Among these include the annual State 4-H Congress held June 20-23. Billed as the premier teen 4-H event in the state, this year's delegates benefitted from the quality schedule of events, programs, and presenters. Check the 4-H Congress website for updates and pictures of the event http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/05congress/
For the first time in many years, Virginia 4-H will be hosting State 4-H Intermediate Congress for 12-13 year old youth. This event will be conducted on the campus of Virginia State University and promises to provide quality fun and educational opportunities for those who participate. The purposes of 4-H Intermediate Congress include enhancing the capacity of youth to serve in local, district, state and national 4-H leadership roles; future 4-H club leaders, camp counselors, and other 4-H events; promoting long-term involvement of 4-H youth, and others. Hopefully, this will become an annual event for intermediate age youth
During the week of May 18-20, the summer 4-H camp staff of all six 4-H educational centers met for the annual Summer 4-H Camp Staff Training. This year's event was conducted at the Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center. Over 80 summer camp staff participated in the statewide training event. Virginia 4-H has been involved in 4-H camping since 1917. Since that time, we have provided opportunities for thousands and thousands of youth each year to be involved in creating memories of a lifetime, and learning life skills. Camp has a distinct supportive environment, made up of four major dimensions: the outdoor setting, positive treatment of individuals, positive norms and expectations, and stability and structure. Camp is different from home, community, and school in many significant ways." F.C. Chenery identified these as the eight following differences:
As the American Camp Association states as their slogan, ÒCamp Does Kids a World of Good." I challenge each of you to foster opportunities for youth that does kids a world of good
Bob Meadows
We hope to see many 4-H All Stars at the conference!
(Carol Nansel)
(Bob Meadows)
The Future 4-H Camp Professional Award recognizes summer 4-H camp staff members who have demonstrated excellence with regards to youth development and camping and who are recognized to have the potential to become a future Virginia 4-H camping professional. The purpose of this award is to provide outstanding summer 4-H camp staff members with additional financial resources that can be utilized for educational or professional development purposes. Award recipients assist in the planning and implementation of the State 4-H Camp Staff Training.
(Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., CPRP)
If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Kathleen Jamison, jamisonk@vt.edu. A scholarship for the $50 training fee will be provided by the State 4-H Office. You would need to make arrangements to stay in Seattle one extra day, November 3rd, for the training.
Workshop topics will include *Changing Spaces, *Making Youth Organizations Work , *Exploring 4-H Service Learning, *Workforce Readiness , *Latino Cultural Arts , *2005 - Revision Products (Beef, Cat, Citizenship, Dog, Dairy Cattle, Small Engines), *Health , Robotics , *Advanced Visual Arts , Communications , *After School Age, *GIS/GPS and *2006 - Revision Products (Dairy Goat, Sheep, Bicycle, Computer, Moving Ahead)
(Kathlenn Jamison)
(Scott P. Greiner)
(Celeste Crismon)
(Celeste Crisman)
1. The head gear policy - 4.3 Head Protection
Effective January 1, 2000, protective headgear is required for youth of 4-H age and younger in all mounted equine activities sponsored by Cooperative Extension. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) certified protective headgear for equestrian activities is preferred (including secured harness). It is highly recommended that adults participating in VCE sponsored equine activities wear protective headgear.
This is a mandatory policy for all youth in all mounted equine activities associated with 4-H in Virginia. If there is no helmet available, the youth may not participate!
2. Age Policy - 4.4 Age Considerations
Individuals involved in Cooperative Extension programs under the age of 9 must follow specific guidelines covered by the Cloverbud Policy as adopted by the Virginia 4-H Leadership Council and Virginia Cooperative Extension on November 15, 1997.
4-H Cloverbud members can not participate in 4-H activities and events, in which they are expected to control, solely care for, or otherwise manage large animals or any other animal which presents a safety risk. Large animals are defined as cattle, llamas, sheep, swine, horses and ratites (ostrich, rhea, cassowary, emu, etc.).
A 4-H Cloverbud member can not participate in an activity where they must control, solely care for, or manage large animals by themselves. A Cloverbud member can participate in an equine activity in which an able individual beyond Cloverbud age controls the large animal. For example, a Cloverbud member could participate in a pony ride where a capable individual beyond Cloverbud age controls the horse. This Cloverbud member must also wear approved headgear in this situation to be able to participate. A child that is younger than Cloverbud age cannot actively participate in a 4-H sponsored event. For example, a child that is 4 years of age or less cannot be led on a 4-H sponsored pony ride.
3. Equine Waiver Form - 4.1 Equine Liability Waivers
Equine waivers are required on all individuals involved in an equine activity for Cooperative Extension. Waivers as outlined in the waiver form may be initiated on individuals for a period of a year. A new waiver may be required for each individual activity, as required by the sponsor.
A signed copy of this waiver is required yearly on all individuals involved in equine activities. This waiver has been updated for 2005. The waiver can be found on the 4-H Horse website under the Equine Risk Management tab. The signed original of the yearly waiver is to be kept on file in the local County Extension office and a copy is to be kept on file by the Volunteer leader. The yearly waiver must be renewed by January 1 of each year. The originals must be kept on file in the county office for a period of 2 years. Original waivers for cases in which there has been an incident must be kept on file for a period of 2 years past the participants 18th birthday.
By adhering to the above policies and being aware of the guidelines, not only are we protecting ourselves as agents and volunteer leaders, but we are also protecting those youth entrusted to our care. Volunteer leaders (by signing the 4-H leader contract) are equal to employees of Virginia Tech with respect to coverage under the liability insurance policy. All parties involved must adhere to the three 4-H policies.
For accuracy, Risk Management and the 4-H Department have reviewed and approved the information covered in this document. For questions, contact Celeste Crisman at ccrisman@vt.edu
(Celeste Crisman)
(Barry A. Garst)
(Curtis Novak.)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
Campers attend classes in various subjects in natural history (including botany, ecology, herpetology and ornithology), participate in numerous outdoor activities, and enjoy recreational opportunities such as hiking and swimming.
Spaces are still available in the youngest of the four sessions Nature Camp offers each summer. Fourth Session runs from July 31 to August 13 and is appropriate for individuals who have just completed the 5th or 6th grade. Tuition and fees for the two-week session total $600. A few spaces for girls who have just completed 7th or 8th grades are also available during the Third Session, July 17 - 30.
Scholarships and financial assistance are available, so financial need should not deter candidates; please contact VFGC President Nancy L. Hargoves at inbleum@comcast.net.
For more information or to download an application, please visit www.naturecamp.net. Questions and inquiries may be directed to Executive Director Philip P.Coulling director@naturecamp.net
(Barry Fox
(Jeffrey L. Kirwan, Ph.D.)
Mark your calendars now! The 2005 State 4-H is scheduled for the weekend of September 16 -18 at Holiday Lake 4-H Center. The shotgun event will remain the same - one round of regulation skeet. New in 2005 - scopes will be allowed for the inline muzzle loading category. More details later... (Jinx Baney)
4-H Electric Energy is an in-school curriculum that fully supports Science SOL 4.3 (electricity and magnetism) and incorporates many concepts outlined in Science SOL 4.1 (science inquiry skills). Allow me to provide you with a brief history of this curriculum. Electric Energy was the second 4-H curriculum to be approved for in-school use in Virginia (the first was poultry-beginnings of life). It was approved in 1990 by Dr. Dave Barrett, during his tenure as 4-H Program Leader. Prior to 1990, the 4-H electric energy curriculum was traditionally delivered in a project club setting, primarily by electric utility employees. The electric utilities gave generously of their employee time, and in addition, funded an annual awards event, known as 4-H Electric Congress, which was held in Richmond. However, when electricity was deregulated in Virginia in the mid 1990's, the electrical utility industry underwent great change. It became "lean and mean." They no longer supported the 4-H electric project in any formal way. NOTE: This is not to say that local electrical utility offices and electrical cooperatives will not support local programs if asked; but 1995 marked the end of an organized effort on the part of electric utilities in Virginia to support the 4-H Electric Energy curriculum.
During my tenure in the Biological Systems Engineering Department (1989-2004), I championed the curriculum. I wrote the in-school materials that are still in use and designed an electric-energy kit, which contains all the hands-on manipulatives needed to conduct the eight lessons. I secured funding from various sources and offered numerous trainings to agents, volunteers, and teachers. Typically, the electric kit was given to participants in the training events.
So where does the curriculum stand today? Having reassessed my life goals, I resigned my position at Virginia Tech last fall. However, there were some grant funds left to support the Electric Energy project area, and I have been paid by these funds to continue the teacher trainings on a short-term basis. Once this funding ends, the curriculum materials will remain, but there will not be a subject matter specialist to offer training or to update the materials (however, it is hard to foresee the basic science changing!).
SO please take note: THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO OFFER THIS TRAINING IN YOUR UNIT FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE!
I am available to offer the from late August through November, 2005. The training takes approximately 2.5 hours. Most school systems will give teachers continuing education credits, if you, as Agent apply for them. I have some money in the 4-H foundation to offset the cost of kits. Therefore, I can offer them to you for $100/each. However, to offer them that inexpensively, I must place a group order so that I order in large volume.
If you think this training will support your local program, and you want to conduct it, here is what you need do:
1) Work with your school system to arrange a date for training between August 22 and November 18, 2005. You may also want to invite someone representing the home-school community.
2) Confirm the date with Billie Cline, State 4-H office, who will be maintaining my calendar.
3) Order kits for the training ($100/each) BY AUGUST 1, 2005. Kit order is also through Billie Cline. Possible sources for dollars for kits include school systems, school PTA's, local electric utilities/electric cooperatives or electrical contractors.
Best of luck to you all in your efforts to make a difference!
A pilot camp session for 4-H Missions in Space is scheduled for September 12-16, 2005 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama following the theme indicated above. The session calls for sixteen (16) youth and sixteen (16) adults. We invite states to announce this very special program to the 4-H community. Workshop/camp fees are subsidized by a grant at $500 per person allowing us to offer this FOUR NIGHT/FIVE DAY program at $150 per person. All meals, lodging and materials are provided. Transportation to Huntsville is the responsibility of the participants.
Preliminary registration only requires an e-mail message to Tony Cook with the following information: Name, adult/youth, e-mail, phone number, state and county
As indicated, space is very limited in this special session at Space Camp and we can only accept 16 youth and 16 adults. Note that the camp fee is only $150 for this session. The full fee would be $649 so there is a savings of $500 per person. I know you'll have questions so feel free to contact me. These slots will go fast too so let me know ASAP if you wish to reserve any. The deadline for preliminary registration is July 15th but it will likely fill before then.
(Tony Cook)
The club leader is Nancy Terry and president is Lindsey Carl.
As the club members were wearing their Western Show clothes, they were also named the best dressed group.
(Rita Schalk)
Winners are recognized from urban, suburban and rural communities in all regions of the country, and they receive national recognition and help with local media attention. For more information visit http://www.americaspromise.org/100Best/index.cfm.
( Bob Meadows)
First and foremost, the authorization to use the 4-H Name and Emblem is granted for educational and informational uses which CSREES\USDA and its Cooperative Extension Service partners deem in the best interest of the 4-H program.
Non-Exclusivity
By federal regulation, granting the authorization to an individual, organization or institution for a specific use does not preclude granting a similar authorization to another individual, organization or institution for the same or similar purpose. Exclusivity can not be granted. The state 4-H program retains the ability to develop other relationships with potential sponsors to benefit their 4-H programs. For example, showing a company or business as "official sponsor of Tennessee 4-H" is acceptable. Reflecting them as "the official sponsor of Tennessee 4-H" is not.
Endorsement
The 4-H Name and Emblem cannot be used to endorse, imply or effect an endorsement of a commercial firm, product or service. Insure non-endorsement language is used consistently on all materials coming from an agreement. The phase "No endorsement of the product or service by 4-H is implied or intended." must be used. This is a federal regulation and is a critical requirement in authorizing the use of the 4-H Name and Emblem.
Graphic Standards
All use of the Name & Emblem, including by potential sponsors needs to be compliant with graphic standards. The standards are available either on the National 4-H Headquarters Web site at http://national4-hheadquarters.gov, or a glossy hard-copy version in multiple amounts can be requested by contacting Chuck Graves.
CSREES\USDA authorizes the use of the 4-H Name and Emblem nationwide or when the potential impact is in more than one state. Directors/administrators, assistant directors 4-H and state 4-H leaders approve use statewide or in more than one county. County Extension directors and/or 4-H agents may approve use within a specific county only. Agreements with sponsors that involve 4-H programs in more than one state need to be reviewed by the National 4-H Headquarters - USDA.
If you have any questions, please contact me at bmeadows@vt.edu, or by phone at the State 4-H office
(Bob Meadows)
The policies and guidelines related to 4-H club and organization web sites were approved by 4-H Leadership Council at their May 11, 2005 meeting.. Besides web sites that might be created by 4-H clubs and organizations in the future, these policies are also retroactive. In other words, any Unit 4-H club or organization (such as a 4-H leaders association, local 4-H All Star Chapter, etc) that already has a web site must comply with these policies. You are asked to share this information with 4-H club and organization leaders. For more information contact Joe Hunnings 540-231-6371 or email: Hunnings@vt.edu
. Access the resources via www.4husa.org by clicking on the "4-H Media Resources" button on the left column. The site will continue to be updated as more resources become available.
Of course, 4HUSA.ORG continues to provide other great resources to link the 4-H community together. The 4HUSA.ORG Web Crew has created seven versions of buttons for download so that everyone involved with 4-H or who supports youth development can link to the site. With blogs, message boards, the latest 4-H news, and links to every 4-H website in the country, youth today are using 4HUSA.ORG to get involved and stay in touch with 4-H!
(Bob Meadows)
A new resource can help parents and youth workers keep kids safe in cyberspace. The National PTA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Girls Scouts of the USA have published the "Digital Living Project," featuring specific recommendations for protecting youth online. The free handbook is available at http://www.digitallivingproject.com/pdf/DLP_Handbook.pdf.
( Bob Meadows)
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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