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Dear Co-workers:
Since beginning my new role as Associate Director, 4-H for the Commonwealth of Virginia on July 1, life has been extremely busy and hectic, to say the least. I am, however, very excited, humbled, and eager to continue the 4-H legacy of making the best better.
I have received numerous cards, notes of congratulations, and phone calls over the past month and sincerely appreciate all the kind and encouraging words. This job has many responsibilities, and helps me to greater value the work and leadership of our recent head clover, John Dooley.
The greatest task that faces our state 4-H department presently is filling the vacant positions. We have three positions open: 4-H Specialist, Curriculum and Learning Process; 4-H Specialist, Staff Development and Youth Camping and Executive Secretary. We are anxious to have these filled, but want to have the best candidate's possible.
Although we were taken by surprise with Martha McCollum's sudden departure to take a job as fund developer with the College of Engineering here on campus, (and we wish her well), we were able to have an emergency declared and to interview a candidate for this vacancy. The good news is that effective September 1, Dr. Fred Schlutt will begin work as Executive Director of the Virginia 4-H Foundation. He is currently serving as such with Wyoming 4-H. We are very excited and anxious to have Dr. Schlutt join us. He brings 21 years of Extension experience with both Texas and Wyoming 4-H and will work very closely with the Virginia 4-H Foundation Board of Directors to provide support to our programming efforts.
Please know that I value and encourage your input as to making the 4-H program grow and develop to become the nation's leader in 4-H programming efforts. I look forward to discussing the future of 4-H with you in the weeks to come.
In its 5th year, the Fall River Renaissance is a citizen involvement campaign designed to encourage and recognize Virginians of all ages who are working to improve Virginia waters and other natural resources. Virginians are encouraged to give of time and resources to improve the quality of rivers, lakes, streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Attachments with ideas of how you and your club can help, forms for photo contests, cleanup campaigns, and adopt a stream were sent with printed copies of this letter to all Extension Offices. Virginia 4-H can contribute greatly to this effort.
(Bob Meadows)
Funds raised above actual expenses are administered by the Virginia 4-H Foundation for the benefit of the Virginia 4-H Youth Development Program.
A copy of the program and registration form can be requested by contacting Tracy Sebring, 540-231-6372.
Be sure to mark your calendars and help your club members plan something special to celebrate National 4-H Week. News articles, posters, store or school displays, picnics, assemblies, ... ...
The recent State 4-H Congress was a successful event, thanks to the participation and involvement of the teen delegates, adult volunteers, Extension agents, and specialists. The state's premier 4-H teen event was well attended by 724 delegates. Rockingham County, for the 5th year, had the largest delegation (27). Bland County was recognized with the largest percentage of increase in participants. Twenty three units reached the "goal of 10 or more delegates". To review State Competition winners click on the following site: http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/00congress/
For picture highlights from Congress click on the following site.. http://www.va4hweb.org/congress.html
(Dorothy Freeman)
The annual Congressional Games event was conducted Tuesday evening, and a new state champion emerged with Central District scoring a total of 4400 points. Congratulations to Central District for their efforts and good sportsmanship. The overall scores in the various events are attached in the Congress Wrapup.
(Bob Meadows)
Make the Difference is the theme for the 2000 National 4-H Congress. The program will reflect the personality of Atlanta. A variety of educational, cultural and recreational opportunities focusing on leadership, youth empowerment, and cultural diversity will be offered. Delegates will have opportunities to visit Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center and the Carter Presidential Library and Martin Luther king Center.
Virginia 4-H delegates are selected to participate by submitting 4-H resumes by April 1 of each year and by participating in 4-H Interviews during State 4-H Congress. Again, congratulations to our delegates and chaperones.
(Billie Cline)
Thanks to everyone who nominated young people to the 54th Annual Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, held June 19-24. 93 youth, 25 full time staff and 12 daytime instructors attended the camp. Staff and instructors included industry foresters, government foresters, and graduate students in the College of Natural Resources, biologists, teachers and other volunteers. It was a very good week. Extension Agents and 4-H volunteers nominated sixteen of the campers.
The top 20 academic campers were recognized at the end of camp. However, any of the campers would make excellent teen leaders for 4-H programs in your county. Please feel free to contact me for additional information.
Top 20 Academic Campers, Holiday Lake Forestry Camp, 2000:
(Jeff Kirwan)
Poster Contest Rules
Deadline: Posters are due to County Cooperative Extension Offices by September 10, 2000. County Extension Offices will choose one poster in each of the three age categories (Category I: ages 5-8, Category II: Ages 9-12, Category III: Ages 13-19) to represent their county 4-H program. The County Extension Office should then send those posters to the state 4-H leader by October 10, 2000. From these posters, the state 4-H leader will select one winning poster from each age category and forward them to The National 4-H Council at: 4-H Centennial Poster Contest, National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-4999 no later than November 10, 2000.
(Bob Meadows)
The pillar of FAIRNESS may seem difficult to clearly define. Most everyone has opinions about what is fair and what isn't. When it comes to fairness, it is often a matter of perception. There may be more than one fair choice when making decisions based upon fairness. There are, however, some basic practices to follow when making fair decisions. These include:
Fairness don'ts:
Fairness Quotes:
Thoughts on fairness:
Remember the last phrase of the Pledge of Allegiance: "with liberty and justice for all."
Good Housekeeping Magazine recently included an article, "Summer Camp Shocker: Safety Mistakes That Kill Kids" (May, 2000). Given the fact the article focused on the death of a child during a summer camping experience, and this is a tragedy, Virginia 4-H takes issue with the negative slant that the author takes against camps being safe.
Parents need to know the facts and not jump to conclusions that all camps are unsafe. Virginia's 4-H Educational Centers, one located for each of the six geographic areas of the state, are safe places to send their child to camp and we have a long history of camp safety policies and practices. Thousands of boys and girls participate in 4-H sponsored camps each year. Our major focus and concern is for the well being and safety of each camper placed in our care.
It is important to be informed that all six of Virginia's 4-H Educational Centers are accredited by the American Camping Association. This accreditation is not easy to obtain or maintain. The staff of each 4-H center work throughout the year to focus and improve on all standards that have been established by ACA. The truth is that Virginia's 4-H centers go above and beyond the safety standards established by ACA.
The courts throughout America recognize the standards and professionalism of ACA. These standards are the highest available, but the Good Housekeeping article did not properly represent this in the above-mentioned story. Let's explore the facts. In answering the "Questions You Should Ask" section of the article, Virginia's 4-H camping program has these policies:
How are the counselors selected and trained? The respective 4-H center Program Director and a panel of Extension agents and volunteers recruit all summer 4-H program staff. References are required and thoroughly checked to determine that no background problems exist. In essence, quality staff are recruited for the camping programs.
All summer 4-H program staff are required to participate in an extensive training program prior to the 4-H camping season. This includes a four-day/three-night statewide training event and a minimum of a weeklong training at the respective 4-H center. In addition, these programming staff receive on-the-job training as the camps progress. Staff development includes focus on risk management, age-appropriate programming for the youth they will serve, CPR and First Aid, intensive training on all aspects of 4-H camp programming and operations, and a multitude of camp activities. Subject matter training is emphasized, since 4-H is educationally based, and taught by those who know how to teach.
Each county and city Extension staff recruits and trains adult and teen volunteers to serve as camp counselors for younger children. Each of these volunteers are required to participate in pre-camp training dealing with risk management, age-appropriate programming for youth they will serve, behavior management, chain of command, limits of authority, the rules and safety procedures of the respective 4-H center, and specific job duties. These are approved and sanctioned by the State 4-H Office at Virginia Tech.
What's the ratio of campers to counselors? Virginia's 4-H camping program has a very high ratio of counselors and staff to campers, with 1 counselor/staff for every six campers. Not even the public school system provides this ratio for supervision of students. Virginia's 4-H camping exceeds the recommended ratio of supervision of campers in all its camps.
Is the camp insured? All six 4-H educational centers have insurance coverage and take out additional major medical coverage in the event that parents do not have insurance coverage. All insurance plans are reviewed and approved annually by the Risk Management Department of Virginia Tech.
How long has the camp been in business? Virginia 4-H has been in the camping business since 1915. For over 85 years, thousands of youth are involved each year in 4-H camping programs throughout the state. Safety and programming quality is emphasized and each 4-H Center Director and Program Director, as well as all camp staff, participates each year in risk management training and updates. The Risk Management Department of Virginia Tech provides this training, and a representative is present to provide updates at each quarterly meeting of the Directors and Program Directors.
Is the camp ACA accredited? All six 4-H educational centers have achieved ACA accreditation, as stated previously, and maintain these standards on an annual basis. Each center must go through a re-accreditation process every two years. ACA has been the leader in camp safety for over 50 years-safety is at the core of ACA's accreditation and educational programs and materials.
ACA standards are recognized by the courts of law and government regulators as the standard of care for the camp industry. Because accreditation is voluntary, parents know the camp is committed to best practices.
ACA standards establish criteria for:
ACA accreditation assures parents that camp practices have been measured against national standards and go a step beyond many state and federal laws. Accreditation does not and cannot guarantee that nothing will go wrong.
Does the camp have a written safety plan? All six 4-H educational centers have written safety plans that are reviewed and updated annually. All camp staff, salaried and volunteer, are provided training in these safety plans. Additionally, these plans are reviewed and updated by the Risk Management Department of Virginia Tech on a regular basis.
Who's in charge during off-site trips? Not all 4-H Centers have off-site trips; however, those that do have a written plan that includes who is in charge at all times. Trained adult staff are in charge of these trips, under the supervision, guidance, and direction of the respective 4-H center Program Director. Supervision includes both male and female staff.
Who drives the camp vans or buses? Again, not all centers have camp vans or buses; however, those that do have a written plan that includes who drives at all times. Trained adult staff are in charge of driving these vehicles, and must pass all required exams in order to be able to drive these vehicles. These staffs are under the supervision, guidance, and direction of the respective 4-H center Program Director.
Who will provide medical care? Each 4-H Center has a medical person on the property during the summer 4-H camping season. This is either an EMT or a nurse. Each center is under the guidance and advice of a medical doctor who advises the camp about the emergency medical plans and treatment. Each 4-H center has a written medical plan that outlines the procedures for medical treatment of each camper. Medical records are kept for each camper as well.
According to the National Safety Council-National Safe Kids Campaign, National Clearing House on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, and National Program for Playground Safety:
Even though the article's focus was on the lack of proper supervision and safety of Camp Scatico, and justifiably so, we take issue with the author's slanted view against American Camping Association's accreditation policies.
In conclusion, approximately 30,000 youth and adults attend 4-H camping programs each year at Virginia's six 4-H Educational Centers. Parents can be assured that safety is the concern for all campers participating in our 4-H camping programs, and the negative slant against camping represented in the Good Housekeeping article should be taken into consideration with the facts listed above.
(Robert Ray Meadows and James Gardner)
Greetings from the New Director
Centennial Poster Contest Entry Form
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