2011 4-H Roundup
Focus on Youth
News for OCES staff working with youth.
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
September, 2011
Dear Educators and Volunteers,
This is the sixth of the "Eight Essential Elements of a Positive 4-H experience." If you have missed the first five go back to the past issues of Focus on Youth. We have recently hosted trainings this summer for all educators with 50 percent or more 4-H responsibility on the "Eight Essential Elements of 4-H," and we hope many of you start to use the materials with volunteers as we are intentional about our positive youth development efforts.
Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future
The ability to see oneself in the future is to have hope and optimism to shape life choices to facilitate the transition into participating in the future.
This Element is present when:
- Youth members draw on their various interests to help choose possible career paths and hobbies.
- Members look forward to being a leader in the organization, or group.
- Youth make plans for the coming year.
- The club shares excitement about a future activity or opportunity.
Ways to support the Element:
- Encourage youth to set goals for themselves for five-ten years in the future that are challenging, yet achievable.
- Provide opportunities for youth to realize some of their goals through programs and projects.
- Give youth opportunities to develop an idea and see it through to completion.
- Encourage youth to think positively.
Some youth see no future for themselves or they see a future they can't accept. If youth believe they have no future then they have no hope. Nor are they likely to consider consequences of their actions or believe they are accountable for the results of those risks. People who don't believe they have a future are more likely to take unnecessary risks - some being extremely dangerous. It's important for the adults that work with youth to express hope for the future and to demonstrate, by their own actions, that setting goals and working toward them is important.
For example, an adult club leader who decides to improve her health by setting a goal to quit smoking is showing belief in the future. By enlisting the support and encouragement of club members, the leader is giving the group an opportunity to support her vision for a better future. The youth are partners in an opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future. Many youth development organizations offer ways to foster belief in the future. Sports teams practice week after week in order to be ready for future games. Debate teams prepare both affirmative and opposing arguments in anticipation of a possible side they'll take in a future debate. Schools teach classes that prepare students to set goals for graduation and beyond. Preparation, practice and determination support the premise that hard work pays off in the future. Youth benefit from knowing that the future is worth working for. Four-H is among the premier youth organizations that encourage goal-setting, planning, and progress toward a better future.
References
Floyd, D. T., & McKenna, L. (2003). National youth organizations in the United States: Contributions to civil society. In D. Wertlieb, F. Jacobs, & R. M. Lerner (Eds.) Promoting positive youth and family development: Community systems, citizenship, and civil society (pp. 11-26). Volume 3 of Handbook of applied developmental science: Promoting positive child, adolescent, and family development through research, policies, and programs (pp.11-26). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
King, P. E., Dowling, E. M., Mueller, R. A., White, K., Schultz, W., Osborn, P., Dickerson, E., Bobek, D. L., Lerner, R. M., Benson, P.L. & Scales. P.C. (2005). Thriving in adolescence: The voices of youth-serving practitioners, parents and early and late adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 25 (1), pp. 94-112.
Lerner, R.M. (2004). Liberty: Thriving and civic engagement among American youth. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
Oklahoma State University
2011 4-H Roundup Share the Fun |
2011 4-H Roundup Food Showdown
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Paper Clover
The 2011 fall Paper Clover promotion with Tractor Supply Company/Del's begins Wednesday, September 2,1 and runs through October 2nd, just prior to the start of National 4-H Week! There are several new features and upgrades to the upcoming promotion, including: participation awards and incentives for county and state 4-H programs and new procedure for accessing the promotional toolkit on 4-H.org. Educators and volunteers are encouraged to work with local stores to assure strong participation and visibility. This year there is a way for local clubs to register their in-store events, and, by doing so, they might win a $250 prize.
According to the Tractor Supply Store, there are stores in the following locations: ADA, ARDMORE, BARTLESVILLE, BRISTOW, DUNCAN, DURANT, EDMOND, EL RENO, GLENPOOL, GUYMON, IDABEL, MCALESTER, MIAMI, MOORE, MUSKOGEE, MUSTANG, PONCA CITY, PRYOR, PURCELL, SALLISAW, SAND SPRINGS, SHAWNEE, STILLWATER, TAHLEQUAH, and WEATHERFORD.
Charles Cox and Jessica Stewart
Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) Challenge
Getting people moving is extremely important, and 4-H has set a goal with Michelle Obama to get 100,000 4-H members to complete the PALA by the end of September. But, it isn't exclusive to 4-H. You can join the PALA with your colleagues, your family, your friends or people in the communities you serve. Anyone age 13 or older can start a group, or you can simply join the National 4-H group. And, by setting up an account you can use the activity tracker to log physical activity, join groups, and earn awards. This is a great way to get people moving! Additional details are below.
What is PALA?
PALA is the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge. It is part of the Let's Move initiative. The goal is to help you add activity to your day and to get you on the path to fitness success.
How can I join?
To join PALA, go to http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/ and follow the instructions to create an account and join the challenge. Be sure to use the name "National 4-H Program" or the ID number "96548" if you want to join the National 4-H group. If you want to create your own group, use "4-H" in the title of your group.
What do I have to do?
After you create an account all you have to do is be physically active for six consecutive weeks, five days a week (60 minutes for youth, 30 minutes for adults) and log your activities into the site. As you log your physical activity you accumulate points and earn awards!
How can I learn more about the challenge?
You can find additional information about the PALA on the President's Challenge website - http://www.presidentschallenge.org/natl4-H/. Or, if you are interested, 4-H hosted a webinar and the recording is available at http://nationalfourhcouncil.adobeconnect.com/p95418067/. You can also contact Lindsey Jewell, Program Specialist at the National 4-H Headquarters.
OAE4-HA Annual Meeting - 2012
The OAE4-HA annual meeting will be held August 8-10, 2012, at the Embassy Suites in Norman. OAE4-HA members, please mark your calendars!
Kyle Worthington, OAE4-HA Annual Conference Chair
Roundup 2012
The dates for the 91st State 4-H Roundup will be July 25-27, 2012. Please mark your calendars.
2010-2011 State Service Projects
The Service Project Committee has come up with three projects that the State Council will be promoting for the upcoming year. Flyers for all three programs can be downloaded at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/project.html.
Change for Change
Every piece of change counts! It's simple: CHANGE the life of an individual, organization or community by collecting loose change at meetings, events and activities. Monies collected will be donated to the Oklahoma Children's Hospital. This campaign for the Oklahoma Children's Hospital Foundation began July 29th at Round-up. Change will be collected every three months - 11/1/11, 2/1/12, 5/1/12 and 6/1/12. Checks should be made out to State 4-H Foundation with Change for Change on the memo line. Please make sure to put either your club, county or district so that you get credit for what you collect.
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"Go Green" Service Each club is encouraged to plan a new or innovative service-learning project focusing on an environmental need. The project could be for an individual, family, school, organization or community.
A Service-Learning Action Plan, (SLAP Guide) will take you through the process step by step and provide a way to record plans and actions. |
OMK: Smile Bags
OMK has received a face lift. The Hero Packs are now being referred to as "Smile Bags" because we want to spread smiles to the faces of the children whose parents serve their country. Continue to collect items for family smile bags and individual smile bags for youth.
Recognition of Participation
The council will recognize participation with a certificate. Certificates will be presented to a club or county who completes and turns in the following on or before June 1, 2012.
Go Green - SLAP Guide and Story
Smile Bags - Report of items collected and donated
Change for Change - Donations collected and submitted to the State 4-H Foundation.
All support materials and forms are posted at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/project.html.
Thanks for all your support and participation.
The Service Project Committee: Mandy Schroeder, Chair; Walter Allard, Chair Elect; Members, Tanner Allread, Brian Barton, Sarah Burrows, Jena Rae Kellum
Oklahoma AKC Canine Experience
In order to celebrate Oklahoma Responsible Dog Ownership Day, AKC will be hosting their Canine Experience 9 am - 5 pm, Saturday, September 17, 2011, at the Glenpool Conference Center, 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!
We are expecting both participants with dogs as well as a lot of walk-through traffic from the general public with an interest in dogs. If you would like to participate by setting up a 4-H display about dogs or help run activities at the 4-H booth contact Steve Beck to reserve some space.
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 games and activities for children, educational programs, dog costume contests and much more. All are welcome, with or without their dogs, but if you are bringing a dog be sure to bring 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 or steve.beck@okstate.edu.