takes pride in presenting this certificate of commendation to the Department of Agriculture, for the thousands of children and youth whose lives are touched by the extraordinary efforts of the 4-H youth programs and for the outstanding service to the Department of Defense.”

4-H is a community of more than seven million young people across America and around the world learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Learn more about 4-H military programs at www.4-hheadquarters.gov.

Return to top

2006 4-H Program Leaders National Meeting Highlights 4-H’s Bright Future

Don Floyd, president and CEO, National 4-H Council; Kellyanne Conway, president, the polling company, inc.; and Cathann Kress, director, youth development at National 4-H Headquarters.

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The State 4-H Program Leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., March 12-16, 2006 for their annual meeting. Hosted for the first time at National 4-H Headquarters at CSREES, USDA, by request of the state leaders, the meeting revealed a renewed focus on teamwork, productivity, and clarity of purpose and direction.

Cathann Kress, director at National 4-H Headquarters, opened the meeting by relating the dreams of the pioneers to the current work of 4-H professionals and volunteers. She shared progress since the 2005 annual meeting, which included clearer articulation of “what is 4-H?” through the essential elements (Belonging, Mastery, Independence, Generosity) and system-wide implementation around the mission mandates (Science, Engineering and Technology, Healthy Lifestyles, and Citizenship).

Other achievements include the National 4-H Council’s supply service Fair Share program, marketing initiatives and resource development alignment, strengthened 4-H military programs, ES-237 review, growth in the professional development system, and the creation of an evaluation database and Programs of Distinction best practices.
Two areas covered in the meeting, and endorsed by the state leaders, were the movement to a new curriculum process led by the 4-H CCS board; and the new jury process which will peer-review all curricula being used at the national level.

Accountability was addressed through a discussion on developing national indicators to evaluate work, building best practices, and the need for more effective management of the variety of 4-H entities created to accomplish different projects and tasks. The shared national leadership is looking at who does the work of 4-H, and how we manage those partners.

Two guest presenters provided affirmative research results that validate the direction 4-H is taking. Dr. Rich Lerner of the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Development, Tufts University supplied encouraging third wave data from the Tufts 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development. Two thousand youth are participating, and early results show the impact of 4-H and family influence on the lives of youth.

Kellyanne Conway, CEO of The Polling Company, Inc., presented the results of a nationwide 4-H and youth development organization awareness and opinion poll, which helped clarify perspectives that today’s adults and families have about 4-H. Key findings were that the attributes and activities of 4-H that people find the most appealing—which includes the three mission mandates—are those that they are least aware of; and more than 50 percent of Americans have a low level of knowledge about 4-H, giving 4-H an open slate to build the brand.

Of the meeting, Dr. Kress said, “The bright future of 4-H was articulated as the shared leadership continues to build and implement clearer national roles, strengthened systems and partnerships, and increased visibility for 4-H nationwide.”

The 2007 meeting will be held April 17-20 in Colorado.

Return to top

Kids Survive With Modern Camp Experience

Photography is just one of the many specialized 4-H camping programs for youth.

Studying marine biology. Snow survival skills. Electricity. Wildlife tracking. At camp today kids enjoy much more than the traditional crafts and canoes experience. 4-H offers a wide range of specialized camping programs all over the country where kids learn leadership, citizenship and life skills while they participate in fun activities.

Shamee Hurd, 14, gets a charge out of learning about safety at 4-H Electric Camp. “I am more aware of my surroundings as a result of 4-H Electric Camp. I learned to stay away from electric lines when they fall on the ground. I do very well in school studying science, especially when we study electricity,” she said.

The camp, held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, features learning centers and hands-on activities staffed by electric utility professionals. Campers make magnetic motors and discover how electric golf carts work while they learn about safety.

At 4-H Junior Wildlife Stewards Camp in Oregon, youth start their experience in third grade, become counselors-in-training in seventh grade, and teen counselors in grade 10. They work together with other campers and counselors as they participate in classes on the basics of fishing and aquatic habits, wildlife tracking, bird watching, forestry and develop a special hands-on wildlife restoration project.
A counselor for five years, Alice Kersting, 18, of Portland is studying sociology in college because of her experience with cross-age mentoring at camp, where she shared her passion for the outdoors. “The interaction of children, adults and teens coming together and learning from each other is incredibly significant. You can’t get anything out of camp unless you are willing to learn from others,” Kersting said.

Along the North Carolina coast, youth curious about ecology study chemistry, geology and biology at Marine Science and Sailing Camp. They dissect fish, follow the tides and visit estuaries to understand the importance of the environment.

Camp isn’t just for the summer, either. Youth build campfires in the snow, use compasses and GPS units, and learn first aid skills at 4-H Snow Camp during the winter in Idaho. “4-H is about teaching kids life skills that they can use wherever they go,” said Cindy Kinder, University of Idaho 4-H and Extension Educator, Camas County.

4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Learn more about 4-H camping programs at 4husa.org.

Return to top

Washington State 4-H Youth Podcast to an International Audience

Youth in Jefferson County, Wash. put together a podcast.

The 4-H News project in Jefferson County, Wash., is making the best better when it comes to publicly highlighting the educational contributions of 4-H youth programs.

4-H News is an evolving Internet media project that has youth in their communities capturing clubs, committees, events, and leaders in action.

The most powerful aspect of the project is its immediacy. Within minutes after shooting video of 4-H youth at a local rabbit show, these "Johnny-On-The-Spot" reporters published their stories to an international audience. Through Internet video, the public sees the children carefully grooming their rabbits and displaying a close emotional bond.

"You cannot capture in words the deep-rooted connections that 4-H youth develop with their animals. The power of video to communicate and share this relationship is inspirational," said Jack Olmsted, leader of the project.

The tools used to produce 4-H News are readily available in homes and offices—a video camera, computer linked to the Internet and telephone. In addition to video online, the 4-H News project also features photos and audio.

"Using any telephone, you can call a free service that automatically publishes your conversation online. This allows our leaders and youth to post "field reports" to an international audience immediately," explained Pamela Roberts, 4-H coordinator and partner in the project. "We use several free tools that permit 4-H leaders to easily create audio and video reference materials for their clubs."

"We would love to see 100 4-H youth nationwide capturing local activities through online media," explains Olmsted. "It can become a priceless resource for your club, community, country and the world."

You can go to http://4-hnews.blogspot.com to see the entire collection of Jefferson County 4-H News reports. If you would like to be involved with the project, contact Pamela Roberts at proberts@jefferson.wsu.edu.

Return to top

Atchison 4-H Afterschool Program Targets Healthy Lifestyles With Support from Cargill

Youth learn healthy lifestyles through hands-on cooking classes.

Atchison County, Kan.- Youth and their families discovered that choosing a healthy lifestyle can be fun as 4-H teens and volunteers partnered with the community, using funding from Cargill and National 4-H Council, to explore steps to follow to prevent childhood obesity. Three strategies were put into action.

Kids Zone was a comprehensive program established to empower youth to adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Atchison Childcare staff, a host to 4-H Afterschool programs, piloted the University of California Just for Kids curriculum. Using animal stories, youth learned about the importance of exercise and making healthy food choices, gained awareness that healthy bodies can be any size and explored feelings/emotions related to eating. Following 4-H’s experiential learning model, 53 youth applied their knowledge by participating in hands on Kids’ A Cookin’ classes and exploring a variety of physical activities. Parents were encouraged to model this behavior at home and as a family to participate in Kansas State University Extension—Atchison County’s Walk Kansas for Kids program. Parents of youth participating Kids Zone program reported that their children and their families increased physical activity time and increased daily consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods while decreasing the consumption of less healthy foods.

The second strategy targeted families of 253 first and second grade youth. Using a parent newsletter to create awareness about healthy lifestyle choices and a child’s book related to one of the food groups or exercise and a backpack; the Backpack Buddies program was established. Teens selected the books for the backpacks. Teachers distributed the backpacks and encouraged students to read the book to their parents. Six one-hour in-school presentations relating to the new my pyramid supplemented the second grade program. In addition, 60 youth participated in a week long Kids’ A Cookin’ camp.

The final strategy established a public awareness campaign in the community by empowering 4-H teens to collaborate with community leaders, County Extension staff and 4-H volunteers. 4-H teens partnered with the community to create radio PSAs, added healthy messages to gas station pumps, worked with local grocery stores and commodity groups to organize the Fantastic Food Function and encouraged fellow 4-H members to make healthy lifestyle choices.
For more information, contact Diane Nielson, Atchison County Extension educator, at dnielson@oznet.ksu.edu.

Return to top

Healthy Foods Vending Machine at Last for Eureka School, Thanks to 4-H and Cargill Funding

Thanks to a 2005 4-H Healthy Lifestyles Grant from Cargill, Eureka Public School students can find healthy choices in their school vending machine, the culmination of a comprehensive nutrition and physical fitness project carried out in 2005 by the Miracle Makers 4-H Club in Eureka, S.D. Eureka is a rural community so small that it only has one public school for grades K-12. The entire project was funded through a grant from Cargill in partnership with Kraft Foods Inc, and the National 4-H Council.

The nutrition-physical activity education project kicked off with a needs survey followed by a school staff training on childhood obesity. Youth leaders in the high school grades planned and carried out a ”Calcium Kick-off” for grades K-6 to promote milk consumption, with a record-setting 10,000 cartons of milk drank. Other projects carried out through 4-H youth-adults partnerships included holding a community-wide Health Fair, creation of a walking trail on the school playground, selling of healthy foods at school sports concession stands, and engaging students through various contests with incentives to encourage consumption of milk, vegetables and fruits, completion of wellness logs, utilization of the walking trail and the knowledge learned through a nutrition trivia quiz.

By far the hardest part of the project to achieve was the acquisition of a healthy foods vending machine. The Miracle Makers had hoped to eliminate the school’s soft drink machine but found it was covered by a 10-year contract. A healthy foods refrigerated vending machine was at last secured through the collaboration between a local community organization and a portion of the Cargill funding.

In a follow-up report, Project Director Joan Anderson said the vending machine is working very well with more than $16,000 deposited since fall to pay for 2,600 items stocked according to the South Dakota Department of Education list of approved items such as fresh orange and grapefruit sections, jerky, pudding, fresh cauliflower with ranch dip, low fat milks, fruit and vegetable juices, cheese and crackers, and baked chips. Responsibility for the machine has been capably handled by Eighth Grader Elizabeth Volzke and her family. The school project was recognized by a complimentary letter to the editor in the community newspaper, written by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth.

For more information, contact Joan Anderson at joan.anderson@k12.sd.us.

Return to top

National 4-H Council Announces EYSC 4 Grant Recipients

Proposals by 15 land-grant institutions have been selected for funding under the Expanding Youth Serving Community Round 4 Rural Youth Development Grant Program funded by CSREES USDA and managed by National 4-H Council. The institutions receiving these grant awards are: University of Arizona, University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Blackfeet Community College (Montana), University of California at Davis, Clemson University, University of Delaware and Delaware State University (collaborating), University of Florida, University of Idaho, University of Kentucky, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, Prairie View A&M (Texas), Texas A&M University and University of Wisconsin.

The grants are intended to help strengthen rural communities across America by providing leadership, service and educational opportunities and resources to rural youth, especially those from underserved and diverse populations.

“4-H is committed to empowering youth to make the decisions that impact their lives,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “These grants will help revitalize the concept of citizenship for youth and help maintain stable, vibrant and sustainable communities.”

EYSC is funded by the Rural Youth Development Grant from the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Overall, the program will impact at least 8,000 youth and adults in 80 rural communities nationwide.
4-H is a community of more than 7 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Council is the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture. Learn more about the 4-H adventure at www.4husa.org.

Return to top

2006 Healthy Lifestyles Grant Award Recipients Announced

Twenty-nine projects were funded from a field of 108 applicants for the 2006 Healthy Lifestyles Grants provided by National 4-H Council in partnership with Kraft Foods, Inc. and Cargill.

These funds will help communities create educational programs and public awareness to confront the climbing trends of youth obesity with emphasis on fitness, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles. The local grants of up to $7,000 will develop or expand innovative and fun programs that partner youth ages 5-12 with adults to reverse these trends.

The 2006 grant recipients are: Pike County, Ark.; Houston County, Ga.; Hawaii County, Hawaii; Canyon County, Idaho; Guthrie County and Wapello County, Iowa; McPherson County and Ford County, Kan.; Fayette County, Ky.; St. Clair County, Mich.; Statewide, Minn.; LeFlore County, Miss.; Lawrence County, Mo.; Dixon County, Neb.; Santa Fe County, Rio Arriba County and Los Alamos County, N.M.; Fulton County, Montgomery County, Rennselaer County and Rockland County, N.Y.; Statewide, N.D.; Butler County, Ohio; Clarion County and Snyder County, Pa.; Harris County, Runnels County and Travis County, Texas; St. Croix, US Virgin Islands; Salt Lake County, Utah; Fairfax County, Va.; Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College, Wis.

A broad variety of approaches and creative programs were offered through these applications, including afterschool, out-of-school, residential and day camp efforts to provide experiential learning opportunities for both youth and adults. Key components in the winning applications were the youth-adult collaborations that planned the proposed projects and then carried them out. The programs targeted underserved, ethnic or disadvantaged populations with plans in place for sustainability after this one-year grant is over.
A brief description of each selected grant recipient is posted on the National 4-H Council web site, www.fourhcouncil.edu. You can also register for the grants ListServ to be notified when this and other National 4-H Council grant opportunities are available. For further information, contact JoAnne Leatherman at jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu or call 301-961-2870.

Return to top

GPS Grows in California

An enthusiastic 4-H member teaches other youth how to use a GPS units a few hours after he himself had just learned how.

Submitted by Jess Falkenthal, California 4-H Computer Corps member

The use of GPS technologies is growing fast. California is seeking out as many opportunities as possible to put GPS units into the hands of youth and volunteers. One such event happened on March 25 at California 4-H's North Central Section Presentation Day when 164 4-Hers and their families gathered at the UC Davis campus to give 4-H presentations.

When the youth weren't presenting, they engaged in a GPS scavenger hunt called Geocaching presented by four members of the California 4-H Computer Corps, the state tech team for California, using seven units supplied by various county 4-H programs and Corps' members. Geocaching is a worldwide sport, played by using GPS units to seek hidden "treasures" called caches located at various waypoints (unique latitude and longitude coordinate). More information about Geocaching can be found at http://www.geocaching.com/.

The caches ranged in size from one-inch boxes stuffed into the campus chimes to shoebox-sized plastic containers hidden under benches, bridges and inside bushes. One cache involved finding plastic eggs that contained a waypoint of another plastic egg in a series. The eggs were hidden in campus sculptures, the roots of trees and bushes. After visiting four egg stages, the participants found the coordinates to a final cache filled with chocolate eggs! Other prizes hidden in caches included California 4-H bookmarks, tattoos, 4HUSA.org magnets, seashells, and UC Davis pins.

"The units are extremely easy to use! The kids picked up on them in about five minutes," said one presentation leader. "We had nine-year-olds working with units. And by the end of the day, some kids were so excited about what they had learned that they stepped in and taught other youth rather than us teaching them!"

Youth and adults set out in groups of three to six to find caches on the UC Davis campus. Thirty to 40 youth and adults participated each hour, for a total of around 150 4-H members and volunteers!

GPS is a new technology for the California 4-H Computer Corps, which has just recently expanded their training topics to include GPS. The Computer Corps is producing a Geocaching "Workshop in a Box" for others in the state to use in setting up their own geocaching activities during other 4-H events.

"GPS skills are extremely marketable in the business world today. It's quite exciting to be able to offer youth the opportunity to explore GPS technology in a fun method that encourages them to seek out opportunities to implement GPS into their club and county programs. We had many youth and parents enthusiastic about returning home to purchase their own units," said another member of the Computer Corps.

Other topics that the California 4-H Computer Corps will be teaching this year include an introduction to online culture, beginning and advanced web design, computer animation, digital photography, Microsoft Office, and digital audio. For more information about the GPS trainings offered by the California 4-H Computer Corps, visit: http://ca4h.org/compcorps/GPS/.

Return to top

Resources and Opportunities:

Teaching Moments

Busy parents want to raise happy, caring and responsible children. Teaching Moments are life-skills ideas for busy parents. Each idea is designed to help children learn how to take more responsibility for their homework, their education and their life. Each Teaching Moment (150 - 300 words) idea includes:
1. Questions to stimulate positive and meaningful family discussion
2. Suggestions for implementation
View these tips at www.TeachingMoments.com.

Return to top

Harvard Family Research

A new issue of "The Evaluation Exchange," the Harvard Family Research Project's quarterly publication, is now available. This issue focuses on evaluating professional development across a range of fields, including after school and youth development, education, early childhood education, and child welfare. Download a copy or read the HTML version at: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/eval/issue32/.

Return to top

Good Knight Empowers Youth

GoodKnight.org, Mother Against Predators, USA Freedom Corps, NEA and other concerned organizations have joined forces to protect children from predators with free lifesaving bilingual (English/Spanish) materials and programs. Visit www.goodknight.org or call 301-595-8989 for more information.

Return to top

Youth Development Distance Education

Earn a master’s degree or certificate in youth development online through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance. Universities participating in the alliance are Colorado State University, Kansas State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a student in the program, you will take classes through a convenient on-line format from faculty at each of the participating universities and interact with students from around the world. The graduate programs in youth development are designed to assist in career development and help you make a difference in the lives of youth. For more information, visit www.gpidea.org/prospective/youthdev/ydProgram.html

Return to top

DeVry University Offers Two Opportunities

High school students can earn no-cost college credits this summer with DeVry University’s Passport2College (P2C) program. This six-week program gives rising juniors and rising seniors the opportunity to take a three or four credit college-level course AND EARN CREDIT AT NO TUITION COST. Because DeVry University is a regionally accredited university, these credits are transferable to other academic institutions. For more information about P2C and classes offered during this summer program please go to: www.devry.edu/dc/p2c and download a copy of the brochure.

A day-long Young Women in Technology workshop at DeVry University’s Arlington, Va., campus encourages and reinforces the interest of young women (high school females) in technology. The event is designed to provide educators with the skills to encourage and reinforce young women’s interest in these career fields, to introduce young women to motivational and inspirational female role models currently working in technology-related fields, and to increase the number of young women pursuing technology-related careers.

For more information about either opportunity, contact Laverne Gosling, director, community relations at 703-414-4075 or email lgosling@dc.devry.edu.

Return to top

NetAid Global Citizen Corps—2006-2007 Application Now Open!

Do you know high school students who want to make a difference in the lives of the world’s poor? Would you like to help schools get more involved in addressing global challenges like HIV/AIDS, hunger, and access to education? Tell students to apply for the NetAid Global Citizen Corps (GCC)! The Global Citizen Corps is a national network of high school student leaders working to educate and mobilize their peers in efforts to end global poverty. You can learn more about the GCC and how students can apply online at www.netaid.org/go/gcc.

Return to top

Peace Corps Celebrates its 45th Anniversary: Promoting World Peace and Friendship

The Peace Corps invites 4-H Clubs to join in celebrating the enduring legacy of service at home and abroad during its 45th Anniversary celebration.

How can my 4-H Club participate in the 45th Anniversary Celebration?

Inspire the next generation of activists and leaders. Invite a returned Peace Corps Volunteer to speak at a club meeting. Volunteers speak about their countries of service and experience oversees, showing artifacts and photos. Give your 4-Hers an understanding of global issues, a vision of service in the international arena, and information about possible careers. Visit your local returned Peace Corps Volunteer Speakers Bureau, http://www.rpcv.org/pages/groups.cfm, to find out about speakers or events in your area.

Get short, adaptable lesson plans and activities that build cross-cultural awareness, respect, and communication from Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools classroom resources. Request your copy of Uncommon Journeys: Peace Corps Adventures Across Cultures, Building Bridges training guide, DVD, bookmarks, and a full-color monthly activity poster that celebrates the world at http://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/leadership.

Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information and to find a recruitment office near you. Peace Corps is always looking for people with an interest and experience in agriculture and the environment.

Return to top

Xerox Corporation Says Thanks

To honor our soldiers across the country and increase community morale, Xerox Corporation has created “Let’s Say Thanks,” a national program designed to deliver thousands of cards with messages of support from home. They are looking for youth from 4-H clubs across the country to help support our soldiers overseas by drawing a picture that says thank you and submitting their original drawings to be considered for the covers of the cards going to the soldiers.

For more information on Let’s Say Thanks, please contact Jennifer Bulmahn at 585-697-2614 or jenniferb@text100.com.

Return to top

Georgetown College VIP Event

Come learn more about the Equine Scholars Program (ESP) at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky., from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 28. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the campus, hear from students involved with the ESP, and speak one-on-one with the program’s directors and financial aid representatives. The event for potential students makes them eligible for a scholarship just by attending and learning more about the Equine Scholars Program. For information, contact Randa Remer at 502-863-8121.

Return to top