Virginia Horse Center, Lexington

The Virginia Beef Expo will again be conducted at the Virginia Horse Center at Lexington, Virginia. This site offers the opportunity to conduct many more events simultaneously. Consequently, the youth cattle shows will be fit into the 2-day schedule of the Expo.

Attached is the schedule for the youth events to be held at the Expo. Information about entries will be coming from the junior breed associations soon. For information about the cattle sales and trade show, contact the show manager, Jim Johnson, at the Virginia Cattlemens Association office, 540/992-1009.
(Mark Wahlberg)

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Third Annual Youth Conservationist Program

As breeders of heritage wool breeds we recognize that the future of livestock conservation depends less on our individual efforts and more on our successes in both educating members of the next generation as to the importance of livestock conservation and getting them directly involved. For these reasons six registered purebred ewe lambs will be awarded to aspiring young shepherds through the Third Annual Youth Conservationist Program (YCP). The awards will be made at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival (MS&WF), Howard County Fair Grounds, MD, on May 7, 2000. More details attached.
(Mark Wahlberg)

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Horticulture Course For Educators!

"Integrating Horticulture into the Elementary School Curriculum: Meeting the SOLs through Interdisciplinary Experiences"

Offered by the Department of Horticulture at Virginia Tech June 26 - 30, 2000
Green Spring Gardens Park, Fairfax Co., VA

In addition to the one-week class held in June, there will be a follow-up meeting at Green Springs Garden Park in the fall (time and date to be announced). Classes will be full day, with a limit of 20 enrollees. This course is applicable for recertification, graduate degree programs, and professional development.

This course will provide elementary school teachers, Master Gardeners, and horticulture educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate gardening and horticulture into the elementary school curriculum. Participants will learn how to construct interdisciplinary, garden-based educational units, which meet many of Virginia's new Standards of Learning, to use with their students. Gardening and caring for plants are practical, hands-on approaches to learning that can be used to demonstrate many educational topics and appeal to a variety of learners. This is a practical teaching approach that can be applied both indoors and outdoors. Course topics include horticulture and gardening as they relate to history, geography, nutrition, literature, mathematics, science, social studies, and art. In addition, participants will be introduced to the field of horticulture therapy, Cooperative Extension Service programs, and gardening with special needs students. Participants will develop interdisci-plinary, garden-based curriculum and implement that curriculum with their own students.

Upon successfully completing this course participants will:

• be able to construct an interdisciplinary, garden-based educational unit that can meet many of Virginia's new Standards of Learning
• have a greater understanding of plants and their influence on human culture
• develop contacts with horticulture specialists and volunteers for classroom and curriculum support
• successfully plant and maintain a variety of plant materials
• use a variety of horticultural practices to enhance the use of plants in the curriculum, for example, asexual propagation, grafting, soil testing, vermiculture, and composting.

For more information or to sign up for the course contact Laurie DeMarco, Department of Horticulture, Mail Code 0327, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 ; Telephone: (540) 389-6594; e-mail: ldemarco@vt.edu
(Diane Relf)

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Holiday Lake Forestry Camp

The Virginia Department of Forestry is now taking nominations for Forestry Camp held June 19-24 at the Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center.

Campers must have an interest in the out-of-doors or in learning about natural resources. It is for ages 13-16. Selected campers receive a scholarship valued at $150. Adult volunteers are also eligible to apply. Forestry Camp is an outstanding educational event taught by forestry professionals. Campers learn skills they can use in 4-H forestry judging and are introduced to careers in natural resources.

In its 54th year, this camp is the oldest youth conservation program in Virginia. The application is attached to this newsletter. For more information, contact David Coffman, Va Dept. of Forestry, 804-977-6555
(Jeff Kirwan)

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Virginia-Costa Rica 4-H/4-S Exchange

This program is for teens who are interested in learning about the world's forests and related resources. We will be having in-bound and out-bound groups participating this year.

Out-bound, June 30-July 13
Tara Ashley (Nelson Co.)
Erika Grayson (Rockingham Co.)
Sam Miller (Clarke Co.)
Rebecca Myrtle (Nelson Co.)
Mary Jane Epps (Albemarle Co.)
Tyler Salyers (Scott Co.)
Chris Chapman (Scott Co.)
Shannon Gallo (Scott Co.)
Travis Darnell (Scott Co.)
Julia Fletcher, adult volunteer (P. William Co.)
Karen Hartsock, adult volunteer (Scott Co.)

The in-bound group will be hosted by Carroll County for approximately the same dates. Our Costa Rica partners live near Aguas Zarcus in the tropical rain forest region of northeastern Costa Rica. For more information, contact Jeff Kirwan, 540-231-7265 or jkirwan@vt.edu.
(Jeff Kirwan)

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4-H/CHARACTER COUNTS! in the Commonwealth

The applicants have been notified of acceptance for the Second State 4-H CHARACTER COUNTS! Train-the-Trainer event, scheduled for March 14-16, 2000, at Smith Mt. Lake 4-H Educational Center. Some 80 adults will be involved in this 3-day staff development event designed to prepare trainers to work in back-home work with the program. They will pay back for this training by working with local school, civic organizations, and others interested in character education. The 4-H Leadership and Personal Development Curriculum Component Committee is sponsoring this training event.

Last month's pillar focused on trustworthiness.

The second pillar is being featured in this article - respect.

RESPECT

The pillar of Respect includes treating others with respect--follow the Golden Rule; be tolerant of differences; use good manners--not bad language; be considerate of the feelings of others; don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone; deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements. This pillar relates to the Golden Rule, sometimes called the 'Rule of Reciprocity.'

Confucius (500 B.C.): What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others."

Aristotle (325 B.C.): We should behave to others as we wish others to behave to us."

From the Mahabharata (200 B.C.): "Do nothing to thy neighbor which thou wouldst not have him do to thee thereafter."

Jesus (30 A.D.): "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

As stated by Michael Josephson of the Josephson Institute of Ethics, "The duty to communicate--to both speak and listen is a function of respect. Being treated with respect means that our opinions and feelings are acknowledged and considered important, and that matters of significance are discussed.

Respect demands that we listen and hear the other person, to acknowledge the validity of their feelings (even if we think they are based on false assumptions, faulty reasoning, or excessive reactions) and treat seriously matters that are serious to them."

Perhaps even greater is the statement, "It violates respect and the claims of trust to trivialize or demean the thoughts or emotions of those who trust us...to 'tune the other person out,' to hang up on them, walk out of the room to terminate discussion or to refuse to answer calls or read mail."

What does it mean to be a person of respect?

• You are an attentive listener--treating others with consideration, worth, and dignity.
• You treat everyone with respect--even if they don't deserve respect.

The reason is not because these folks are human beings, but Because we are.

• You treat others with courtesy, civility, and dignity.
• You are tolerant and honor everyone's right to autonomy and privacy.

Each of us need to check our own actions to see if they match up to these principles listed above. Perhaps the most difficult area of treating others with respect is with our own families--those closest to us.
Bob Meadows

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Thoughts on Homesickness at Camp

This article is based on one submitted to the Penn State 4-H Information Newsletter by Anne L. Heinsohn, and is one that should be seriously considered by those responsible for the 4-H camp program.

The 4-H camp season is a few months away, and most of us are not thinking about being at camp; however, this article may provide information to assist you when camp takes place. The topic is homesickness.

First time campers, and in many cases, parents of these campers, often experience periods of homesickness. I prefer to call this homemissing , and it's a natural thing to miss home when this is your first time away, or one has not been away from the home environment for an extended period of time. Looking at the positive side that homesickness is natural, how do we, as 4-H camp administrators, deal with children, teen staff, and even adults who may be going through the anxiety of homemissing?

In the training phase that each of us must conduct to prepare our camp staffs for the summer 4-H camp experience, it is imperative that we do not overlook the training on dealing with this problem. The answer is not to let the camper or staff member to call home. Camp staffs should be prepared with a variety of strategies to help other campers survive homesickness and have a successful camping experience. All staff should be alert and aware of signs that indicate one is homesick. These include crying alot, getting off by oneself, not actively participating in activities, and others.

Homesickness is developmentally appropriate for children in the camp setting. Learning to cope with being away from the routine of family life is one of the developmental tasks and a part of growing up. A good idea is to also prepare parents for this ordeal, as many of them continually call to check up on their child and want to speak to him/her. One idea is to have the camper and child kiss and/or hug five times before the camp begins (one for each day the child and parent are going to be separated), and repeat this upon the return of the child from 4-H camp.

Staff should try to involve the homesick person by linkage with an experienced camper or staff, getting that person involved in some interested activity, staying in camp for just one day at a time, and to have a goal to help that person to have a positive camping experience. Sometimes it is a good idea to have veteran campers to share their earlier encounters with homesickness, and how they coped with the situation and had such a great time, that they returned for another experience. This veteran camper could be paired with a homesick camper.

All camp staff should be trained and prepared with strategies to help campers survive homemissing during the camp experience. For further staff training examples and guides, contact your respective 4-H center program director for help.
(Bob Meadows)

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4-H Camping--What Difference Does It Make?

Since the first 4-H camp in the world was conducted in 1915, every state has offered at one time or another 4-H camping programs for youth. Today, residential camping reaches thousands of youth each year throughout the United States. Are we offering the same old, same old year after year, do we conduct 4-H camps because it is an expectation in one's job description, do we actively plan quality camping experiences for new and experienced campers to build our 4-H program, or do we know what differences take place in the lives of youth because of the camping experience?

What does camp do for campers? This thought crosses my mind continuously as I work with staffs throughout the Commonwealth. As stated by Dustin (Dustin, 1989), Camps light sparks in children and young people, which may take flame now or which may require years to burn.

We know from research and experience that camp can lead to significant positive, even life-changing outcomes. Camps have...chance to reach the children who fail in schools or who simply pass time there...extend the horizons of those children who succeed in school. Camp shows young people new and alternative ways of living, gives them time to consider which they might like to adopt, and supports them in change and growth [and] allows them to experience the natural environment in deep, healing, inspirational ways. Camp has a distinctive supportive environment, made up of four major dimensions: the outdoor setting, positivetreatment of individuals, positive norms and expectations, and stability and structure. Camp is different from home, community, and school in many significant ways. Here are eight major differences:

1. Parents are not here.
2. No television.
3. We do different activities.
4. Learning is different at camp.
5. Camp has different values.
6. You have different relationships with peers, friends, and adults at camp.
7. Camp has a different environment than home.
8. I can be a different person at camp (Chenery, 1994).

When planning for your camps whether residential or day experiences, take into consideration the four major dimensions and eight differences stated above to plan for every child participating in your 4-H camp experiences. Use these to the advantage of the child in better preparing him/her for real world life experiences. This will help children to become effective, contributing citizens.

Dustin, D.L. (1989). Magical Outcomes of Organized Camping: The Total Camp Environment. Camping Magazine, 62 (1), pp. 31-35.

Chenery, F.C. (1994). Explaining the Value of Camp. Camping Magazine, May-June, pp. 20-21.
(Bob Meadows)

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4-H Impact

The following note from a 4-H member to her 4-H agent upon completion of college articulates best what 4-H has bent to the youth in the Commonwealth.

"When I think of what a huge impact 4-H has had on my life, I am simply overwhelmed. I do know that I would not be the person that I am today if it had not been for this program. You have been there to encourage and help me grow ever since I joined 4-H as a 9-year-old. To this day, I remember absolutely dreading giving 4-H presentations and livestock/horse judging reasons. However, I am now ever so thankful for the encouragement all of you gave me to do things I never though possible. It has helped me succeed in college and in many other ways, too. I just wanted to say "thank you" for your hard work and dedication."

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Virginia 4-H Foundation
Local Units and Clubs Mini-Grant Program
Request for Application
2000

The Virginia 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce its annual mini-grant program to support club and local unit 4-H initiatives. This program is designed to provide resources that can be leveraged locally to create and/or expand the educational opportunities being provided at the local level. Up to 20 program proposals will be funded at a maximum level of $250.

Due Date: APRIL 10, 2000

Funding Categories:

To assist applicants in determining criteria for selection, the Virginia 4-H Foundation has decided to create funding categories for focus annually. This year's program will focus on proposals that demonstrate quality educational strategies that will develop skills and knowledge of 4-H members in one of the following two areas:

1. Leadership — programs that enhance the abilities of youth to become leaders.
2. Community Service/Service Learning–programs that facilitate youth involvement in enhancing the communities in which they live.

Eligibility:

The mini-grant program is open to all 4-H clubs and local Virginia Cooperative Extension units.

Selection Criteria:

• Each proposal will be judged on the quality of the program outlined including how the grant will be leveraged to secure additional funding, the number of youth who will benefit from the program, the objectives of the activity and the impacts that will result.
• Proposals that do not fall within the guidelines will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the 4-H Foundation's Grants and Awards Committee at its April 20th meeting. Awardees will be announced at the Virginia 4-H Foundation's Luncheon during State 4-H Congress, June 21.

Please limit your response to the space provided on the application form. It is not necessary to provide more information that space provided. Applications may also be downloaded from the Virginia 4-H Foundation website located at http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/foundation.html under Mini Grants.

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Virginia 4-H Camping Policy
4-H AGE and POLICY REQUIREMENTS
FOR TEEN AND ADULT CAMP STAFF/DEFINITIONS
(Counselors-in-Training, Teen Camp Counselors, and Adult 4-H Camp Volunteers)

Given the fact that there seems to be some confusion throughout the state concerning the age policy for teen camp counselors, and age eligibility for attending 4-H junior camps at the 4-H educational centers, the following policy was enacted by the 4-H Leadership Council on February 10, 2000, and goes into effect immediately:

(The 4-H year is October 1 - September 30).

• If a child is 4 years of age, but will become 5 years of age during the 4-H year, he/she is eligible to attend a Cloverbud 4-H camp.

• If a child is 8 years of age, but will become 9 years of age during the 4-H year in which a 4-H junior camp is held, he/she is eligible to attend a 4-H junior camp. [note: this covers the lower minimum age requirement].

• If a child is 13 years of age, but will be 14 during the 4-H year in which a 4-H junior camp is held, he/she is eligible to attend a 4-H junior camp. [note: this covers the upper maximum age requirement].

• This does NOT change the age requirements for a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) or TEEN Camp Counselor. In order to be eligible to become a Teen Camp Counselor, a teen must be 14 years of age or older by January 1 of the 4-H year.

Age on January 1 of the Current Year
13 years of age - may attend 4-H camp as a camper (or CIT)
14 years of age - may attend 4-H camp as a Teen Leader

Birthday between January 2 through and including September 30 of the Current Year
13 years of age - may attend 4-H camp as a camper
14 years of age - may attend 4-H camp as a camper (or CIT)

Definitions of 4-H Camp Staff and Minimum Requirements

Counselor-in-Training (CIT's):

one in a learning role under the supervision, guidance, direction, and/or leadership of an experienced camp counselor to become a future 4-H camp counselor.

Minimum Requirements-

any youth selected by the Extension staff responsible for the camp(s) may serve in the role as a counselor-in-training. The respective 4-H educational center, unit Extension office, or a combination of both may set specific age requirements. Other requirements are as follows:

• Be selected by the respective unit staff;
• Be a positive role model and display maturity (based on the judgment of unit staff);
• May not have sole supervision of campers during the camp event at any time;

Teen 4-H Camp Counselor

one who serves as a supervisor of children in the camp setting; serves in place of the parent and assumes responsibility for the well-being of the campers in his/her care at all times; serves under the supervision, guidance, direction, and/or leadership of the Extension staff (paid or volunteer) in charge of the 4-H camping event.

Minimum Requirements-

any teen selected by the Extension staff responsible for the camp(s) may serve in the role of a 4-H Teen Camp Counselor providing he/she meets the following requirements:

• Be 14 years of age or older by January 1 of the current year (should be older based on experience and maturity-the age 14 is the absolute minimum age);
• Be selected by the unit Extension staff;
• Be a positive role model and display maturity (based on the judgment of unit staff);
• Be trained prior to the camping experience in which he/she plans to serve (refer to the Virginia Guide to 4-H Camp Counselors Training).

Adult 4-H Camp Volunteer Leader

one who serves as a volunteer in the camp setting, in one or more roles, under the supervision, guidance, direction, and/or leadership of the 4-H staff (paid or volunteer)..

Minimum Requirements-

any adult selected by the Extension staff responsible for the camp(s) may serve in the Role of an Adult 4-H Camp Volunteer Leader providing he/she meets the following requirements:

• Be at least 19 years of age or older by January 1 of the current year;
• Be selected by the unit Extension staff;
• Be a positive role model and display maturity (based on judgment of unit staff);
• Be trained prior to the camping experience in which he/she plans to serve (refer to the Virginia Guide to 4-H Camp Counselors Training).

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2000 Beef Expo
Youth Program
Virginia Horse Center, Lexington

The Virginia Beef Expo will again be conducted at the Virginia Horse Center at Lexington, Virginia. This site offers the opportunity to conduct many more events simultaneously. Consequently, the youth cattle shows will be fit into the 2-day schedule of the Expo.

Below is the schedule for the youth events to be held at the Expo. Information about entries will be coming from the junior breed associations soon. For information about the cattle sales and trade show, contact the show manager, Jim Johnson, at the Virginia Cattlemens Association office, 540/992-1009.

Friday, April 14
6:00 pm		Youth Cattle must be in place Sign up for Showmanship
6:30 to 8:00 pm		Weigh and Hip Height Measurement for Youth Steers
Saturday, April 15 - All Cattle Shows held in Anderson Coliseum
8 - 10 am		Showmanship Competition for Youth Exhibitors - Showrings 1 & 2
9-12 am		Youth and Adult Stockmans Contest - Main Level of Anderson Coliseum
10 am - 11 am		Youth Commercial Replacement Heifer Show - Showring 1
10 - 12 am		Youth Hereford Show - Showring 2
10 am - 2 pm		Forage Knowledge Contest - Main Level of Anderson Coliseum
11 am - 2 pm		Youth Angus Show - Showring 1
12 — 2 pm		Youth Simmental Show - Showring 2
1 - 3 pm		Youth Cattle Working Contest - Moore Arena
2 - 3 pm		Youth Show of Other Breeds of Registered Heifers - Showring 1
2 - 3 pm		Youth Shorthorn Show - Showring 2
3 - 4 pm		Contest Awards Presentation - Anderson Coliseum
4:30 - 6:30 pm		Youth All-Breeds Steer Show
Load up and Head for Home

Virginia Beef Expo Entry Forms

Commercial Replacement and Other Registered Heifers
All-Breed Steer Show

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Third Annual Youth Conservationist Program

As breeders of heritage wool breeds we recognize that the future of livestock conservation depends less on our individual efforts and more on our successes in both educating members of the next generation as to the importance of livestock conservation and getting them directly involved. For these reasons six registered purebred ewe lambs will be awarded to aspiring young shepherds through the Third Annual Youth Conservationist Program (YCP).

The awards will be made at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival (MS&WF), Howard County Fair Grounds, MD, on May 7, 2000. Breeds participating in the 2000 YCP include: Karakul, Coopworth, Leicester Longwool, Scottish Blackface, Tunis and Cotswold.

YCP Objectives: Our purpose in awarding lambs to aspiring shepherds is to create an awareness of the importance of preserving heritage breeds and to help others to:

• Experience first-hand the many unique values of heritage wool breeds of sheep.
• Learn about the various uses of wool and/or effective marketing of fleeces.
• Experience caring for and exhibiting a wool breed of sheep.
• Learn about the life cycle of sheep.

YCP Requirements: All of the following criteria must be met in order to be considered for selection.

• Be between 12 and 18 years old.
• If selected, be present to receive the lamb at the MS&WF on May 7, 2000.
• Agree to exhibit the lamb at least twice in 2000 at: 1) A county fair or local sheep show; and, 2) The state fair in the state where the recipient lives.
• Agree to breed the lamb to a registered ram in the fall of 2000.
• Agree to either use the lamb’s first fleece to personally make a woolen item or sell the fleece to a spinner, felter or weaver.
• Submit a one to two-page typed project report, with pictures, to the donor breeder by April 30, 2001.

Application: Any youth interested in being considered for selection should submit a one-page typed application to: Richard Larson, Old Gjerpen Farm, 11917 Airlea Drive, Nokesville, VA 20181 by April 8, 2000. The application should include your home phone number and (if available) your email address. The applicant should:

• Describe yourself and your experience with animals.
• Explain your interest in sheep.
• Answer the question: "Why I would like to help preserve a heritage breed?"
• Indicate if you wish to be considered only for a particular breed or any of the six participating breeds.

Information about livestock breeds conservation may be obtained from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. There are located at: www.albc-usa.org Phone: (910) 542-5704. Information about the MS&WF can be found at: www.sheepandwoolfestival.org .

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