State 4-H Horse Show, Shawnee

Focus on Youth

News for OCES staff working with youth.

oklahoma4h.okstate.edu

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

Dear Educators and Volunteers,

This is the fifth of the Eight Essential Elements of a positive 4-H experience. If you have missed the first four go back to the past issues of Focus on Youth. We will also be hosting trainings this summer for all educators with 50 percent or more 4-H responsibility on the Eight Essential Elements of 4-H. Those trainings will be:

• August 10 - Western Oklahoma, Custer County Fairgrounds
• August 11 - Northeastern Oklahoma, Muskogee Library
• August 15 - Southeastern Oklahoma, Coal County Fairgrounds

5) Opportunity for mastery

Mastery is the building of knowledge, skills and attitudes and then demonstrating the competent use of the knowledge and skills in the manner of a proficient practitioner. The level of mastery is dependent on the developmental ability of the youth. The development of mastery is a process that takes place over time.

This Element is present when:

• Members grow in projects that capture their interest.
• Youth eventually assist or mentor others in the same interest area or skill.
• Youth demonstrate what they have learned and the skills they have developed.

Ways to support the Element:

Work with youth to help them establish realistic, challenging, and achievable goals.

• Provide opportunities for youth to practice and demonstrate skills to others.
• Allow time for youth to reflect on successes, setbacks, growth, and pride.
• Plan developmentally appropriate activities, and accommodate diverse learning styles.
• Ensure that all programs have a progression of difficulty and challenge.
• Provide numerous opportunities for youth to serve as teachers of others.
• Provide youth with training in how to teach others effectively.

Self-confidence and a sense of meaningful accomplishment result in young people feeling a sense of mastery. Small accomplishments when children are young lead to a willingness to work toward greater, life-changing accomplishments when they're older. Acquiring and practicing skills, putting in effort, and reaching a goal results in mastery. Mastery is related to "self-efficacy," which is belief in one's ability to succeed. A young person's sense of self-efficacy can play a major role in how he/she approaches goals, tasks, and challenges.

Youth can gain a sense of mastery in social, academic, physical, artistic, and vocational arenas. Social competence would include interpersonal skills (e.g., conflict resolution, showing empathy, communication). School grades, attendance, and test scores are part of academic competence. The dancer, skilled athlete, or overweight teen who has found joy in being physically active demonstrates physical competence. Artistic mastery is revealed through a rock band's performance or the acceptance of a watercolor for a gallery showing. Vocational competence involves work habits and career choice explorations.

Youth programs may reward mastery through scout badges, sports letters, ribbons, and scholarships, but these are often merely symbols of the time, skill, commitment, and endurance required for true mastery. Though nice to have, in the long term the symbols don't mean as much as young people knowing that they completed a "job well done" and that they will succeed at other tasks.

Four-H programs that have environments that promote self-efficacy and mastery encourage youth to take risks, seek out challenges, and focus on self-improvement rather than comparing themselves to their peers.

References

Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 71-81). New York: Academic Press. (Reprinted in H. Friedman [Ed.], Encyclopedia of mental health. San Diego: Academic Press, 1998).
Brandtstadter, J. (2006). Action perspective in human development. In R.M. Lerner (Ed) Theoretical models of human development, Vol. 1 of Handbook of Child Psychology, (6th ed.). Editors-in-chief: W. Damon & R. M. Lerner. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Lerner, R.M., (2004). Genes and the promotion of positive human development: Hereditatian versus development systems perspectives. In C. Garcia Coll, E. Bearer, & R.M. Lerner (Eds.). Nature and nurture: The complex interplay of genetic and environmental influences on human behavior and development (pp. 1-33). Mawah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development

Septemberfest Planning

It's time to start thinking about Septemberfest and activities that promote 4-H to an urban audience. Septemberfest will be held on the Governor's Mansion lawn in Oklahoma City on Sept. 10, from 10 am to 4 pm. If you're interested in participating, please email Jessica Stewart.

Jessica Stewart

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 Creative Arts 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 17, 18, 24 and 25. Tickets will be available for those who are selected to work. If you have questions, please contact Jenny Grigsby at the Oklahoma State Fair, (405) 948-6700. Applications are due September 2, 2011.

Tracy Beck

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 September 2, 2011.

Tracy Beck

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. 17, 18, 24 and 25). The guidelines and application form are attached.  If you need additional information, please call me at (405) 744-8891. The deadline for being considered is September 2, 2011.

Tracy Beck

State Fairs (OKC and Tulsa)

2011 marks the 200th year of state fairs in the US. We would like to showcase 4-H's involvement with the fair through the ages. Please submit your "FAVORITE FAIR PHOTO"" to Tracy Beck by September 2 to be displayed at either the Oklahoma State Fair or Tulsa State Fair. These photos will not be judged. They will be arranged in a display. Counties may submit as many photographs as they wish. They must be printed 8x10 photos (no emailed photos). On the back of each photo, please write the county name, year of photo, individuals shown (if known) and also a caption describing the photo.

Photographs will NOT be returned.

Tracy Beck

2011-2012 4-H Afterschool Mini-Grants proposals due August 12

4-H National Headquarters and the collaboration between National 4-H Council, JCPenney, and the MetLife Foundation are pleased to release the RFP for the 2011-2012 4-H Afterschool Mini-Grants. To review the RFP and apply for funding, please visit the online portal at http://grants.4-h.org/ and click "Funding Opportunities." Applications are due no later than August 12 at 11:59pm Eastern.

All applications for funding from National 4-H Council MUST be submitted by 4-H/Extension professionals. Applications submitted by non-4-H/Extension employees will not be considered for funding. Approval from State Program Leaders or Program Administrators must be received by the application deadline for any application submitted, per the emailed instructions the State Program Leader/Program Administrator will receive once an application is submitted.

Note the following funding information:

• 1,100 mini-grants totaling $500,000 are available. Tthe amount per slot will average $450.
• A maximum of $50,000 will be awarded to a single Afterschool program.
• Afterschool programs must operate daily, Monday through Friday during the school year (approx. August 29, 2011 – June 30, 2012).
• Funds cannot be used to support youth in summer programs.
• JCPenney requires that Afterschool programs operate within twenty (20) miles of a JCPenney Store or unit (such as a Catalog Center).
• MetLife Foundation has put a priority on programs located in urban areas, specifically: New York City; New Jersey; Rhode Island; Tampa; Boston; Dallas; Utica, NY; St. Louis; the Greater Chicago area; and Atlanta.

Questions about these grants can be directed to Gregg Tabachow, at gtabachow@fourhcouncil.edu, or 301-961-2869.

Cathy Allen

4-H Dog Shows

It's almost fair time, and the Oklahoma State Fair and the Tulsa State Fair have opportunities for 4-H Dog Project members to show off their dogs. Both fairs offer 4-H classes in Obedience, Rally Obedience and Showmanship. Additionally, the show at Tulsa offers classes in agility.

These are great opportunities for both new and experienced dog show participants. Dogs should be well socialized, healthy and current on vaccinations. Mutts welcom. Breed registration is not a requirement. 

The Oklahoma State Fair 4-H Dog Show will be held September 24, 2011, with registration due by August 24, 2011. The Tulsa State Fair Dog Show will be held October 9, 2011, with registration due by September 16, 2011. Event information and registration forms can be found at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/statefair.htm.

For more information about participation in 4-H Dog shows contact Steve Beck at (405) 744-8886 or steve.beck@okstate.edu. 

Steve Beck

Oklahoma AKC Canine Experience

In order to celebrate Oklahoma Responsible Dog Ownership Day, AKC will be hosting their Canine Experience Saturday, September 17, 2011, at Glenpool, OK.  The 4-H ASAP Teen Leaders will be participating and setting up their own booth and would like to see lots of 4-H families, including their dogs, on hand for a day of learning, hanging out with other 4-H dog lovers and fun!  

During the canine experience there will be many AKC Breed Clubs on hand with the goal of introducing you to a variety of breeds. There will be activities for children, educational programs, dog costume contests and much more. When coming to the Canine Experience you should bring your dog, a water bowl, leash, copy of registration papers, if registered (registration and AKC membership are not required), up to date vaccination records and a crate if you have one. All dogs must be at least 3 months of age. 

The event will be held at the Glenpool Conference Center, 12205 South Yukon, Glenpool, OK, just 10 miles south of Tulsa. 
Details will be posted on the 4-H Companion Animal Website as they are released. If you would like to help the ASAP teens with their booth or would like more information, contact Steve Beck at the state 4-H office, (405) 744-8886. 

Steve Beck

Celebrate AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days in September

The goal of AKC RDO Days is to educate dog owners about the responsibilities of dog ownership and help current owners enhance their relationships with their pets. AKC encourages all dog owners to attend an AKC RDO Days event if possible.  If attending an event is not something you can do this year, then reflect on your own dog care and see if you are willing to take the AKC Responsilbe Dog Owner Pet Promise.

AKC RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER PET PROMISE

As a dog owner, I do solemnly swear:

• I will never overlook my responsibilities for this living being and recognize that my dog's welfare is totally dependent on me.
• I will always provide fresh water and quality food for my dog.
• I will socialize my dog via exposure to new people, places and other dogs.
• I will take pride in my dog's appearance with regular grooming.
• I will recognize the necessity of basic training by teaching my dog to reliably sit, stay and come when called.
• I will take my dog to the vet regularly and keep all vaccinations current.
• I will pick-up and properly dispose of my dog's waste.
• I will make sure my dog is regarded as an AKC Canine Good Citizen by being aware of my responsibilities to my neighbors and to the community.
• I will ensure that the proper amount of exercise and mental stimulation appropriate for my dog's age, breed and energy level is provided.
• I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification (which may include collar tags, tattoo or microchip ID.)
• I will adhere to local leash laws.

Here are some things you can do to celebrate Responsible Dog Owner Days:

• Microchip your pet.
• Spay/Neuter your pet.
• Give a dog bite prevention demonstration to your 4-H club.
• Start a training program for your dog.
• Pass a Canine Good Citizen test.
• Collect donations for your local humane shelter.
• Attend an AKC RDO Days event http://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/events .
• Spend some extra time playing with your dog

For more information and ideas contact Steve Beck.

Steve Beck

Volunteers Recognized at State Parent-Volunteer Conference

Karla Knoepfli