In This Issue... New Scholarship Initiative New Enrollment System - 4HPLUS 4-H Resumes Due April 1 Va 4-H Congress June 28 Character Counts Training No Master 4-H volunteer Training NCI V "Throws" NCI V --Feb 16-20, 2000 Spring Conference - 4-H Volunteers Fall Conference - 4-H Volunteers History of Virginia 4-H Camping 1998 Avian Bowl National 4-H Poultry/Egg Conference 4-H Dog Show 1999 Beef Expo 1999 Youth Livestock Events Japanese Exchange Program High School Program National Award Costa Rica Exchange IFYE Report IFYE Applicants Sought Tapping Maple Trees Calendar of Events

The Virginia 4-H Information Letter is produced monthly to disseminate important 4-H information. This is the on-line version. Attachments which are referenced in this newsletter are not available electronically. To obtain copies of the attachments, contact Billie Cline at the address listed Faculty Advisor: D. Brian Calhoun Editor: Billie Cline Submissions to be included in the newsletter should be sent to: Billie Cline 107 Hutcheson Hall Virginia Tech (0419) Blacksburg, VA 24061 e-mail: bcline@vt.edu John E. Dooley Associate Director 4-H & Family & Consumer Sciences

New Scholarship Initiative

I am pleased to announce the initiation of a new and exciting scholarship program for minority 4-H members. Beginning this fall, at least three $2500 scholarships will be awarded annually to outstanding minority 4-H members to attend Virginia Tech. This new program is the product of a partnership between Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Tech's Minority Academic Opportunities Program, which is led by Drs. Andy Grayson and Larry Moore. To be eligible, the scholarship applicant must be an active 4-H member and must major in a program of study in one of the three undergraduate colleges that support our Extension mission: Human Resources and Education, Agriculture and Life Sciences, or Forestry and Wildlife Resources. The scholarship may be renewed throughout the student's undergraduate experience if academic standards are met.

We are excited about this wonderful opportunity to better connect Virginia Tech to the outstanding youth that participate in our programs. The formal announcement of the scholarship program will be made during the 4-H/FCS inservice week, however I would encourage you to begin immediately identifying youth in your units who could benefit from the scholarship.

John E. Dooley, Associate Director 4-H & Family & Consumer Science

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NEW 4-H Enrollment System

Finally, after months of reviewing and meeting purchasing requirements, we have acquired a new 4-H enrollment management system -- 4HPLUS . This system offers exciting opportunities for 4-H club, member and volunteer management. It has optional programs to use with 4-H camping and 4-H horse programs. It is windows based and has many exciting features… easy labels being one. Statistics are readily available as well as lists in any format or search you desire. The new program will convert your pcfile enrollment into the new format with little effort. Training and Conversion will begin in late March. Teams of Area Information Technologists, Extension Agents, and Support Staff are being identified to receive intensive training. They will then work in small groups within their districts. We hope this method of instruction will help with the transition of this program and will make learning and using the program less stressful. We are eager to get started with this new program and make it available for units to use in their unit offices.

Billie Cline

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Reminder: Resumes Due April 1 for National 4-H Congress

Resumes should be sent to Billie Cline, State 4-H Office, 107 Hutcheson Hall, Blacksburg, VA by April 1. For more information, review the November 1998 Information Letter.

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Virginia 4-H Congress -June 28-July 1, Va Tech Campus "Foundations in the Past, Focused on the Future" Cost: $120.00

Competition is only one part of State 4-H Congress. Information packets will be sent to each unit office in early February with more details of this year’s exciting event.

Dorthy Freeman

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Character Counts Training

We received some good news recently concerning the upcoming staff development opportunity with Character Counts. The good news is that we have been approved to receive the money for conducting the 3-day training for adults on Character Counts under the leadership of Peggy Atkins, the author of the Character Counts curriculum.

The other news is that we had to postpone the training until April, due to the quick turn around of information and recruiting team members for the training. The plan is to have two teams per district trained in the Character Counts curriculum. Each team will consist of six adults made up of adult volunteers and agents. The training costs will be covered including costs for lodging, meals, and curriculum. The payback requirement will be for each person to conduct a minimum of two trainings in counties or cities within their respective district.

More information will be forthcoming from the Leadership 4-H Curriculum Component Committee. We will also announce the dates, times, and location for the 3-day training event. Be sure to be on the lookout for this information.

Bob Meadows

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No Master 4-H Volunteer Training

Due to reduced state dollars, there will be no staff development tracks with the Master 4-H Volunteers during 1999. It is hoped that funds will be available next year to provide this training in several tracks, including tracks for shorter staff development with other subjects. Additionally, rather than a statewide training event, it is hoped to provide this in at least two separate locations in order to accommodate more volunteers

If you have ideas for this, please send them to the Educational Design team or to the respective 4-H curriculum component area.

Bob Meadows

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The National 4-H Camping Institute Throws

NCI V is continuing its sale of the 4-H Throws--"4-H Camping in Virginia." Many individuals purchased one or more to serve as Christmas gifts, but we still have a few left.

The price remains at $50.00, but the NCI Board of Directors has considered raising the price in the future. If you would like to purchase a 4-H throw, do so today. Call Marjorie at (540) 231-6373 and reserve your throw. You may send a check made payable to NCI and send it in care of Bob Meadows, 107 Hutcheson Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. The proceeds from the sale go towards scholarships and costs of NCI V.

Bob Meadows

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NCI V--February 16-20, 2000

It does not seem possible that the fifth National 4-H Camping Institute is just a year away. This event, designed for adult volunteers and salaried staff, attracts participants from throughout the United States. The purposes are to bring the brightest and best ideas on camping to one central location, highlight Virginia's leadership in the 4-H camping program, and to focus on the 4-H

Educational Centers of our Commonwealth.

The sub-committees have been busy working with and for this event for the past several months. A tentative schedule is enclosed for your review and information. Additionally, you will find a Call for Proposal for workshops. These are due June 1, 1999, so be sure to consider conducting a workshop at NCI V. Registration information and cost will be published in the next issue of this newsletter.

Bob Meadows

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Spring Conference Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders

Even though we are experiencing winter weather, it won't be long until Spring. With this new season comes the annual Spring Conference of the VAA4-HVL. This conference is planned for Friday - Saturday, March 19-20, 1999 and is scheduled at the Airport Holiday Inn in Sandston (Richmond), Virginia. A super event has been planned. The schedule is included in this newsletter.

Super workshops have been planned with Fishing Fin-atics, Guiding Eyes, Environmental Science, Self-Esteem, Expressive Arts, Science & Technology, Computer Technology, and T.I.P. (Teen Involvement Program) The Southeast District is hosting this event.

Registration is $50.00 per person, which includes, Workshops and three meals. The registration form is included and is also being sent to each unit office.

Bob Meadows

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Fall Conference--Virginia Association of Adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders

The Fall Conference of VAA4-HVL is scheduled for Saturday - Sunday, November 20-21, 1999, The event will be held at the Holiday Inn on Route 29 (1901 Emmett Street) in Charlottesville. So, mark your calendars now for this exciting event. Full details will be sent in the near future. This event is being hosted by the Northern District.

Bob Meadows

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History of Virginia 4-H Camping

William "Bill" Skelton was State 4-H Agent at the time (1950-1962) Virginia's 4-H camping program changed to a concept unknown anywhere else in the United States. Instead of 4-H camps, there would be 4-H centers. Dr. Skelton conceived the idea of the 4-H educational center in the late 1950's. The model involved establishing a 4-H center in each geographic area of the Commonwealth. This model was promoted for numerous reasons including:

• there was a dearth of 4-H camp facilities and equipment in Virginia;
• rented facilities within and out of the state were not adequate to accommodate the numbers who wanted to participate in the regularly summer type camp;
• district and county Extension staffs wanted facilities within their districts for their client groups to conduct programs, and;
• Volunteer 4-H leaders, county 4-H councils, 4-H honor clubs and other groups in many counties wanted facilities where they could meet at appropriate times throughout the year to plan programs and/or receive training " (College of the Fields,1987, p. 182).

Early Extension leaders in the belief promoted the 4-H center concept that both the public and private sector leaders would support 4-H center development because of their understanding of 4-H program principles. Additionally, the major concern was for cost effectiveness when the 4-H centers were being designed for year-round use by 4-H, as well as other groups when not utilized by 4-H, as is true with so many other 4-H camping programs. As stated by Dr. Skelton (1996),.. we wanted the people to feel like this was their 4-H center...we could visualize that we wanted the key citizens in the area to feel this is our 4-H center, and we wanted the extension agents in each one of the six districts to feel like, this is our center (Skelton, 1996).

The development of the six 4-H educational centers came about over a period of about 20 years. They are recorded in the order in which they were founded:

• Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center (1960)
• Smith Mt. Lake 4-H Educational Center (1966)
• Jamestown 4-H Educational Center (1976)
• Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center (1976)
• Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center (1981)
• Airfield 4-H Educational Center (1981)

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First Year of Avian Bowl a Success - Sections for 1999 Contests Released

The first year of the Avian Bowl program in Virginia was a great success. The Rockingham team won the state contest and represented Virginia well at the national 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in November 1998. Virginia placed 4^th after a 15-25 point loss to the 3^rd place team from Minnesota. California was 1^st and Kentucky 2^nd in this years National event. Congratulations to team members Christine Welsh, Stephanie Osborne, Sarah Martz and Kathrynn Threewitts and their coach, Bonnie Hutchison, for an excellent first year.

The Approved Sections For The 1999 National Avian Bowl Are As Follows:

• Understanding the Food Poisoners (entire section) pp. 17-20.
• Avian Systems (Female Reproductive, Male Reproductive, Circulatory, Nervous, Excretory and Muscles Systems only) pp. 35-39.
• Breeds, Varieties, Strains (English and Mediterranean Classes only) pp. 73-75.
• Raising Game Birds (entire section) pp. 81-100. (Note: This is a new game bird section. Do not study game bird section from manuals printed pre-1998.)

• Eggcyclopedia (Fertile eggs - Assayed Nutrient Values for a Large Raw Egg) pp. 124-135. (Note: This is a new eggcyclopedia section, do not study Eggcyclopedia manuals printed pre-1998.)
• Raising Your Home Chicken Flock (entire section) pp. 151-162.

I will have copies of the 1998 manual in my office. Please let me know if you would like to get a team ready for state. Also, we are still looking for anyone to help sponsor district qualifying events for 1999. Contact me as soon as possible if you are interested

Phillip Clauer

Va Youth Participate At National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference

On November 19, 1998, ten 4-H'ers represented Virginia in four contest areas at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Ky.

Virginia competed in the National Avian Bowl Contest for the first time in 1998. After the quiz the team was seated 4^th and after the double elimination Bowl, they also placed 4^th. The team members were Christina Welsh, Stephanie Osborne, Kathryn Threewitts, Sarah Martz and they were coached by Bonnie Hutchison. They got Virginia off to a great start in this program!

The Virginia Poultry Judging Team from Grayson County was the 7^th place team Overall. The Virginia Team consisted of team members Anita Brewer, Preston Byrd, Latasha Haga and David Osborne. They were coached by Jimmy Osborne, a Grayson County Extension Agent.

I would like to strongly encourage all youth to participate in one of these poultry contests in the future. These activities provide exceptional learning experiences, are a lot of fun and provide excellent awards.

Results: National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference

Phillip Clauer

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4-H State Dog Show!

Held Each Year duringThe State Fair In Richmond All 4-Her's and their dogs are encouraged to participate. Mix breed dogs are welcome. See attachment for details.

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1999 Beef Expo Youth Program

Virginia Horse Center, Lexington

The Virginia Beef Expo has moved to a new location for 1999. It will 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.

Youth Livestock Events Scheduled for 1999

March 5 & 6 : Virginia Tech Livestock & Poultry Youth Weekend,

March 14 : Wytheville Bull Test Station Open House

March 19&20: Block & Bridle Club Stockmens, Meats, and Livestock Judging Contests, Blacksburg

April 23&24: Virginia Beef Expo (will include Youth Cattle Shows), Virginia Horse Center, Lexington

June 26 : State 4H Livestock Judging Contest, Blacksburg

June 28-July 1: State 4H Congress, Blacksburg

Sept 23-Oct 3 : State Fair of Virginia, Richmond

Oct 1-3 : Youth Livestock Events at the State Fair

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Japanese Exchange Program

I would like to encourage each of you to give careful consideration to the following request from Tom Baker concerning opportunities for your 4-H members with the 4-H Japanese Exchange program. As we enter the 21^st Century, international and cultural literacy is increasingly becoming more important for success in the workplace. This program provides our 4-H members a great educational experience that furthers our goal of service to our clubs, our communities, our country, and our world.

John Dooley

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4-H JAPANESE EXCHANGE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM

Mark Twain said, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." If exchange programs had existed in his day, he would have probably added, "Hosting an exchange student is the next best thing!"

Four-H families who have "been there, done that" agree that hosting an exchange student is a highlight of their 4-H experience. Agents and volunteers tend to agree that the 4-H Japanese Exchange is a valuable addition to their unit 4-H program.

Virginia is usually assigned two or three students for the 11-month 4-H Japanese Exchange High School Program (about 60 students are hosted nation-wide each year). Student assignments to states are usually made in March.

Yes, they speak English!!! The exchange students are high school juniors or seniors (occasionally sophomores) who are members of Labo, our partner organization in Japan. They have demonstrated academic and English proficiency and have studied English in school since the seventh grade as well as in their Labo clubs, often from the age of three or four. Most have extra-curricular interests ranging from sports to music. All have traveled to the U.S. previously for the month-long summer exchange. They undergo rigorous screening, further training, and orientation beginning with the application process in Japan and continuing both in Japan and the U.S. before they travel to their host families on August 2nd. Host families needn't be rich or live in a big house--we need homes, not five-star hotels! The exchange student needs his/her own bed (the bedroom can be shared with a host sibling), dresser and closet space, and a good place to study. Host families can have kids in either public or private schools. In Virginia, we've had host families with high school-age host brothers or sisters, families with younger host siblings, as well as families with no host siblings. We've had two-parent and single-parent host families. We seek out normal families, not just someone's definition of "ideal" families.

Host family applications are being accepted now through March. Some school districts have exchange student quotas that fill quickly, so early applications are more likely to gain school approval.

Following in-home interview and reference checks, tentative student placements are made and high school acceptance is secured, usually by April. Once approved, families may begin to exchange correspondence with their exchange student. Host family orientation is usually conducted in June.

Please contact Tom Baker for a host family application or further information. Host family suggestions from agents and 4-H volunteers are always welcomed! Remember, too, that hosting isn't limited to "4-H families." We've had a number of families who were first involved in 4-H through this program.

Tom Baker, (Volunteer) Coordinator
Virginia 4-H Japanese Exchange High School Program
Brookdale Farm
2060 Vaughan Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23457-1521
phone: 757-721-0558
e-mail: tom.and.anne.baker@juno.com

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Va 4-H Received National Awards

At the 4-H Japanese Exchange National Coordinator’s Conference in Albuquerque, NM in November, 1998, the Virginia 4-H/Japanese Exchange Program received three recognition awards, including that of BEST OVERALL PROGRAM AWARD for states hosting 35 or fewer summer participants. This is outstanding recognition for work in hosting high school and summer delegates from Japan, for sending 4-H members to Japan for the month-long homestay, and for general improvements in the program, including training of 14 volunteer program promoters this past year. Congratulations to all who participated.

Want to get involved in this international 4-H experience? See you local Extension Unit 4-H staff member for information and application forms for travel to Japan. Deadline is February 15 for Travel to Japan, Cost is $2790) Extension Staff also have copies of Host Family Application which are also included in this newsletter, due by April 1, 1999.

The Virginia/4-HJapanese Exchange State Program Coordinator is Judy Ann Fray of Madison. Contact her at 1-888-259-4272 + Pin #7916 for further Information.

Judy Fray

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Costa Rica Exchange

The Virginia/Costa Rica 4-H/4-S Exchange is designed for young people who want to learn more about world forestry resources, particularly

rainforests. The exchange is sponsored by the VT College of Forestry and Wildlife and is conducted like an interstate exchange, except that participant live in different countries. Preference is given to county groups of 2-3 youth who will plan host family activities together.

Exact dates have not been set for this year's exchange, but participants can expect to host for two weeks in July, and to travel the 10 days following Christmas of 1999. Cost will probably be less that $800, a real bargain.

Attached to this newsletter is a program description, application and fact sheet about world forestry.

Jeff Kirwan

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Final Report from Outbound IFYE to Norway

Attached is a copy of tan article that appeared in the Bland County Messenger regarding Karen Starks, our IFYE Representative to Norway. After six months abroad, Karen has no returned home and is anxious to share her experiences with others. She is available for speaking engagements and may be contacted through the Bland County Extension Office or at her home: (540) 688-4605.

Dottie Nelson Ellis

It’s not too late to apply for the 1999 IFYE Outbound program, both the summer Ambassador Exchange and the 3- or 6- month Representative exchange. Applications are being accepted through late January. For further information, please contact your Extension Agent or Dottie Nelson Ellis, State Coordinator, at (3040 425-5060 {WORK} OR (540) 688-4028 {HOME}

Tapping maple trees is very easy and is a great youth educational activity. Trees should be tapped in February/March. All that you need to get started is a tap, drill and bucket. Although sugar maple is the traditional species to tap, any maple will work, which means that anyone in Virginia can do this project.

I have taps and instructions, plus a fact sheet which helps you teach tree growth and structure. Give me a call if you would like them. The Highland County Maple Festival is March 13-14 and March 20-21, 1999. This is another great educational activity.

Contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 223, Monterey, VA 24465. Telephone: 540-468-2550