Since 4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant universities of Virginia Tech and Virginia State, 4-H projects and educational programs are research based. The essential elements of 4-H are BELONGING, MASTERY, INDEPENDENCE, and GENEROSITY.
Belonging includes a positive relationship with a caring adult, and an inclusive and safe environment for youth. Belonging focuses on caring relationships and represents the HEART of 4-H. Mastery focuses on constructive learning experiences, and includes engagement in learning and opportunities for mastery. Mastery represents the HEALTH of 4-H. Independence focuses on learning opportunities and opportunities for self-determination and to see oneself as an active participants in the future. Independence represents the HEAD of 4-H. Generosity focuses on opportunity to value and practice service for others. Generosity focuses on service to communities and represents the HANDS of 4-H.
Thus, the 4-H environment is designed to support the positive and successful development of all youth:
All these considered, the research suggests that belonging may be the single most powerful positive ingredient that we can add into the lives of youth. Simply stated, but worthy of our efforts, we must make certain that all youth in our programs have a sense that they belong. No youth should feel excluded.
As good stewards of 4-H, our youth are provided quality learning opportunities that contribute to positive youth development. Let's all make the best better for Virginia 4-H youth.
Bob Meadows
Please read the registration rules, complete the registration packet (explained in the registration rules), http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/ and be sure to include checks for payment. We look forward to receiving registration packets beginning on May 16th!
(Jewel Hairston)
(Bob Meadows)
This promotional offering is open to any 4-H member and their family, volunteer leaders and their family, 4-H friends and Extension employees. Basically anyone who is a part of or supports 4-H! This could be a great unit-wide 4-H outing. Consider a caravan or a bus trip. Make a day or weekend of it in the DC area!
This event is a great marketing opportunity for 4-H, plus it will provide our Foundation with a valuable contribution and provide 4-H members an exciting family or club outing at a reasonable cost!
We hope you will consider joining in on the fun!
(Joe Hunnings)
GET ACTIVE! The 2005 Summit is all about Youth In Action - Making a Difference. You'll take home step-by-step ACTION PLANS from every workshop to help you MAKE A DIFFERENCE in your community. You'll also hear exciting speakers, meet inspiring young people, and have plenty of opportunities to discuss what is important to you.
Youth and Public Policy - Learn how to impact the power structures in your community. Hear from youth who have radically changed their communities and find out how to do the same in yours.
Youth and the Economy - Learn how to become an entrepreneur, whether it's creating a micro-enterprise or raising money to revitalize a park. Become financially literate and develop the skills to plan and manage your financial life.
Youth and Community Service - Learn how to become a powerful leader while serving your community. Understand the keys to being a change agent - make sure you have what it takes.
Youth and Creativity - Express yourself through poetry slams, music, dance, movement, and more. Become "media literate" and learn to understand what you are really watching or listening to.
The National Youth Summit is not just for youth. Adults will have chances for discussion, networking, and participation in workshops designed for them, with guidance in how to:
The National Youth Summit, preeminent in the field of youth development, is an annual event that brings together youth and adults from across the country to celebrate the strengths and accomplishments of our Nation's young people. The 2005 Youth Council is playing a major role in the planning of the Summit, so you can be sure the program will be youth-driven. REGISTER NOW at www.ncy.com!
(Bob Meadows)
(Barry Garst)
Camp Counselor Training Day Wintergreen Resort
Thursday June 9, 2005 9:00 AM to 3:45 PM
Location Wintergreen Resort (Meet at Treehouse)
Co-sponsored by the American Camp Association (Virginias Section), the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (Southwestern Section), and the Resort and Commercial Recreation Association, this workshop is geared for seasonal staff who operate your playground or day camp programs. Summer counselors will be encouraged to participate in fun, interactive programs and hands-on sessions, concentrating on staff development. Counselors will work in teams as they rotate though the sessions. Fee: $10.00 per person. Optional lunch available for $15. Schedule and registration form are attached.
Learn more at www.afterschoolalliance.org
(Kathleen Jamison)
I would like to thank all the supporters of the Youth Convention - Pilgrim's Pride, Tyson's, Perdue, George's Foods, Cargill Turkey Products, Va Poultry Growers Coop and Glenwood Farms. Rockingham Poultry Servicemen's Committee/Virginia Poultry Federation sponsored the judging contest awards again this year.
Special thanks to the USDA Graders Service and Virginia Tech Extension Poultry Specialists and students for helping set-up the contest and serving as official.
(Curtis Novak,)
(Kaci Coppege)
(Celeste Crismond)
(Celeste Crisman)
(Celeste Crisman)
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!
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.
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)
Please use this form for all equine activities effective immediately.
(Barry A. Garst)
(Dottie Nelson)
(NAPSI)-In an eastern Kentucky town with a population of just 1,000, a community theater company is born, the idea of former 4-H member Stephanie Richards. After a theater career in New York and Chicago, Richards came home to Appalachia to bring show business to young people in a remote area with few cultural outlets. "People are starving for a theatre company here," she said about her Artists Collaborative Theatre (ACT) project.
Each evening, approximately 100 people are in the theater's audience, enjoying the professional-quality performances of local volunteer actors, many of them in a 4-H theater club. The program works with the University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts and 4-H to provide people in Appalachia with cultural experiences and opportunities for both actors and audience members and bring the small community together to work on or watch each show.
Richards is the first fine arts 4-H educator in America. Yet her work is not just limited to young people. "Older and younger generations are able to connect through the program, sharing skills and ideas from all ages," she said. Artists Collaborative Theatre offers 4-H youth the option to work backstage or be in the spotlight as an actor. One young thespian is 11-year-old Sarah Haynes. "Acting taught me not to be shy and to put myself out there," she said. Sarah first got involved in the theater when the ACT program offered auditions at her school and she tried out. Another aspiring actress is Kenya Moore, 12. "A couple times people missed practice, so we had to switch roles and fill in to play other parts. It was a learning experience!" she said.
Richards' talent and the ACT program have taught these artistic youth and others in their community to stand up and have pride in themselves and their community. The theater gives them a voice that's being heard beyond the hills of Appalachia as it helps to overcome the challenges of this economically-depressed community. "This theater is all about expression of emotions and hope," Richards said. "It's bringing this community together as never before."
You may find your own community of friends in the 4-H adventure. To find out more about 4-H programs, visit http://www.4husa.org. Young thespians rehearse a scene for the Artists Collaborative Theatre, the brainchild of Stephanie Richards, the first fine arts 4-H educator in America
( Bob Meadows)
This is a working conference often called the Secretaries Conference because delegates are there at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture. In fact, this year we had the opportunity to meet with our new Secretary of Agriculture and learn about his dedication and experience as a 4-H member himself. We were so glad to be staying at the National 4-H Conference Center as we learned that the first few years the delegates stayed in tents on the Capital Mall just under the Washington Monument.
This year's theme, ŌBuild the future - TAG, You're IT!" reflects the goal of the national conference: to prepare conference delegates, personally and professionally, to become more active participants and decision makers in their communities and effectively develop youth-adult partnerships for community action. Teen delegates met all week in small discussion groups and developed a list of ideas and action steps they see as being important to the future of 4-H Youth Development. These suggestions were voted on and the top four were presented to the Secretary of Agriculture and National 4-H Leaders to be acted upon over the next year or more.
I'm always amazed at the ability of our youth to develop ideas which we as adults might not consider but when presented seem to be so obvious. One of the most interesting is the idea of receiving high school credit for completing a series of 4-H projects in one subject matter area. This is currently being done in Canada and is very successful. In Virginia as we are already correlating many our projects to SOL's it might not be so far fetched and could help provide a higher level of experiential learning for many of our youth.
A second idea from the delegates is the creation of a National 4-H community service project each year. This idea might be as broad as helping with hunger but each state or county program could then tailor it to their community. The feeling of youth is that this could help youth feel a part of something bigger than themselves and help tie them to the national program more effectively.
The increase of communication from the national level down to individual members was another issue voted on. Youth like the idea of a National 4-H Magazine. They realize there may be an issue with cost but they believe that our organization can find a solution to this. Members felt that it could help them understand the differences in programs nationwide and internationally and could broaden their perspective and increase member dedication and retention.
The creation of an international 4-H youth conference was high on the list. They believe that as 4-H is spreading around the world and we become a more global society, that it is important that they have an opportunity to share ideas, concerns and friendships with 4-H'ers around the world.
Development of more activities related to leadership for intermediate age youth was also at the top of the delegate's priority list. They are worried about the loss of members in this age group and believe that allowing them to be more involved in decision making and leadership opportunities can help address this problem.
Yes they worked hard, but we also played hard and spent a day on capital hill meeting with congressmen and senators offices. Members now have friends literally from Sea to Shining Sea and Canada also. The week ended with a dinner/dance cruise on the Potomac and though our feet hurt we all hope to have another opportunity to attend this amazing event.
Virginia Delegates: Josh Salatine - Augusta, MeShawn Jones - Virginia Military Kids program, Barbara Anderson - Fairfax, Adriene Womack - Floyd County, David Heatwole - Rockingham County, Brandey Sutphin - Floyd County.
Please look for some new information on the selection of Virginia Delegates coming soon and thank you for the opportunity to attend this event.
(Beth Massey - 4-H Agent and adult delegate)
(Michelle Adcock)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox
Here, now, are the results.
Accomack- 1,400 hardwood
Appomattox- 1,100 pine
Alexandria- 925 hardwood
Arlington- 700 hardwood
Augusta- 500 hardwood + 100 pine
Bath/Highland- 100 hardwood
Bland- 1,500 pine
Clarke- 875 hardwood
Craig- 500 pine
Cumberland- 1,000 pine
Dickenson- 6,000 pine
Fairfax- 800 hardwood
Floyd- 4,500 pine
Frederick- 250 hardwood + 450 pine
Grayson- 2,000 pine
Halifax- 2,000 pine
Hampton- 4,700 hardwood
Henry/Martinsville- 2,000 pine
Jamestown- 275 hardwood
King George- 300 pine
Lee- 3,600 pine
Loudoun- 4,600 hardwood
Middlesex- 775 hardwood
Newport News- 50 hardwood
Norfolk- 350 hardwood
Northumberland- 1,500 hardwood
Page- 100 hardwood
Pittsylvania- 3,500 pine
Prince William- 150 hardwood
Rockingham- 675 hardwood
Scott- 2,000 pine
Shenandoah- 300 hardwood
Spotsylvania- 1,500 pine
Stafford- 50 pine
Tazewell- 4,500 pine
Virginia Beach- 100 hardwood
Thanks for all you are doing to improve Virginia's environment. Please consider planting trees again next year!
(Jeffrey L. Kirwan,)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeffrey L. Kirwan, Ph.D.)
4-H Shooting Education Camps (Jinx Baney)_
(Jinx Baney)
(Jim Myres, Modelrockets.us)
(Cindy Barnett)
(Carol Nansel)
From mouse pad templates to customizable news releases to eye-catching newsletters, the marketing communications team at National 4-H Council has been working hard to get these tools in the hands of all 4-H staff, volunteers and members. 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)
(Jennifer Mercer/Bob Meadows)
In the United States, the Independent Sector estimates that in 2004 the total value of hours volunteered was approximately US $272 billion of contributed service, assuming the total number of volunteer hours held constant since 2000. This is a tool that can be used to help organizations quantify the enormous value volunteers provide.
The hourly value of volunteer time is based on the average hourly wage for all non-management, nonagriculture workers as determined by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a 12 per cent increase to estimate for fringe benefits.
Independent Sector is committed to strengthening nonprofit and philanthropic organizations' work. It conducts research on the economic, political and social aspects of volunteering and philanthropy, among other areas. According to the Virginia Employment Commission, the value of volunteer time in Virginia is $17.79 per hour (July 1, 2004-June 30, 2005).
Learn more about the value of volunteer time http://www.independentsector.org/programs/research/volunteer_time.html
(Bob Meadows)
The 4 H Study of Positive Youth Development, which is beginning its final year of a six-year longitudinal study, is being conducted by Dr. Richard Lerner, Bergstrom chair of applied developmental science, Tufts University. Lerner and his team are researching the successes of our young people today, and what they have found out so far is featured in this week's issue of Newsweek magazine focused on "Your Family & Your Health."
In February, the initial conclusions of this study were published in The Journal of Early Adolescence, and now these findings are being presented to the general public. "This study is a great chance to show how 4-H and other youth development organizations are helping young people across America," says Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO, National 4-H Council. "I commend Dr. Lerner and his colleagues for working so hard to research and share this information with the world."
For more than a century, psychologists have based their research on what goes wrong during adolescence, but Lerner and many other researchers have recently decided to focus on the successes of young people. Dr. Lerner is using this study to determine what it takes for a young person to make a successful transition from childhood to adulthood. "Parents, and sometimes kids themselves, often talk about positive development as the absence of bad," says Lerner. "What we're trying to do is present a different vision and a different vocabulary for young people and parents."
You can read the article at: www.4husa.org. There's a link at the bottom of each Web page to e-mail the story, so spread the word about how great our young people are to everyone! The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is featured in this week's edition of Newsweek magazine.
(Bob Meadows)
First and most importantly, applicants for this award must have achieved Programs of Distinction status from National 4-H Headquarters prior to applying. Programs of Distinction is ready to accept applicants at http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/pod.htm. This criteria has been adopted to ensure that applicants meet the most rigorous program quality standards within the Cooperative Extension System, and that they will be appropriate for replication after receiving their awards. Please encourage the staff and volunteers associated with your family programs to begin the Programs of Distinction process immediately in anticipation of our announcement.
Secondly, there will be a release of applications in early March, and a due date for applications of June 1, 2005. This makes the application time frame for this year relatively short. Unfortunately, they cannot release application materials until the formal announcement of the awards, but we will make every effort to get the materials in your hands swiftly after that. Thanks for your interest in this program. Contact familyawards@fourhcouncil.edu or 301-961-2819 with questions and to sign up for the individual notification list
(Bob Meadows)
Grant range: $1,000 to $3,000. Deadline: May 31, 2005.
More info: http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/education_initiatives.jhtml
(Kathleen Jamison)
Contact: schaconas@fourhcouncil.edu
Funding provided by American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
Creating or enhancing youth-lead local/state ATV safety projects
Since accidents happen to people riding ATVs, all riders (in particular youth) and parents need to be educated about safe operation of ATVs before they climb on board. The 4-H Community ATV Safety Program 2005 youth grant program will provide community action grants of $7,500 to create or enhance local or state ATV safety projects which provide opportunities for young people and adults to take action on the issue of ATV safety to influence the behavior of people throughout a community. Youth are expected to lead in the design of the project, the proposal writing process, the implementation, and the evaluation of funded projects. Adults work with youth, providing guidance and support. A 50% match of the grant request in cash and/or in-kind contributions is required.
Projects must support achievement of Program goals:
Proposals must detail:
Grants are offered only to 4-H/Extension Programs in the United States and its territories. If you are not a part of 4-H, we encourage you to contact your local Cooperative Extension office and become a project collaborator!
The RFP and information on the Leader's Guide, other educational materials and the Essential Elements of 4-H can be found at http://www.atv-youth.org. Completed applications are due on Friday, June 3, 2005. If you have any questions, email Sheila Chaconas at schaconas@fourhcouncil.edu.
(Joe Hunnings/Kathleen Jamison)
(Jamison/Hunnings)
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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