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Focus on Youth
News for OCES staff working with youth.
May, 2011
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Dear Educators and Volunteers,
This is the second of the 8 Essential Elements needed for Positive Youth Development: A safe emotional and physical environment
Youth should not fear physical or emotional harm while participating in the 4-H experience, whether from the learning environment itself, or from adults, other participants, or spectators.
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Youth groups do not tolerate bullying, cliques, or put-downs.
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Adult leaders and volunteers are screened before they begin working with youth groups and are continually trained in safety and child protection.
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Adults plan safety aspects into all meetings, camps, events, and trips.
Ways to support the Element:
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Train adults to be consistent in how they deal with misbehavior.
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Make sure all leaders - adults as well as youth - are trained in risk management.
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Actively engage youth in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs.
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Survey youth about ways to improve the group's environment.
About the Element
How effectively can a program serve youth if a sense of physical and emotional safety is a missing component? The likelihood of engaging youth who are not comfortable with their surroundings is very slim. Likewise, adult volunteers may also be averse to participating in programs where they are not equipped to handle certain situations or emergencies. Hence, this remains the reason for establishing important programs that perpetuate youth development within a safe environment. All young people and adult volunteers deserve to have a safe and secure place in order to reach desirable developmental outcomes. They should not have to forgo participation in programs, projects, or activities due to fear or feelings of not being safe in specific environments. Youth can play a role in helping to identify safe locations, for they are quite astute regarding what areas within the community pose negative factors and what programs, settings, and comfort levels are most appealing to their peers. They can help to search for agencies that serve as official "safe places," such as a local Boys and Girls Clubs or any public place where young people feel as though nothing is present that will jeopardize their safety.
Depending on the delivery mode for 4-H programs, ensuring a safe environment can take different forms. Within clubs, for camp programs, and with other situations involving direct youth contact, background checks are required to qualify adult volunteers to serve in specific roles. Teachers and volunteers are also screened whenever special interest and school enrichment projects are organized and implemented. But it is also important to remember that physical space should be evaluated to guarantee safe participation.
References
Granger, R.C. (2002). Creating the conditions linked to positive youth development. New Directions for Youth Development, 95, 149-164.
Huebner, A., & McFarland, M. (2000). Youthworks: A performance-based training program for youth development professionals: Creating environments that meet needs (Vol. 3). USDA and Department of the Army, Child and Youth Services. Washington, DC.
National Research Council and Institute of Medicine (2002). Community programs to promote youth development. J. Eccles & J.A. Gottman (Eds.). Board on Children, Youth and Families, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
4-H Facilitated ASI ATV Safety RiderCourse
We are pleased to be kicking off a new program that we will be offering to youth and parents. The 4-H-facilitated program will provide the opportunity for participants to learn about ATV safety, thanks to grants awarded by National 4-H Council as part of the 4-H ATV Safety Grant Program, a collaboration among local 4-H groups, the national 4-H Youth Development Program and the ATV Safety Institute (ASI).
ATV Safety Training
Once trained the OSU Cooperative Extension Service 4-H educators and other state educators who have become ASI-licensed instructors will deliver the ASI ATV RiderCourse to counties and communities.
About the ATV Safety Institute ATV RiderCourse Training
The ASI, hands-on, half-day, ATV RiderCourse they will present will offer students an opportunity to increase their safety knowledge and to practice basic riding skills in a controlled environment under the direct supervision of a licensed instructor. The RiderCourse includes pre-ride inspection, starting and stopping, quick turns, hill-riding, emergency stopping/swerving, and riding over obstacles. Participants will also learn about protective gear, local regulations, places to ride and environmental concerns.
The Educators who will be among the first trained will be:
Team 1 April 18-21, 2011-OSU Extension Educators
Brad Bain, McCurtain County Extension Educator
Kourtney Coats, Logan County Extension Educator
Josh Davis, Pottawatomie County Extension Educator
Aaron Hanson, Tillman County Extension Educator
Darrell McBee, Harper County Extension Educator
Radonna Sawatzky, Custer County Extension Educator
Lindsey Varner, Bryan County Extension Educator
Brian Womack, Texas County Extension Educator
Team 2 April 26-29, 2011-OSU Extension and Other Educators
Dusty Applegate, OK Farm Bureau
Cindy Bonds, Stephens County 4-H Volunteer
Samantha Ephgrave, Noble County Extension Educator
Justin Grego, OK Farm Bureau
Regina McCurdy, OK State Department of Health
Emily Prichard, Grady County Extension Educator
Ross Sestak, Lincoln County Extension Educator
Todd Trennepohl, Woods County Extension Educator
In the months ahead you will hear more about the program and how you can involve youth from your county. Mike Klumpp, retired Arkansas State 4-H Specialist, and Kourtney Coats, Logan County, are providing leadership to this program for Oklahoma. On the 21st and 29th participants will do a practicum to demonstrate their teaching skills and will be looking for youth and adults to be their students. If you would be interested in coming on one of those days to get a hands-on look at the program as a student, please send Kourtney an email to let him know you are willing to be a volunteer student. The trainings will be held in Bethany, OK.
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.
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.
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.
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 July 29th 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" of sorts.
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.
STEM Institute (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Are you looking for something a little different? Maybe reaching out to a new group of youth? This summer you have an exciting opportunity to incorporate science and technology into community service. This year's institute will include tracks on precision agriculture, iGreen (environmental and water conservation), alternative energy, digital photography, videography, robotics, and Geospatial Technology.
The institute will be held June 1-2, here at OSU. Cost varies, depending on the options you select - $25 if you stay off campus, or $60 if you stay in the dorm suites.
I will be looking for teams of youth and adults willing to partner and address a community need or increase awareness of a community issue, using technology. The steps in this program are simple:
- Find a group of teenage youth interested in community issues.
- Attend the institute.
- Let them select a project.
- Learn about the issue by partnering with a local organization.
- Create a project using technology, a video, a series of photos, or a group of maps that will teach others what you have learned.
- Present some educational programs to the public, 4-H clubs, or anyone showing what you have discovered.
- Include the technology/media in all you do. They will be interested.
If you explore Lego Robotics you will return home to start a robotics club to compete in the Lego Robotics competition (small robots, not the big ones), then present educational programs about what you have learned.
If you are interested in the environmental track there are some additional funding opportunities for your team.
Attached is the registration form and a flyer for your use.
Online News Information Sheet and Record Book System
An electronic news information sheet and record book entry system has been developed for this year's state record book program. You can find it at http://okla.4h.okstate.edu/recordbook/ Instructions were sent to 4-H Educators on April 12. If you have technical difficulties using the system, please contact Jessica Stewart or Carl Hamby at the state 4-H office.
National Youth Science Day: October 5, 2011 - Save the Date!
Announcing the 2011 National Science Experiment: Wired for Wind!
4-H National Headquarters and National 4-H Council are pleased to reveal that the 2011 National Science Experiment is Wired for Wind, an in-depth look at renewable energy technologies in the form of wind-power. Developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension program, this three-tiered experiment will help 4-H young people to enhance their science, engineering, technology and applied math. For up to date details go to: http://n4h.convio.net/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=7662&em_id=3861.0
State Leadership Council - Change for CHANGE
A State 4-H Council Service project this year has been Change For CHANGE, which benefits the Children's Hospital Foundation. The council has asked 4-H clubs to collect change to change the life of an Oklahoma child. All funds raised stay in Oklahoma to support education, research and physicians treating childhood diseases such as diabetes, autism, cancer, ADHD and arthritis.
The next collection for change is May 1, 2011. Please make checks payable to "State 4-H Foundation," and note Change for CHANGE on the memo. The last collection for the 2010-2011 campaign will be June 1, 2011.
The amounts will be totaled for each district and count toward the State Spirit Contest. It is a win-win situation—supporting district pride while helping make a change in a child's life.
Remember every piece of CHANGE counts in making a "change" in the life of a child. Thank you for your support!
The State Service Project Committee
Mandy Schroeder, Committee Chair
Walter Allard, Chair Elect
Tanner Allread, Sarah Burrows, Jena Rae Kellum, Members
State Leadership Council - OMK Hero Packs and Family Night Packages
The State Council continued the Operation Military Kids Hero Packs and Family Night Package service projects this year. Please include all donations on a 2010-2011 OMK Report Form, which is located at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/project.html. Reports are due June 1. Reports received by this date will count toward the State Roundup Spirit Contest.
As a reminder, cluster representatives will pick up donations delivered to your county office. Thank you for continuing to support the families of the deployed men and women who serve our country.
The State Service Project Committee
Mandy Schroeder, Committee Chair
Walter Allard, Chair Elect
Tanner Allread, Sarah Burrows, Jena Rae Kellum, Members
State Leadership Council - Making a Difference - One Project at a Time
The purpose of the Making a Difference project is to is encourage 4-H clubs to plan a new or innovative service-learning project during our Year of Service. The project could be for an individual, school, organization or community.
Reports are due to the district office no later than June 1, 2011. The top 10 club projects from each district will be featured on Oklahoma 4-H YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Oklahoma4H.
Forms are located at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/project.html. Send an electronic copy of the completed S.L.A.P. guide and the photographic story (http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/workshop.html) no later than June 1 to Mandy Schroeder.
Reports received by June 1 will count toward district points awarded as part of the State Spirit Contest at Roundup.
The State Service Project Committee
Mandy Schroeder, Committee Chair
Walter Allard, Chair Elect
Tanner Allread, Sarah Burrows, Jena Rae Kellum, Members
State Parent-Volunteer Conference
"4-H: The Green Promise" is the theme of the 2011 State Parent-Volunteer Conference. The conference is scheduled for July 9, in Stillwater. The conference objectives are:
Educate
Through project work we teach youth how to think rather than what to think. How are we preparing youth to understand that there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer but choices to be made based on known and unknown factors?
Create
Creativity is the production of original ideas that are made useful. How are we training youth to generate ideas and develop creative solutions through project work?
Innovate
Innovation is the successful combination of new useful ideas. What opportunities are we providing youth to demonstrate their mastery of problem solving?
The early bird enrollment fee of $30 and enrollment form are due on or before June 17. Any participant sending in an enrollment postmarked after June 17th will be responsible for the full enrollment fee of $40. Conference registration and program will be posted May 1 at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm.
During the luncheon Oklahoma 4-H will recognize volunteers who have been selected by their counties for Volunteer of the Year and Life-Time Service awards and announce the district and state award recipients.
The conference will include door prizes, as well as a silent and live auction. Proceeds from the live auction will go towards the endowment of a Volunteer Development Scholarship with the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.
Conference Service Project - 1000 Steps for a Cure for Cancer. Per each $1 donation an individual's name will be placed on one foot/step closer to a cure. All funds raised will stay in Oklahoma.
Donna Dollins, State Volunteer Board President
Scholarships - 4-H Parent-Volunteer Conference
Oklahoma 4-H received a grant from National 4-H Council, in partnership with Monsanto, to underwrite our State Parent-Volunteer Conference for a fourth year.
"4-H is supported nationwide by a dedicated network of volunteers who know the value of strong, positive youth development. Partners like Monsanto make it possible for 4-H to continue to build and sustain our volunteer base and ensure that even more youth enjoy fulfilling 4-H experiences," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and chief executive officer, National 4-H Council.
"Monsanto has a long-standing tradition of providing support for 4-H," noted Jim Tobin, director, biotech business development, Monsanto, who presented the $500,000 training award to 4-H. "Many company employees were 4-H members and tell us that they credit 4-H for many of the skills they use today to do their jobs—a real credit to the 4-H volunteer leaders who assisted them in their learning process."
Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For additional information, please visit www.monsanto.com.
Our funding will be used for Langston University and Oklahoma State University to enhance our volunteer certification process by encouraging new volunteers to attend the Conference. Up to one-hundred (100) $30 scholarships would be awarded to "certified 4-H adult volunteers" applying to attend the conference for the first time.
To be eligible for the scholarships the volunteers must already be certified—paper work, screening and orientation completed prior to making application. The volunteer must complete the scholarship form and have it signed by the county educator/university representative prior to submitting the scholarship application. Scholarships will be dated as they are received in the state 4-H office.
If awarded a scholarship the volunteer is expected to do a presentation at his/her local club for parents/volunteers or at a county Parent-Volunteer Association meeting. Scholarships will not be awarded in counties where the 2010 reporting process was not fulfilled.
County educators please be sure volunteers making application are committed to attending and returning home to share their experiences. We want all scholarships to be used the day of the conference. Anyone who chooses not to make use of his/her scholarship will need to notify the state office one week prior to the conference so alternates can be notified.