Focus on Youth
News for OCES staff working with youth.
February, 2011
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Table of Contents
Dear Educators and Volunteers,
Earlier this week, at our 4-H and FCS in-service we talked about our need to be able to communicate how 4-H helps young people. A recent report shows that it not only helps them be successful, but it also helps them excel beyond their peers.
The structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that young people receive through their participation in 4-H plays a vital role in helping them achieve future life successes. For nearly a decade, preeminent youth development scholar, Dr. Richard Lerner, and the team at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University have been working with faculty at land-grant universities to conduct The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development.
The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal study that began in 2002, and continues today, surveying more than 6,400 adolescents from diverse backgrounds across 34 US states. This in-depth study showed that, when compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H have higher educational achievement and motivation for future education and are more civically active and make more civic contributions to their communities.
The study also found that 4-H members make healthier choices, are more involved in science and tend to be more civically engaged. To learn more about this study and the most recent results, visit: http://www.4-h.org/about/youth-development-research/
So, you might ask, if we have this data why are we trying to do more impact programming in Oklahoma? Bottom line is that we are falling short when it comes to reaching our target audiences. We also are not documenting how well we are doing in Oklahoma, so we will be focusing more on being strategic in what we do, documenting what we do and then bragging on the positive impacts we make in the lives of children, youth and families in Oklahoma.
We are blessed in Oklahoma to have some of the most dedicated staff and volunteers, yet we have many young people that we are not able to reach, so we do need to each try to recruit more caring and significant adults to have positive impacts in the lives of our Oklahoma youth.
Thanks for all you do for not just 4-H, but all youth!
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
4-H Day at the Capitol
4-H Day at the Capitol will be held Tuesday, April 19th. All 4-H members serving on the State Leadership Council, as 4-H State 4-H Ambassador or as a District Officer (current and incoming) have been invited to participate in the event. If your county does not have a young person in one of those roles, you will be allowed to select one youth from your county to attend. Additional information will be forth coming, but please mark the date on your calendar.
If you have any questions please call Charles Cox or Cathy Allen at 405-744-4493.
February is National Pet Dental Health Month
Just as, dental care is important for us it is also important for our pets. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats develop gum disease by the age of three years. The American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) recommends that your pet receive regular, professional dental care from your veterinarian as well as care from you at home.
Here are three basic steps the AVDS suggests you follow:
- Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
- Begin a dental care regime at home.
- Schedule regular veterinary checkups to monitor progress of your pet’s dental health routine.
A veterinarian can suggest dental health care, such as brushing your pet’s teeth with toothpaste made for animals. Do not use people toothpaste.
Another effective method is feeding specially formulated foods proven effective in combating plaque and tartar buildup. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an organization started by the AVDS, appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats.
Don't wait for your pet's annual checkup if you think there is a problem. Signs of oral and dental diseases in dogs and cats include: bad breath, loose teeth or teeth covered in tartar, your pet shies away when you touch its mouth area, drooling or dropping food from the mouth, bleeding from the mouth, or loss of weight.
For more information about Pet Dental Health and things you can do to recognize Pet Dental Health Month visit with your veterinarian and check out "Dental Health 4-Pets" from the Oklahoma 4-H Lit Online website http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/litol/file/animal/companion/smallanimal/dental%20health%204%20pets.pdf
4-H Ambassador Application Now Available
The 2011 4-H Ambassador applications are available on the Ambassador link on the 4-H website or at the following address http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/ambassador/become.html Applications are due to Cathy Allen April 1. Ambassador interviews will be held on the OSU campus Saturday, May 14th.
Pet Care Seminars
The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences sponsors Pet Health Care Seminars each month, February – May, on the first Tuesday of the month. Each seminar is open to the public and held in the McElroy Auditorium beginning at 7 pm.
On February 1st, Dr. Paul DeMars, Small Animal Community Practice veterinarian at OSU's veterinary hospital, will discuss the numerous causes of ear problems, a common pet health issue. DeMars will share clinical signs, diagnostics, treatment choices and more. He will also cover preventative healthcare steps to help owners protect their pets' ears.
Recently, some of the seminars have been recorded are available for online viewing online at http://www.cvhs.okstate.edu/welcome/ from there choose the Pet Care Seminars from the Animal Health Care tab.
4-H Pet Fun Day - Feb 5, 2011
The Amazing Small Animal Project (ASAP) Teen group has been working hard this fall preparing for the first-ever 4-H Pet Fun Day. The purpose of this event is to provide 4-H youth the opportunity to come together to have fun with and show off their pets.
Activities of the day include but are not limited to:
- A contest for the best 4-H Companion Animal Display
- Dog Quiz Bowl Competition
- Hamster Races
- Intro to 4-H Dog Obedience and Agility
- Includes instructional workshop and a beginner fun contest
- Introduction to Rabbit Showing and Showmanship
- Practice rabbits will be on available for a hands-on workshop
Pet Photo Contest
Pet Fun Show, including categories such as the best dog trick, best non-dog trick, dog that looks most like owner and many more
Fun and Games, including Pet Bingo, Treat Walk and Dog Tic-Tac-Toe
Registration will be from 9 - 9:30am, February 5th, at the Tulsa Fairgrounds Super Duty Arena. The event is expected to last until mid-afternoon, so be sure and pack a lunch and bring some snacks for both you and your pet. Cloverbuds are invited but will have special restrictions. For a complete listing of rules and requirements, including animal health requirements log on to http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/animal.htm or contact Steve.
4-H Recordbook Project Ideas
Find ideas for projects through the yearly "4-H Highlights." "Four-H Highlights" feature each year's record book winners by project and explain a little more about what that year's winner did in his or her project.
For years 2003-2007, please visit http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/awards/archive.htm
For years 2008-2010, please visit http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/awards/awards.htm
Oklahoma 4-H Report Form PDF version now available
The Oklahoma Report Form is now available in a PDF version for those who do not wish to use tables or graphs in their state record book. This PDF enables you to work on the record book without having to worry as much about Word's sometimes strange formatting. Please note that you still must type your story and add your photos as done in the past. This is the report form only.
State 4-H Record Book and Scholarship Applications
Find all of the state record book and scholarship applications at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/awards/handbook.htm. The 2011 Awards Update will be posted soon.
$15 |
OSU Green Hats - Are you interested?Did you miss the opportunity to purchase a hat last year? All profits from the sale of hats will go toward a 4-H Foundation Endowment being established for State Council Uniforms. We have the opportunity to pre-order hats this year! If your county would like to purchase in quantities of no less than five (5), please complete the Doodle survey no later than February 7th. |
Key Club Scholarship Essay
Previously, Key Club Scholarship applicants were asked to write a one page essay on their Key Club activities. Please note that the essay topic has changed. This applies for the scholarship, NOT the general award.
The Key Club Scholarship essay topic is now "How have you given back to the 4-H program?"
All other requirements (formatting, length) remain the same.