Focus on Youth
News for OCES staff working with youth.
August, 2010
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Table of Contents
Dear Educators and Volunteers,
The final preparations for Roundup are taking place,
and we are looking forward to a fun few days on the OSU campus. The
past two years we have lucked out with cool, wet weather for our end-of-July
meeting dates, and so far we certainly have had wet weather, but I
am not sure if we will have cool this year. As you know the days have
been hot and humid, but as I write this I see big clouds building to
the northwest.
Again this year we will have swimming, games, and a dance the first evening so
the young people can get to know one another. Again this year we will have
voting delegates, and each county will submit the names of those delegates the
first day. Encourage them to get to know the candidates by first reviewing
the state 4-H website to learn their platforms, then attend the Town Hall meeting
to hear the candidates respond to the questions that have been submitted from
the counties (which we still need to receive from most counties).
This year we have a large number of volunteers and parents attending their conference,
and we are expecting a great turnout for the annual Animal Science Field Days.
Thanks to all who assisted as group leaders, those who bring kids and served
as chaperones. This continues to be a major event for many Oklahoma youth.
Thanks for all who assisted with the National Ag Agents meeting this week in
Tulsa. I had the opportunity to participate in some parts of the meeting,
and it seemed to be a wonderful event, due in part to the hours of work all of
you contributed to it success. Thanks for supporting these major activities with
your time and attendance.
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
Interactive Displays at OKC Fair
At the Oklahoma City Fair, there are opportunities for groups to do interactive displays in the 4-H exhibit area on the weekends (Sept. 18, 19, 25 and 26). The guidelines and form are attached. If you need additional information, please let me know (405) 744-8891. The deadline for being considered is September 1, 2010.
Volunteers Needed for Kids Craft Area at OKC Fair
The Oklahoma State Fair is coordinating a kid's craft area on weekends this year in the Hobbies, Arts and Crafts Building at the OKC State Fair. They need youth volunteers to assist children in making crafts. If you have 4-H members who are interested in volunteering and have experience in overseeing and assisting children doing crafts, please complete the attached form. Four-H members must be 14 years of age and able to work a 2- to 3-hour time slot. The dates available are September 18, 19, 25 and 26. Tickets will be available for those who are selected to work. If you have questions, please contact Whitney Proctor at the Oklahoma State Fair at wproctor@okstatefair.com or (405) 948-6700. Applications are due September 3, 2010.
Septemberfest Needs You
Oklahoma 4-H will again be at Septemberfest on September 11 from 9am to 4pm at the Governor's Mansion in Oklahoma City. This annual festival is family-oriented, free, and attendance usually passes 20,000.
We'll be promoting 4-H and youth development as always, with a focus on fun activities related to:
- Healthy living (think sun safety, health & fitness/wellness, nutrition, healthy decisions)
- Citizenship
- Science and technology (some ideas include robotics, GIS/GPS, geocaching)
- Companion animal projects (dogs, cats, small animals, pet first aid, nursing home service/citizenship, etc.)
- Cloverbuds (many of the youth who attend Septemberfest are 5-8 years old)
Ideas for activities are needed in ALL of the above listed areas. If you are interested in helping, please e-mail Jessica Stewart or call at 405-744-7960. Please have your ideas in by August 6.
Want to Blog for the OKC Fair?
Are you interested in doing a blog for the OKC Fair? We are looking for an educator, leader or youth to write 700 words to post on the OKC Fair site. Photos and video can be included. Some possible ideas could be… what a 4-Her does to get his or her project ready for the fair, a typical day at the fair for a 4-H participant, why 4-H is important to the fair, or something else 4-H/fair related.. If you are interested, please email your idea to me at tracy.beck@okstate.edu by August 15, 2010.
Oklahoma 4-H is Wired!
Are you on Facebook? Did you know Oklahoma 4-H is, too? Become a fan of Oklahoma 4-H Youth Development to get some of the latest information and updates on what's going on around the state! You can also follow us on Twitter: @Oklahoma4H.
4-H Cloverleaf Newsletter - June 2010 Issue Available
The June Issue (attached) is now online at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/cloverleaf.html. The newsletter will be published electronically each quarter - December, March, June and September. It can be down loaded or read from the state 4-H web page.
Why the Cloverleaf? Because just like the arrangement of highways resembling a four-leaf clover, 4-H has entrance and exit ramps enabling our members to change direction rapidly and smoothly.
Each quarter a different topic will be featured, new projects and programs introduced and new resources shared. The "reporters" will be Oklahoma 4-H members who are serving as club, county and district reporters, as well as representatives of the State 4-H Leadership Council. Cluster Representatives will work with county reports in collecting news.
Shane Jemison, State Reporter
State Council Traveling Workshops for 2010-11
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
Leadership |
Healthy Living |
Citizenship |
STEM |
Programming will focus on the four national missions. Cluster representatives will contact county educators and the presidents of the parent-volunteer organizations and county officers/teen leaders during the months of July and August to schedule fall and spring traveling workshops.
These train the trainer traveling workshops are packaged programs ready to take back to the local club and implement. The content is appropriate for adult and youth audiences. The volunteers receive lesson plans which can be taken back to the local club.
Charles Maloy and Maddi Shires, State 4-H Leadership Council, Traveling Workshop Chairs
"i4H: There's an App for That" - Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Forum - Extension on Deposit Deadline August 2nd
Looking for a way to rejuvenate your enthusiasm as a volunteer or county educator? Rock Eagle is the place! The best way to describe the experience is 4-H Camp for Adults. The days are packed with excellent workshops and the evenings are filled with entertainment and Fun Shops. To view a video of the 2009 conference, follow the link http://www.4hsrlf.org/09SRLF/09forum.htm .
The conference will be held in Eatonton Georgia, September 30 - October 3, 2010. Full Conference registration will not exceed $275. A $50 deposit is due July 16 August 2, 2010 remaining balance is due August 20th. Visit the host state conference site at www.4hsrlf.org for current information regarding the conference. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Oklahoma typically travels as a group via air transportation.
The mission of the Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum is to increase the capacity of volunteer and salaried staff to contribute to the achievement of the mission of 4-H youth development and the Cooperative Extension system as a whole. The primary purpose of the forum is to educate and prepare participants to share what they learned back home. Participants benefit from the experiential learning activities which require them to discuss, use and apply what they learn. The ultimate application is for individuals and teams to teach others.
SRVLF is an excellent opportunity to meet adult volunteers from 13 southern states, Puerto Rico, Grenada, and the Virgin Islands.
4-H Game Day
The 4-H Football game day will be at the game September 18 against Tulsa. The price per ticket will be $50 each, which is discounted from the normal $90 price. This year we will not be receiving registration for 4-H Game Day through our office. Discount tickets will be made available through the OSU ticket office for the OSU v. Tulsa game and will be ordered on line then picked up at the "Will Call" ticket window. As soon as the site is available we will have a link from the 4-H Page and we will also send out a system-wide e-mail notice.
Military Family Appreciation at the Tulsa Zoo August 14
Oklahoma 4-H
Operation: Military Kids would like to announce an opportunity for military
kids and family to spend the day at the Tulsa Zoo and Living
Museum on August
14 absolutely FREE! The park opens at 9 am.
This is a great opportunity for military families to spend some time
as a family with exclusive activities and personal animal encounters
with the animals' trainers. FREE lunch is provided at noon in the event
lodge exclusively for military families. This day is organized to honor
military kids and their entire families'
service to our country. Please
hurry – tickets are limited! To RSVP and reserve your family’s
spot, email ryan.moehle@okstate.edu or
call 405-744-8885!
RSVP by August 6, 2010.
All military kids must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
Once registration is received, a confirmation email will be sent with
an agenda. The registration
form and flyer are attached.
If you have any questions or cannot open the attachment, please let me know.
We are grateful for your service to our country, Thank you!
Spread the Word!