April 23, 2008

Greetings!

District Communication Event

The 4-H District Communications Event was held at Trimble County Middle School on March 28th. Those that participated in demonstrations from Henry County were: Jakob Beckley in the breads category, Lily Tipton in the foods category, and Ashley Renwick in Animal Science. Jakob demonstrated how to make cornbread muffins and received a blue and champion. Lily prepared delicious dirt cups that were a big hit and received a blue ribbon. Ashley shared with everyone how to take care of an orphaned lamb, which the audience found very interesting, she received a white ribbon.

4H ARCHIVES
4-H NOTES

Jakob Beckley recently participated in the District Communications Event.

In the Specialty Acts Renee Toole sang “The Colors of the Wind” for the audience. She received a blue and champion. She is now eligible to perform in Cloverville during the Kentucky State Fair.   Jakob is now eligible to compete at the Kentucky Communications Event that will be held in July. All of the participants received a $10.00 gift certificate from the Henry County 4-H Council to help offset camp costs. Congratulations to you all. Sincerely, Cathy Toole Henry County Extension Agent for 4 H

4-H Camp Forms Available

Henry County 4-Hers will be attending Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp from June 3rd – 6th. This year’s theme is “Camp Hollywood” and there are a lot of fun activities planned. Camp forms are now available at the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service. Henry County Middle School students can pick up forms at the front office. If you would like a form mailed to you or faxed please call the office at 845-2811.

If you would like to apply for a teen leader position you can pick up forms at the Henry County High School front office or call the office to have one sent to you. If you would like to volunteer as an adult leader please call the office. Adult leaders and teen leaders attend camp at no cost to them.

The cost for camp this year is $120.00. The 4-H Council voted to help 4-Hers attend camp by providing $10.00 gift certificates to each youth that competed in a 4-H sponsored event, up to $60.00 of their camp fee. Already the variety show participants have earned $10.00 toward their camp fees. Two more opportunities are available on Thursday, March 13th, at 5:00 pm. The Speech and Demonstration competition will be held at the Henry County Extension Office. If students choose to compete in both events they will receive $20.00 gift certificates that day. This is a real opportunity for campers to earn half of the money they need to go to camp. Speeches can be on any topic the participant chooses and demonstrations are a basic “how to” piece. Any hobby or interest a student has can easily be made into a demonstration. If you would like publications on how to give a speech or demonstration they are available.

We do accept payment plans for camp. To hold a slot for camp all you have to do is fill out the application form and mail a check for $10.00 to the address on the back of the camp application form. This will assure your slot and payments can be made up till two weeks before we leave for camp. Henry County has 50 boy slots available and 50 girl slots. Once they are filled a waiting list will be started, so if you really want to go to camp get that form in as soon as possible!

3/12/08

National Study Proves 4-H Strengthens Henry County Communities

A new study confirms that youth involved in 4-H are leaders, contribute to their communities and are civically engaged, which strengthens communities. The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD) is finding that youth involved in high-quality, structured programs during out-of-school time, such as those offered by Henry County, are more likely to experience PYD.

Findings of The 4-H Study of PYD — a first-of-its-kind, longitudinal study measuring the impact personal and social factors have on youth as they develop — reveal that all youth have the capacity to thrive, regardless of where they live, their family situations, their socioeconomic status, their race or gender. Study findings also show that the quality and quantity of structured, out-of-school-time programs that youth are involved with matters. The more often youth are involved in high-quality youth development programs, the more they and their communities benefit.

“We’re excited about this research and will be applying what we learn to Henry County,” said Cathy Toole, 4-H Youth Development Agent. “We want to ensure that our 4-H program continues to provide opportunities that will help our youth become successful, contributing members of Henry County.”

The 4-H Study of PYD sponsored by National 4-H Council shows that in addition to sustained adult interaction and mentoring, communities, families and schools need to provide access to youth development programs such as 4-H in order for youth to experience success. Currently Henry County 4-H Project Clubs are available in the following areas: cooking, horse, shooting sports, photography, sewing, and small engine.

With The 4-H Study of PYD, the characteristics of a successful youth development program are being defined and measured for the first time. The study’s key findings show that:

• Community youth development programs, like 4-H, are proven to affect youth success.
• All youth can succeed — involvement in 4-H increases their potential of doing well.
• All youth need positive youth development. No young person is immune to the risks and challenges present in today’s society.
• Involvement in youth development programs reduces the likelihood that young people will engage in risk behaviors, such as underage drinking, smoking, bullying, etc.

Visit www.fourhcouncil.edu/newsroom.aspx to learn more about The 4-H Study of PYD.

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is the first-ever longitudinal study to measure the characteristics of positive youth development (PYD). Led by Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D., professor at Tufts University, the study was sponsored by National 4-H Council. It involves more than 4,000 youth and 2,000 parents from 25 states and measures the impact personal and social factors have on a young person’s development.

4-H is the Nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6.5 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. For more information, contact Cathy Toole at 845-2811.

12/5/07

Here are some things your might be interested in, remember to review the 4 H Notes Calendar below.

More 4H Links:  4HUSA.org