4-H Update

13, Number 7

Reminders

• March 28-April 2: National 4-H Conference, Washington DC
• April 1: State 4-H scholarship applications due
• April 14-16: CAE4-HA, Copper Mountain, CO

Operation: Military Kids and Denver Museum of Nature & Science Camp-in for Military Families

We would like to give a big THANKS to all those that helped get military families to our camp! The camp registration is full for both weekends ! Below are some of the details about the camp.  It promises to be a great experience for all those military families.

“Under a Middle Eastern Sky”

-  Dates: April 24-25, 2009 OR May 2-3, 2009, 5:30 p.m. to 11 a.m.
-  Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
-  Registration is open to any military service person’s school age children (Kindergarten-12th grade) who deployed within the past year or about to deploy within the next six months.
-  Camp will include hands-on workshops, a planetarium program showcasing the Colorado, Iraqi and Afghani skies and the “Grand Canyon” IMAX, access to museum exhibits, a visit to the Denver Zoo, a simple snack and kid-friendly breakfast.
-  Each overnight camp will facilitate 75 military family members; estimated at 25 parents/guardians and 50 school age (K-12) youth per camp.

Thanks again for your help in getting the word out about this great opportunity for our military families. We will be sure to let you know of any new and upcoming camps.  – Shauna Woods

Assets for Colorado Youth Update

Coming up soon…

Positive Youth Development and the Adolescent Brain
When: April 16, 2009
Time: 8:30-9am – Breakfast & Check In; 9-12pm – Training
Where: The Gardens at St. Elizabeth, 2835 West 32nd Avenue, Denver, CO

Activities That Work
When: May 14, 2009
Time: 8:30-9am – Breakfast & Check In; 9-12 pm – Training
Where: The Gardens at St. Elizabeth, 2835 West 32nd Avenue, Denver, CO

An Insider’s Guide to Youth Engagement
When: June 11, 2009
Time: 8:30-9am – Breakfast & Check In; 9-12 pm – Training
Where: The Gardens at St. Elizabeth, 2835 West 32nd Avenue, Denver, CO

All trainings are $40, which includes breakfast, training materials, and great resources

Contact Katherine Plog Martinez at katherine@buildassets.org or 303.832.1587 for registration information or with any questions. – Ellen Butler

Environmental Service Activities for 4-H clubs

4-H Million Trees
Led by the Belmont (California) 4-H Club, the 4-H Million Trees (4HMT) Project is a large-scale service-learning project with the goal to plant 1,000,000 trees across the United States by 2011 to beautify America, absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and combat global climate change.  In 2008, National 4-H Headquarters signed a partnership agreement with Arbor Day Foundation in support of this project. For further information please click on http://www.4hmilliontrees.org/ to learn how you can get involved.

National Soil Project at Northeastern University
Dr. Geoffrey Davies and a research team are working on a project to do soil analyses of agricultural topsoils from different parts of the U.S. 4-H clubs can help to collect samples that can be analyzed to give a much clearer assessment of the health of the Nation’s soils. 4-H members and families can help to contribute to this national soil research project. Below is the program announcement and contact information.

Be part of the National Soil Project at Northeastern University!

You can help the National Soil Research Project at Northeastern University, Boston, where students are measuring the humic (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) contents of the nation’s agricultural top soils. HA and FA are vital organic components of healthy soils. They retain water, act as pH buffers, improve soil texture/porosity and regulate many other soil functions. We’re concerned that our HAs and FAs are being destroyed over time, leading to poorer and poorer soils. Weak soils potentially can be re-built with HAs extracted from biomass and compost. To get a clear picture, HAs and FAs have to be analyzed apart from short-lived soil organic matter such as leaves and corn stover. The Northeastern University group has many years of experience in isolating and measuring HAs and FAs. Results to date on 150 samples indicate wide variation in soil HA and FA contents. We need to double or even triple the number of samples to be analyzed. We can do that with your help! Your job will be to collect and mail a one-pound, dry soil sample to Northeastern University for analysis. Your mailing cost will be paid back if you ask.

If you would like to participate, contact g.davies@neu.edu for complete information. The Northeastern University team will publish the results and share them with you and your family on request. Your part in this great project will be something to be truly proud of! – Ellen Butler

Announcing 2009 Family Strengthening Award Application Release

On behalf of the collaboration between National 4-H Council, National 4-H Headquarters, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, we are pleased to announce the 2009 4 H Families Count: Family Strengthening Awards.

These $15,000 awards will be presented to five outstanding 4-H youth development, CYFAR, Operation Military Kids, or Extension family science programs that demonstrate excellence in family strengthening in a youth development setting. To be considered, programs must complete the Programs of Distinction process through National 4-H Headquarters before applying (the program may have been approved in a previous year).

Application information is available at www.4-H.org at the Family Strengthening page http://4-h.org/d/Pages/Layouts/GroupPage4280.html?SiteId=3915&PersistentTheme=4H. Submissions are due by May 15. For any questions about the award or application process, please contact Aggie Wright at awright@fourhcouncil.edu or 301.961.2949. – Ellen Butler

Youth Can Be One in Millions on Global Youth Service Day

Next month, millions of young people will feed the homeless, clean up neighborhoods, tutor sick children, film public service announcements, save endangered animals and engage in a host of other activities as part of the 20th annual Global Youth Service Day, http://www.globalyouthserviceday.org/. The event which runs from April 24-26, is an opportunity to mobilize youth and start them on a path of lifelong community service.

With just five  weeks to go, it’s not too late for young people to get involved, says Brandon Gryde, a spokesperson for Youth Service America, http://www.ysa.org, which coordinates Global Youth Service Day. Although some youth embark on extensive projects that require months of planning, others take a more low-key approach. Ultimately, the project can be an hour of volunteering by one person, and that’s OK, Gryde says.

Youth Service America has lots of tips and online resources for young people who want to participate in Global Youth Service Day. Here’s a sampling of ways your youth can get involved:
.    Find nearby projects to join or brainstorm ideas.
.    Plan projects by downloading a planning toolkit.
.    Share projects by registering with Youth Service America, writing about planned activities on Facebook and other social networks and posting photos and videos on Flickr – http://www.globalyouthserviceday.org/share/flickr – and YouTube – http://www.globalyouthserviceday.org/share/youtube.
.    Request free posters.
.    Let the media know.
.    Invite public officials to participate.

Go to http://www.globalyouthserviceday.org to read all the details! – Ellen Butler