National Wildlife Judging
Congratulations to Bethany Lightfoot, Amy Jamison, Ashley Oglesby and Emily Reece, the Walton County 4-H Wildlife Judging Team that recently traveled to Wisconsin to represent Georgia in the National Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program and came home with a 2nd place finish! The team placed first in developing a wildlife management plan for a rural site.
On reasons, Amy Jamison had a perfect score, and Bethany Lightfoot had 9.75 out of 10. Coaches were Jim McCarthy, 4-H Volunteer and Glen Blair, Walton County 4-H Agent.

State Land Judging
Congratulations to the Coweta County Junior and Senior teams who both placed 1st, the Dade County Junior and Senior teams who both placed 2nd, and the Pike County Junior team who placed 3rd. Way to go!

DNR Recognizes Glynn County
The Glynn County Sea Monkeys, under Robi Gray's leadership, recently attended a special Georgia DNR Ceremony in Atlanta recognizing their work. A special resolution was read in their honor. Congrtulations Robi and the Sea Monkeys!

Work of Chatham County 4-H'er - Elizabeth West - Recognized
Elizabeth West, daughter of Trish West, was asked to make a presentation at the Governor's Litter Summit in Atlanta earlier this summer. Elizabeth's PowerPoint presentation was titled: "No Butts About It - Cigarette Butts are Litter Too!". Elizabeth has been very successful in addressing this issue in Chatham County for several years. She has received several grants.
Congratulations!

Inaugural Watermelon Contest
Congratulations to our winners in this first contest, sponsored by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Georgia Watermelon Association. We had twenty four
4-H'ers submit final weights. Many more planted seeds but a variety of problems prevented them from bearing fruit. The top three winners received the following amounts, and all participants received a t-shirt.

Whitfield County 4-H Receives Computers
Windstream Communications recently donated $3,000-worth of computer equipment to the Whitfield County 4-H as part of the company's ongoing commitment to helping the people and communities it serves “grow places.” The company provided four new desktop computers with 17-inch flat panel screens, as well as four printers, to the 4-H club. The donation was part of an overall commitment by Windstream to donate $100,000 to local 4-H clubs in towns visited as part of the company's “Green Truck Tour.” The tour, which featured the green vintage pickup truck used in Windstream commercials, traveled to 33 towns in 15 states, stopping at major fairs and festivals along the way. Windstream was formed July 17, 2006, through the spinoff of Alltel's landline business and merger with VALOR Communications Group, Inc. Congratulations to Kandi Edwards and Whitfield County 4-H!

MARKETING TIP

National 4-H Week
4-H week materials personalized for Georgia are now posted at: http://www.caes.uga.edu/news/kits/4hweek/index.html . The theme of these materials is “4-H Takes You There”.Thanks to Stephanie Schupska of the Office of Communications for her work on these materials.  Check out the great envelope stuffer for 4-H Week! Also the National 4-H week materials are posted at:   http://4hmediaresources.org/4HWeek_Kit.aspx . The national site includes a proclamation, newspaper ads, talking points, table tents, etc.  Contact Cheryl Varnadoe with questions at cv4h@uga.edu .  Please share your 4-H week promotional efforts with us when you have time. Best wishes for a great 4-H Week Celebration!

UPCOMING 4-H EVENTS AND EVENT REMINDERS

Georgia National Fair Reminder: from Kathy Baldwin, Bleckley County
We hope you are promoting the Georgia National Fair with your 4-H'ers.  The fair is very generous to Georgia 4-H and we appreciate the support they give to the program.  Don't forget that registration forms are due to the fair by Wednesday. September 20.  You may mail, fax, or email the entry forms.  Please feel free to contact me or any of the specific contest coordinators with questions you may have.

Essay Opportunities for Georgia 4-H'ers
Updated essay contests that Georgia 4-H'ers can enter can be found at http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/essaycontest/2006/EssayOpportunitiesforGeorgia4-H2006-2007.pdf

Exhibit Opportunity for Youth Summit
We are looking for posters or display boards that describe projects or programs that address problems in your communities. This is an excellent opportunity for your 4-H’ers to display their work to a statewide audience. If you have youth who are not in 4-H and have done a project and want to submit a display or poster, that is okay too. We are particularly looking for programs or project work that were developed and implemented by youth as a reaction to local issues. We hope to provide a lot of great examples of how youth can make a difference in their community. Youth do not have to attend to send a display. If you have something that a former 4-H’er did that fits the bill, that is fine too. These posters or tri-fold display boards will be displayed on the opening day of the Georgia Youth Summit at the Project Idea Fair and Delegate Social. Please note these projects should not be confused with the posters your Youth Summit delegations are putting together as part of their pre-conference work. This is something completely different. If you have a 4-H’er with a suitable project, you must email Rebecca Thomas in Gordon County at rbt@uga.edu. Please tell her the name of the project and the 4-H’er. You may bring the display with you and drop it by Hastings before you register. We will provide tables, but individual counties will need to bring their own easels. Thank you. Please note that we will accept posters or displays that were originally designed for other events, as long as they meet the criteria. For more information, contact Jeff Buckley.

Weekend in the Classic City
Tour UGA, Photos with Hairy Dawg, Miss UGA, and More! Weekend in the Classic City is scheduled for November 18-19, 2006 on campus at the University of Georgia !  Sponsored by Collegiate 4-H, we invite all Senior 4-Hers to attend this exciting event.  No matter where students are planning to attend college, WICC will be a weekend that encourages 4-Hers to explore “Life After High School.”  This year, we will focus workshops on: filling out a college application, adjusting to college life, and choosing the right college for you.  Collegiate 4-Hers from across the state will present information on their colleges during our college fair.  Registration will be $65.00 and is due by October 18th.  Please visit the UGA Collegiate 4-H WICC web site for more details: http://www.uga.edu/collegiate4h/web/WICC/ Updated registration materials are available on the Staff Only section of the Georgia 4-H web site under Collegiate 4-H, Weekend in the Classic City. For more information, contact Lauren Ledbetter .

Pumpkin Contest
Weights for the Pumpkin Contest are due October 1st . Please make sure that they are at the State 4-H Office on October 1 st , not in the mail. I recommend faxing the final forms, which are available online at: http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/nationalfair/pumpkincontest/forms/index.htm . Jeff Buckley has t-shirts to give away so please have your 4-H'ers submit a final weight, even if their pumpkins did not grow very large.

Junior Conference
4-H Junior Conference information and forms are now posted on the 4-H web page. http://www.georgia4h.org/staffonly/edops/jrconf/default.htm . Please Promote Junior Conference with your seventh and eighth grade 4-H'ers.  We are looking forward to a great weekend! Don't miss the early bird deadline! For more information contact Marilyn Poole.

Livestock Judging Clinic
The UGA Livestock Judging Clinic is scheduled for Saturday, October 21 st at the UGA Instructional Arena in Athens .  Tentative start time for the clinic is 9:00 am .  Clinic participants will have the opportunity to judge classes, class critique and have the opportunity to give reasons.  This clinic is open for youth and adults; participation is limited so get your enrollment form in soon to guarantee your spot. Participation fee for adults and students is set at $25 (which includes lunch and a student t-shirt). Please note that this is a home football game at UGA so hotels will be limited.  If you are interested in staying at Rock Eagle on Friday, you may contact Ms. Terri Camp at: tcamp@uga.edu or 706/484-2868. Please email Heather Shultz if you would like an enrollment form emailed to you. If you have specific questions in regards to the clinic, please contact Mr. Jary Douglas at:  706/583-8921 or jaryd@uga.edu .

Egg Preparation Demonstration Contest
The 2006 Georgia 4-H Egg Preparation Contest for Junior and Senior 4-H'ers will be held on Saturday, October at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. Entry information as well as contest details are available at http://www.georgia4h.org/staffonly/edops/nationalfair/eggprepdemo/default.htm. Entries are due at the State 4-H Office on October 1. Please contact Cheryl Varnadoe at cv4h@uga.edu for additional information.

Chicken Barbcue Contest
The 2004 Georgia 4-H Chicken Barbecue Contest for Senior 4-H'ers will be held on Sunday, October 10 at the Georgia National Fair. Entry forms and complete contest information are available at http://www.georgia4h.org/staffonly/edops/chickenq/default.htm .Entry forms are due to the State 4-H Office by October 1. Please contact Cheryl Varnadoe at cv4h@uga.edu with questions.

Cotton Boll and Consumer Jamboree
The class study materials for Cotton Boll and Consumer Jamboree are available now on the web. Visit http://www.georgia4h.org/staffonly/edops/judging/cbcj/2004StudyMaterials/default.htm . Specific information about the contests will be posted later in September. Please contact Cheryl Varnadoe at cv4h@uga.edu with any questions you may have. Good luck as you begin to prepare your teams for the contests this fall!

Georgia 4-H Foundation Holiday Card Contest
Encourage your 4-H'ers to design a holiday card for the Georgia 4-H Foundation, which will be sent to 4-H supporters. Top prize is $50! Information can be found on the following website: http://georgia4horg.caes.uga.edu/public/more/foundation/card/default.htm . Here are the rules: 1. All entries must be the student's original drawing on an 8.5 x 5.5 inch (or 5.5 x 8.5 inch) sheet of white, unlined paper. 2. All entries must be colorful so they can be reproduced on the holiday card if selected as the grand prize winner. 3. Each entry must be accompanied by an official entry form filled out by the 4-H'er and signed by the county 4-H agent. (Entry form on the Georgia 4-H Foundation website.) 4. All 4- H members (5th-12th grades) are eligible to participate. 5. Entries must be postmarked no later than October 13, 2006 and sent to Georgia 4-H Foundation; Attn: Holiday Card Contest; Hoke Smith Annex; Athens, GA 30602. 6. If any of the above rules are not followed, the entry will be automatically disqualified. Please contact Emily Schattler at 706-542-8914 if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving many outstanding entries!

Antenna Toppers
4-H Antenna Toppers Make Great Gifts!  Need inexpensive but effective gifts for your 4-H'ers, volunteers, teachers and sponsors for National 4-H Week?  4-H Antenna toppers make a great gift for teachers, volunteers and even 4-H'ers!  Only 50 Cents each!  Contact Judy Jackson at 706-542- 4444 to order yours today!

MilkMake Contest Update
We still have plenty of openings for the 2006 Georgia 4-H MilkMake Contest! For details, visit: http://www.georgia4h.org/staffonly/edops/milkmake/milkmake2006.pdf

New 4-H Leadership in Action Program
The new 4-H Leadership in Action program information is now online. The guidelines for the program can be found in the 4-H Activities and Awards Guidebook under special events. Additionally, a webpage with a handbook, more details and frequently asked questions is available in the Activities & Events Section of the guidebook. The direct link is: http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/Leadershipinaction/default.htm 4-H Leadership in Action is designed to recognize 4-H'ers for their work as leaders in their community. During a one year period (April 1-March 31) 4-H'ers consider an issue or need in their community and as a leader work to make others aware or to meet the need.  It is designed as a yearly recognition program for Junior and Senior 4-H'ers. For more information, contact Jenny Jordan.

Mounted Drill Team
Georgia 4-H and the Georgia Horse Council is excited to announce the second annual Georgia Horse Council Mounted Drill Team Competition which is scheduled for November 4th at the Covered Arena Horse Racing Facility, Hawkinsville. Please visit the following link to obtain additional information: http://www.georgia4h.org/public/edops/stateanimaled/horse/default.htm . At this link you will be able to download an information letter, Drill Team Entry Form, Drill Team Rules, Release Form and an example score sheet. Entry deadline is set for October 4th. No late entries will be accepted. If you have specific questions about the contest, please contact Mrs. Linda Heusner, Georgia Horse Council, Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at: 800/922-0145 or 770/922-3350.

Camp Counselor Applications “UP”
The revised Form A is up on the "Green Sheet" on the web. Let's really work to encourage our outstanding class of 2007, and those who may already be in college, to apply to work at our camps in 2007. Contact Charlie Wurst with questions, comments or concerns.

OPPORTUNITIES

Meth 101 Webcast
Register today for the "The Public Health's Role in the Methamphetamine Epidemic: Partnering to Confront the Issue" webcast September 26, 2:00-3:30 pm ET. A collaborative multi-disciplinary panel (including social services, law enforcement, education, public health and safety, and child and adolescent safety) will share what they have learned about raising awareness and protecting adolescents. They will focus on the roles of public health and safety professionals, and how they can effectively partner with others to create or join a task force or coalition to address this epidemic. Questions? Contact: Rebeca Sanchez-Barrett at rsanchez-barrett@hrsa.gov or (301) 443 3513. Register today at: http://www.mchcom.com/liveWebcastDetail.asp?leid=269

Lights on Afterschool! Is coming!!
This year, Lights on Afterschool will be held on October 12, and it looks to be greater then ever! LOA! is a wonderful opportunity for your after-school groups to inform the community about the needs for after-school programs and what you are doing to help meet that need! For more details, visit: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/lights_on/index.cfm?CFID=1106536&CFTOKEN=96664379

Guide Dog Puppies
Do you have 4-H'ers who might be interested in raising Guide Dog Puppies? Visit their web site at www.guidedog.org . Also contact Field Representative, Deana Izzo at buttondog3@netzero.net . "Puppy Walkers" receive a pup at about seven weeks of age and care for it until it is 11-16 months old. Puppies are specially bred Labrador and Golden Retrievers. Why not give this project a try?

Let's Just Play
Let's Just Play is Nickelodeon's long term, nationwide campaign to engage kids in active, healthy lifestyles. by giving them the resources, to get up, get out and go play! Register for the World Day of Play on September 30, 2006. http://www.nick.com/all_nick/everything_nick/ljp_home06.jhtml
Kids site: http://www.nick.com/myworld/letsjustplay/

Carve a 4-H Jack-O-Lantern This Halloween
4-H Jack-O-Lantern patterns are available for your pumpkin carving this Halloween. Four patterns are available. To download the patterns vist: http://cals.arizona.edu/mohave/4h/pumpkin.htm . To help you in pumpkin carving, you can use tools available at most grocery stores, or use your own. A good how to guide is available at www.pumpkinmasters.com .

Globe at Night
Globe at Night is an international science activity that encourages families to conduct a hands-on science activity to gather light pollution data where they live and contribute to a worldwide database. It is part of the Globe program that is sponsored by NASA, Dept. of State and NSF. It will happen on March 8-21, 2007. There are educator packets that include the educational standards for the activities, and family packets to help families to do the observations at home. They received 4,500 observations in 2006 from around the world. Here's where you can find more info: http://www.globe.gov/GaN/. You can learn about the activity, see what data was collected in 2006, and review the 2006 information packets. No special equipment or telescopes are needed, but you will need to be able to get your decimal latitude/longitude coordinates (using GPS, Google Earth, online geocoding Web sites) and Internet access to report your data. The activity relates well to scientific data collection, astronomy and GIS mapping. You can also expand it to talk about other countries and the effects of population density and distribution to light pollution. Youth/families also will be contributing to a data collection that can be used by scientists and others interested in studying light pollution. Now you'll have plenty of time to explore, share with your 4-H clubs and plan for how this activity might contribute to your 4-H programs.

Symbolic Monarch Migration
This fall, the 11th annual "Symbolic Monarch Butterfly Migration" is taking place across North America. Students in the United States and Canada are creating thousands of paper butterflies that will migrate to their counterparts in Mexico for the winter. Mexican students from the sanctuary region will greet the butterflies and watch over them during the winter months. At the same time in the mountains nearby, the entire eastern population of North American monarch butterflies will be resting in Mexico for the winter. Sometime next March, when the real monarchs' departure from Mexico is announced, the paper butterflies will return. Each butterfly will carry a special message from the Mexican students to the students in Canada and U. S. who made them. Postmark Deadline is October 13, 2006! Please visit Journey North for complete details.http://www.learner.org/jnorth/sm/index.html
This site also contains lesson plans and lots of fun activities about wildlife migration. http://www.learner.org/jnorth/index.html

New Water Conservation Campaign
Georgia is under a level one drought meaning that, now more than ever, we need to make special efforts to reduce the amount of water we use every day. The new Water Smart campaign is dedicated to showing citizens how to reduce water use, while saving money and time! An informative website, provides Georgia water and drought facts, educational links, and resources for use in the classroom.  Please visit  www.conservewatergeorgia.net to learn more.

Say Thanks to Soldiers
If you go to the website http://www.letssaythanks.com/ , you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You cannott pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

Project Plan-It
Do your 4-H'ers need help when planning their own service projects? Encourage them to use this great, free resource. http://www.ysa.org/planit/

Special Days
September
Baby Safety Month
National 5 A-Day for Better Health Month
National Food Safety Education Month
17-23 National Pollution Prevention Week
22 Make a Splash Day
30 Family Health & Fitness Day
30 National Public Lands Day
30 National Estuaries Day

October
Children's Health Month
National Energy Awareness Month
Rivers Alive Month
2 Child Health Day
3 World Habitat Day
4 International Walk to School Week and Day
5 World Teachers' Day
8-14 National Fire Prevention Week
8-14 Earth Science Week
8-14 National Radon Action Week
8-14 National Wildlife Refuge Week
15-21 Radon Action Week
16 World Food Day
18 World Water Monitoring Day
22-28 National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
28 Make a Difference Day

Name the "Litter. It Costs You" Mascot
Before he can get started in the fight against litter, the "Brown Trasher" needs a name. This fall the Litter. It Costs You campaign is asking children from Kindergarten through 5th grade to pitch in by giving their suggestions. The winning child and teacher/guardian will be invited to attend a special recognition ceremony with the anti-litter mascot, and will be featured on the Litter. It Costs You Web site. Contest entries must be postmarked by October 27, 2006. http://www.litteritcostsyou.org/mascot.aspx

America Recycles Day Contests
On November 15, 2006, Americans will celebrate America Recycles Day (ARD). Communities across America are celebrating ARD in ways that are meaningful to them through the common thread of resource conservation and environmental protection. The 2006 ARD contest categories are: 1) Grades K-4: An original color drawing; 2) Grades 5-8 or 9-12: An original bookmark; 3) Grades 5-8 or 9-12: An original 30 or 60 second public service spot on VHS, DVD, or CD format. (PowerPoint format also accepted.). Prizes include: DVD Recorders, $50 Staples Gift Certificate, $500 US Savings Bond. Submissions must be postmarked by November 15, 2006.
Entry Form and Details: http://eeingeorgia.org/content/ee/docs/ARDContest_06.pdf

RIF's Charlotte's Web Art Contest
Reading is Fundamental "invites kids ages 5-15 to create posters of characters, scenes, or other imagery from the Charlotte's Web book. With the support of HarperCollins, Walden Media, and Paramount Pictures, the contest offers exciting prizes for the winners in three age groups (5-8, 9-11, and 12-15). Get your paper, paints, markers or crayons out and get creative! All artwork is due November 10. http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/content/charlottesweb_contest.mspx

New Visions College Planning Guide
It’s never too early for a student to start thinking about what they are going to do after high school. The earlier they begin preparing for college and their dream career, the easier it will be for them to achieve their goals. A new college planning guide from Citigroup, News Corporation, and New Visions, a local education fund, include tips and tools for students and families to use in plotting their path toward a college education. This easy-to-read guide contains year-by-year checklists, timelines, myth debunkers, and other resources that can help inform and inspire families in navigating the college admissions and financial aid process. http://www.newvisions.org/teaching_learning/downloads/2006collegeguideweb.pdf

Support Unicef's School-In-a-Box Program
Parents have stocked up on paper, pencils and other essentials for a successful start to the school year. Did you know UNICEF stocks up on school supplies too? Education is key to child survival, and getting back to school after a disaster hits helps children feel safe. That's why UNICEF developed the School-in-a-Box. The concept is simple: school supplies are delivered to disaster sites in portable metal boxes so teachers can set up classrooms in a tent, under a tree -- almost anywhere -- until schools are rebuilt. Each School-in-a-Box, with materials for 80 children, costs $190. Your donation to this vital program can help bring hope and a sense of normalcy to millions of children worldwide. http://www.unicefusa.org/site/c.duLRI8O0H/b.2043841/k.8924/Schoolinabox.htm?sid=58506127

12th Annual Search Under Way for Nation's Top Youth Volunteers
Recognition Program Honors Outstanding Middle and High School Youth at Local, State and National Levels
Over the past 11 years, Prudential Spirit of Community Awards have been given to more than 70,000 middle and high school students across the country for helping the less fortunate, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and serving their communities through many other volunteer activities. This week the search begins to identify thousands more who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months, as the prestigious awards program kicks off its 12th year. These awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honor outstanding community service by young people in 5th through 12th grades at the local, state and national level. “A surprising number of young people today are getting involved in serving their communities, but they're not always recognized for the great things they are doing,” said Prudential Chairman Art Ryan. “We want to tell them in the strongest possible terms how important their volunteer work is, and how proud we are of their accomplishments.” Application forms for The 2007 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards will be available over the next two months through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H agents, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs, and member Volunteer Centers of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. They also may be obtained at www.prudential.com/spirit or www.principals.org/prudential , or by calling toll-free 888-450-9961. Students must submit completed applications by October 31, 2006. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represent the United States' largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service. The Spirit of Community Awards program also is conducted by Prudential subsidiaries in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and is being introduced this year in Ireland.

EarthWatch Institute seeks Adventurous Teens
Show of Force, a New York-based television production company, in association with The Earthwatch Institute, is seeking American teenagers interested in the environment for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Three youth, aged 16-18, are being cast to travel the world to investigate the state of the environment, from rainforests to glaciers to deserts to coral reefs. Their global expedition will be documented in a television series and on the Web. Interested participants MUST be able to go on the expedition between January and July 2007 -- meaning they will have to take off a semester from school. For more information, including application instructions, go to www.earthwatch.org/ecoteam .

Celebrate National Family Week
National Family Week firmly believes that strong families are at the center of strong communities. Everyone has a role to play in making families successful, including neighborhood organizations, businesses, nonprofits, policymakers, and families themselves. This year’s National Family Week will be from November 19-26, 2006. Get involved. Visit www.nationalfamilyweek.org for more information.

New Software Lets Families Track Health Information on Their Computer
Philadelphia's Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is making its health tracking software, called Personal Health Manager, available for free to anyone. The software allows families to monitor their health information on their home computer. Although the software can track details of serious illnesses, it can also be useful in keeping up with children's shot records, or monitoring asthma or allergies. In addition to offering conveniences like a calendar that can send reminders of upcoming doctor visits, the software could be vitally important in the event that paper-based records are lost during an emergency. Monica Doyle, director of interactive marketing at the hospital, says “With this tool, you can keep track of the whole family's information.... Our idea was to empower patients to take control of their own health." To obtain a free copy of the software, visit www.jeffersonhospital.org .

CURRICULUM

Solid Waste Education Resources
Check out this collection of currently available solid waste education curricula, websites, lesson plans, and other resources. Unless noted otherwise, they are downloadable and/or available for free. http://eeingeorgia.org/net/content/item.aspx?s=36711.0.68.4863

Say Y.E.S. To Youth: Youth Engagement Strategies
The purpose of this youth engagement resource packet / curriculum is to provide research-based information on youth engagement to youth development practitioners who plan to involve young people, as partners, on community teams. The objectives for the resource packet are two-fold: (1) to inform practitioners of the team characteristics and practices, as identified through the literature review, that foster youth engagement on community teams; and (2) to facilitate group discussions among team members regarding the steps towards initiating, sustaining, and evaluating youth engagement efforts. This resource packet breaks down the process of engaging young people on community teams into manageable steps that youth practitioners can implant at their own pace. It includes sections to (1) asses the team's readiness to involve young people; (2) select young people for team member positions; (3) support and maintain youth engagement over time; and (4) evaluate youth engagement efforts on the team. Each section contains an overall objective(s), recommended steps to meet the objective(s), and a team activity with discussion questions. As a result of using the resource packet youth practitioners will have a better understanding of the team characteristics that support youth engagement and will know the steps to take to achieve successful youth engagement within their own teams. http://agexted.cas.psu.edu/cyfar/Resources.htm

Youth Radio Releases New Curriculum Resouce
Youth Radio, an award-winning producer of youth voices, has released a new curriculum resource called the Fourth R, which adds radio to our traditional line-up of reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic. Each month, the Fourth R provides free, online lesson plan suggestions and standards alignment linked to a radio story written and produced by youth. The content applies to a range of school subject areas, including English, social studies, and health classes. Teachers using the Fourth R will be invited to submit their students' stories through the Youth Radio's website, making the project an exciting way to connect students to real audiences and publishing opportunities.
http://www.youthradio.org/fourthr

Learn to Be Healthy
LearntobeHealthy.org is an online health science learning site designed to help educators communicate important health concepts to children K-6. The site  contains comprehensive lesson plans, interactive games and activities,  webquests  and more. The goal of the site is to inspire children - and their families - to  make healthy choices that will last a lifetime. http://www.learntobehealthy.org/

Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active
A new after-school program helps kids interpret the numerous messages they receive every day to make healthier choices about food and physical activity. The materials, available free on the Web, were developed by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active"! is designed to help young people ages 11 to 13 become aware of how media may influence the choices they make. The program's fun, hands-on, interactive activities teach critical thinking skills that will help young people make smart decisions about what they eat and how they spend their time. The "Media-Smart Youth" curriculum, available at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/msy, consists of 10 lessons and a major project that help young people acquire knowledge and skills in four key areas. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/msy/

Young Digital Creators Educator's Kit
The YDC Educator's Kit is designed to help teachers and educators working in schools, youth clubs, community centres, and training institutes to generate and manage project-based learning activities with young people. http://www.unesco.org/culture/en/digiarts/ydc/kit

Classroom Activities to Teach Engineering
'TeachEngineering' provides more than 500 lessons and activities for teaching engineering content in K-12 science and math classes. Topics include oil and energy consumption, water and electricity, mass and volume, various energy sources, heat transfer, solar heating systems, collisions and momentum, electrons, cellular respiration, biomedical engineering, and more. Lessons connect real-world experiences with concepts and skills already taught in K-12 classrooms. http://www.teachengineering.org

Planet H2O
Visit the Planet H2O website, created to supplement the Planet H20 television special. Planet H2O explores water technology, water hot-spots, and careers involving water. View video clips from the Planet H2O TV special plus download lesson plans for K-12, teaching guides, and environmental activities to use in the classroom. http://www.thirteen.org/h2o/index.html

GRANTS / AWARDS

GOOD NEIGHBOR $1,000 SERVICE-LEARNING GRANTS ~ Apply by Oct. 16
Grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to young people ages 5-25, teachers, and service-learning coordinators to implement service-learning projects for National Youth Service Day in April 2007. http://www.ysa.org/awards/award_grant.cfm

YOUTH GARDEN $500 GRANTS ~ Apply by Nov. 1 
Youth Garden Grants include a $500 gift card from The Home Depot and educational resources from the National Gardening Association.  Application deadline is November 1, 2006.
http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp#ygg

Youth Leaders for Literacy to Awards Grants for Student-Led Projects
"Youth Leaders for Literacy is an initiative of the National Education Association and Youth Service America to help youth direct their enthusiasm and creativity into reading-related service projects. Grant applications should propose youth leadership in developing and implementing a literacy project that begins on NEA's Read Across America Day, March 2, 2007, and culminates on YSA's National Youth Service Days, April 20-22. The National Education Association will award twenty grants of $500 each to support student-led initiatives."
Deadline: November 24, 2006 http://www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/

Pay It Forward Mini-Grants
Pay It Forward Mini-Grants are designed to fund one-time-only service-oriented projects identified by youth as activities they would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood, or greater community. Projects must contain a "pay it forward" focus - that is, they must be based on the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially - to be considered in the grant making process. Grants of up to $500. Deadline: October 15, 2006. http://payitforwardfoundation.org/educators/grant.html

2006 Southern Region Sustainable Community Innovation Grants Announced
The new round of Sustainable Community Innovation Grants have just been announced. A partnership of the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, the Southern Rural Development Center and the Appalachian Regional Commission, the deadline date for submissions is November 28, 2006. The grant information is available at
http://www.southernsare.uga.edu/currentcalls/sci.doc.

Angels in Action Awards
Georgia-Pacific's Angels in Action Awards Program will recognize children who are involved in exemplary community service projects in age categories 8-15 years old and 16-18 years old. One outstanding awardee will receive $15,000 for "Program of the Year." Two grand-prize winners (one from each age category) will receive $10,000, and ten finalists (five from each age category) will receive $1,000. Deadline: October 1. http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/599365

President's Environmental Youth Awards Deadline Extended
President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) recognizes young people across America for projects that demonstrate their commitment to the environment. K-12 students sponsored by an adult submit evidence of a completed project as defined in the application to their local EPA regional office. Deadline:  October 31. http://epa.gov/enviroed/awards.html

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

KIDSCOUNT
The new Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book is available now. The major news is that three out of 10 child well-being indicators have worsened since 2000, and child poverty continues to rise: more than 13 million children were living in poverty in 2004 (1 million more than in 2000). The Data Book essay focuses on early childhood care and development programs – including the use of “family, friend, and neighbor care,” and recommendations to improve it. The interactive site allows you to filter the findings by topic area, state, and more. http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=vp4guwbab.0.ahtguwbab.zq7yy9n6.7769&ts=S0184&p=http%3A//www.aecf.org/kidscount/sld/databook.jsp

KIDS COUNT Trends in Overweight and Obesity
A new KIDS COUNT data snapshot from the Annie E. Casey Foundation identifies state-by-state rates of overweight and obesity among youth according to demographics like gender, race, income and geography. The states with the highest rates of obesity also exhibit high rates of childhood poverty and poor child well-being.
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=8ctrztbab.0.sq6uztbab.zq7yy9n6.7769&p=http%3A//www.aecf.org/kidscount/sld/snapshot.jsp

Spring 2006 Issue of The Future of Children, Titled Childhood Obesity
This publication lays out the evidence related to the multiple causes, consequences, and methods of dealing with childhood obesity. Topics include trends, potential causes, and consequences of childhood overweight and obesity; economics and childhood obesity policy; the role of built environments in physical activity, eating, and obesity in childhood; the role of schools and child care settings in obesity prevention; targeting interventions for ethnic minority and low-income populations; and treating childhood obesity and associated medical conditions. The e-journal is available at http://www.futureofchildren.org/pubs-info2825/pubs-info_show.htm?doc_id=349724

Research Shows Online Health Content Can Improve Children's Health and Safety
A study published last week in Pediatrics finds that children's health can be improved through access to high-quality, customized, Web-based health information. In the study, carried out by the Seattle Children's Hospital, parents of children younger than 11 years old were given access to tailored online content on various topics related to children's health and safety. After reviewing the content, parents took their child for a check-up with their physician. Research found that parents who had reviewed the online material were more likely to discuss these topics with the doctor and to implement preventative health measures than those who had not. Dr. Dmitri Christakis, lead researcher in the study and a pediatrician, said "The significance of the research is that for the first time we know that accurate, online health information can actually make children healthier and safer."
http://www.techweb.com/showPressRelease.jhtml?articleID=X521087

Up to Date on Middle Schoolers
Today, middle schoolers are so consumed socially and sexually that they think of little else. In fact, science has confirmed that as kids go through puberty, their synapses are going crazy. Math and science logic (especially for girls) shuts down, and there is actually some truth to the fact that many teachers say middle schoolers don’t think! Until recently, sex didn’t really exist in the mind of the 6th grader. Now they’re taught Sex Ed in 5th & 6th grade. On the social front, today’s middle schoolers are meaner and nastier. By 5th grade they know who the popular kids are. While they might differ as individuals, as a group they have no compassion. By 7th grade, the cliques are huge and brutal. As a result, educators now have to work just as hard teaching social skills and trying to assuage problems as they do academics. When it comes to media, today’s middle schoolers are exposed to so much media that they now know a lot more about stuff in general. They are flooded with news on sex, drugs, murders, terrorism, etc. It’s on their home page. It’s in the R-rated movies their parents rent. It’s on Primetime Cable. It’s being incorporated into some of the toys they’re playing with. ( Bratz dolls are a big contributor here.) The Internet is now so much a part of everyday life that every text book they use has a Web site.Lastly, these years are unpleasant for today’s kids. They see themselves as small in a very big world. They have no control over their bodies, and their bodies are changing on them very, very quickly. It is the largest developmental time in their lives! (Source: Wonder Group)

Handle With Care
Most children and adolescents want to be good, but they find it very difficult. There are many competing pressures on them, and they often feel that they must choose between loyalty to friends and "doing what is right," as dictated by parents and teachers. Children need opportunities to talk with sympathetic adults who can help them to understand that they are not alone in their ethical confusion and that they are not the only ones who sometimes fall short of their own ethical ideal. The latest issue of Greater Good magazine features several essays on the topic of "everyday ethics," including an essay by Nel Noddings about how to teach children to make ethical decisions in their daily lives. To deal with everyday ethical problems, argues Noddings, kids need more than just a simple list of rules or virtues. They need chances to talk through their problems with caring and engaged adults. Her essay can be found at: http://news.publiceducation.org/t/5780/99332/168/0/

Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
Every year, 500,000 children are sexually abused in American homes and communities, meaning 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18, according to Stop It Now!, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent the perpetration of child sexual abuse. Stop It Now! recently created a booklet, Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Facts About Those Who Might Commit It to help parents, teachers, and others spot and report child sexual abuse. The eight-page publication contains definitions of sexual abuse and explains the process of community notification, as well as safety plans every family should develop to protect children. Several checklists are also contained in the booklet to help adults detect abuse, including: a list of touching and nontouching behaviors that constitute sexual abuse; behavioral and physical warning signs that a child may have been sexually abused;healthy sexual behaviors in children;signs to watch for when adults are around children; and warning signs for an adult with sexual behavior problems.
http://www.stopitnow.org/downloads/Prevent_CSA.pdf

Child Poverty in Rural America: New Data Shows Increases in 41 States
http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/documents/rural_child_poverty_fact_sheet.pdf

Study: Younger Students Suffer More Bullying
More than half of the 32,000 urban students surveyed say they've witnessed bullying at least once a month, while nearly 40% don't believe that teachers and schools can stop the harassment, reports a Council of Urban Boards of Education study. The CUBE study also found that younger students reported the most bullying. http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2430140&page=1

Fewer High School Students Engage in Health Risk Behaviors; Racial and Ethnic Differences Persist
Fewer U.S. high school students are engaging in health risk behaviors compared to their counterparts from 15 years ago, according to the 2005 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), released recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Despite an overall decrease in health risk behaviors among high school students since 1991, racial and ethnic differences continue to be evident. Two highlights of the survey involved seat belt use and alcohol use.   High school students appear to be getting the message to “buckle up.”  The 2005 National YRBS found only 10 percent of high school students said they rarely or never wore a seat belt when riding in a car, a dramatic decline from the 18 percent in 2003 and 26 percent in 1991.  The percentage of students who report current alcohol use has also declined dramatically (43 percent in 2005 vs. 51 percent in 1991) since the first YRBS survey. Other improvements seen during the past 15 years include a decline in the percentage of high school students reporting ever having sexual intercourse.  In 2005, 47 percent of students said they had ever had sexual intercourse, roughly the same as in the 2003 National YRBS, but down from 54 percent reporting ever having sexual intercourse in the National YRBS survey in 1991.  In addition, 63 percent of sexually active students reported that they or their partner had used a condom during last sexual intercourse (same as the 2003 National YRBS), compared to 46 percent in 1991. “The overall survey results are encouraging because they show us that persistent efforts to get young people to adopt healthier behaviors can achieve positive results,” said Howell Wechsler, Ed.D, MPH, director of CDC's division of adolescent and school health.   “However, the results also illustrate some of the challenges.  One, it does take persistence to achieve results.  And two, despite the overall improvements in health behaviors of teens, racial and ethnic differences continue to exist.” Compared with white and Hispanic high school students, black high school students are least likely to use tobacco, alcohol, cocaine and other drugs, but most likely to report sexual risk behaviors and sedentary behaviors such as watching television three or more hours per day.  White students are less likely than black or Hispanic high school students to report physical fighting, sexual risk behaviors and being overweight, but more likely to engage in frequent cigarette smoking and episodic heavy drinking.  Hispanic students are more likely than black or white students to report attempted suicide and the use of drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines.  “The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are complex.  More research is needed to assess the impact of education, socio-economic status, environment, and cultural factors that may contribute to health risk behaviors among high school students,” Wechsler added. National, state and local YRBS's are conducted every two years among high school students throughout the United States .  These surveys monitor health risk behaviors that lead to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco, alcohol and other drug use; and sexual behaviors that can lead to unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.  The surveys also measure high school students' dietary behaviors and physical inactivity that can contribute to overweight. Nearly 14,000 U.S. high school students participated in the 2005 National YRBS.  Data are presented only for black, Hispanic and white students because the sample size of students from other racial/ethnic populations was too small for a meaningful analysis.  Parental permission was obtained for students to participate in the survey.  Student participation was voluntary, and responses were anonymous.  States and cities could modify the questionnaire to meet their needs.  The 2005 report includes national data as well as data from surveys conducted in 40 states and 21 large urban school districts. The National YRBS is one of three HHS -sponsored surveys that provide data on substance abuse among youth.  The others are the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and a primary source of statistics on substance use among Americans age 12 and over ( www.oas.samhsa.gov/nhsda.htm ), and the Monitoring the Future ( MTF ) Study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research ( http://monitoringthefuture.org ).   MTF tracks substance use among students in the 8 th , 10 th and 12 th grades. The 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data are available at www.cdc.gov/yrbs .

Study: Almost 20% of nation's 3-year-olds obese
New research published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine recommends efforts to curb child obesity begin as early as before birth. The national study of 3-year-olds found that nearly one in five is obese, with Hispanic children far heavier than white or black peers. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3940614.html

Study Urges Cutback in Soda Consumption
The role of soda in America's bulging waistline has been hotly debated, but a new analysis says that it has been an increasing source of calories for children and adults, a trend that likely has led to weight gain and obesity. While providing little nutrition, soda most likely has increased the risk of diabetes, fractures and cavities, according to a review article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The typical 12-ounce soda has 150 calories and the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar, mostly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. Drinking one soda a day can lead to a one-year weight gain of 15 pounds. The review also questions the role of high-fructose corn syrup, which is used to sweeten soft drinks in the United States, while sucrose is used in Europe. It may increase the risk for diabetes. Although the two sweeteners contain the same amount of calories, chemical differences have led some to theorize that fructose may cause greater weight gain and insulin resi! stance by elevating triglycerides. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=481861

Sleeping Like a Baby? Most Kids Have Sleep Problems
Nearly 70% of kids experience one or more sleep problems several nights a week, according to a recent National Sleep Foundation survey . The culprits aren't just bogeymen under the bed. Too much TV and caffeinated beverages -- among other factors -- may be to blame.  Dissing the Sandman to spend time with SpongeBob and Red Bull may appeal to kids, but sleep deprivation can impair quality of life -- and harm health. Not only can grades suffer and behavioral problems arise, sleeplessness can rob your child of the energy needed for physical activity, while meddling with metabolism and hormone levels in ways that can lead to weight problems. Once the pounds start piling on, obesity/poor sleep can become a vicious cycle, especially as children mature. Sleep apnea -- interference with nighttime breathing -- is more prevalent among the obese, interrupting sleep while making it easier to overeat and gain weight.

Diplomas Count: Guide to Graduation Policy and Rates
About 30 percent of the Class of 2006 failed to graduate from our public schools this summer. A new report from Education Week underscores what many researchers and advocates are saying: that we're in the midst of a drop-out crisis, where too many young people are disconnected from school and lack the skills to succeed in today's economy. This guide examines the most recent state data (2002-03 school year) and finds deep gaps along racial/ethnic and gender lines, and wide variation in graduation rates across and even within states. Particularly notable about this guide is that it includes interactive databases of state graduation rates and policies, and a mapping tool to let you view, filter, and create reports data by school districts. Overall, New Jersey had the highest graduation rate (84.5 percent); South Carolina had the lowest (52.5 percent).
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=n4pqpwbab.0.dkqrpwbab.zq7yy9n6.7769&ts=S0184&p=http%3A//www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2006/06/22/index.html

Pain Killers and the Under-12 Set
Increasingly, the drugs of choice among young abusers may not be illegal substances like pot—instead, prescription painkillers and other pharmaceuticals may be gaining popularity among people as young as 12 years old. That's the word from a new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report. The report notes that overall drug use by young people continues to decline. http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/pain/pain.cfm

Study: Violent TV Linked to Children's Social Life
For every hour of violent TV they watched -- particularly if they watched the shows alone -- children ages 6 to 12 spent less time with friends than did peers who viewed nonviolent shows, finds a new study in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. Although researchers didn't find a cause-and-effect link, they suspect violent shows teach aggressive behaviors that could isolate children from others.   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/10/AR2006041001308.html

Text messaging linked to better spelling
The more children used their mobile phones for text messaging -- even if those messages were full of slang and truncated spellings -- the better their traditional spelling and writing skills were, according to research from Coventry University. Researchers want to study whether texting can help struggling children boost their phonetic awareness and language skills.
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1869915,00.html?gusrc=ticker-103704

Study: Costs of dropping out highest in U.S.
Adults who drop out of high school in other parts of the world typically earn about 80% of what high school diploma-holders earns, but in the U.S. dropouts earn only 65%, reports the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. Yet the groups also found the disparity between what college graduates earn, compared with those who completed high school, is much greater in the U.S. than in other parts of the world. http://dwb.newsobserver.com/24hour/politics/story/3370787p-12403326c.html

Today's youth eager to do good in the world
International volunteerism is surging, as high school and college students shun backpacking through Europe and sunbathing at the beach, to instead complete charitable stints in developing nations. One nonprofit agency that coordinates overseas volunteer vacations says students often find the trips to be life-changing experiences. http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/14954960.htm

Adolescent Boys and Health
Despite the fact that adolescence is commonly a period of robust health, teen boys have particularly low rates of primary care use. As a result, many teen boys do not form the effective patterns of behavior that will guarantee them a healthy future. Using data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, the National Campaign's latest Science Says issue brief titled Adolescent Boys' Use of Health Servicesexplores this issue. http://www.teenpregnancy.org/works/pdf/Science_Says_26_boys_health.pdf

Data Highlight Racial Divide in Internet Use Among U.S. Students
New data released by the National Center for Education Statistics show a "racial divide" among students' use of the Internet. The statistics, which are based on a national household survey conducted in 2003, show that 67 percent of white students use the Internet, while only 47 percent of black students and 44 percent of Hispanic students do. Because almost all U.S. schools have Internet access, the disparity between white and minority students' online access is diminished during the school day. However, the data show that while 54 percent of white students go online at home, only 27 percent of black students and 26 percent of Hispanic students have home access. Mark Lloyd, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, notes that this lack of access "creates incredible barriers for minorities....It doesn't prepare them for a world in which they're going to be expected to know how to do these things." http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/DN-digitaldog_10nat.ART.State.Bulldog.3e28777.html

Carsey Institute Study Finds Higher Percentage of Rural Children Live in Poverty than Five Years Ago
A study by the Carsey Institute, based on just released U.S. Census Bureau data, found that in forty-one states, a higher percentage of rural children live in poverty than did in 2000.
While the national poverty level was relatively stagnant compared to last year’s poverty level, the situation is clearly becoming worse for rural kids. To read more, access the fact sheet on the Institute's website at http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu/documents/rural_child_poverty_fact_sheet.pdf.

New Study of After-School Program Participation and Child Obesity
(published in the journal Applied Developmental Science)
This longitudinal study assessed the role of after-school program (ASP) participation in the development of child obesity and peer acceptance in a sample of 439 children. Most participants lived in poverty and were Hispanic or African American. Measurements of height and weight determined obesity status and peer acceptance was assessed through teacher- and peer-responses to written surveys. Rates of obesity were 22% at baseline ( M age = 4.9) and 29% at follow-up ( M age = 8.1). Peer acceptance was significantly lower for obese children than nonobese children. Children who became involved in ASPs were significantly less likely to be obese at follow-up than nonparticipants. Both obese and nonobese ASP participants showed significant increases in peer acceptance over time. The full article can be downloaded from my lab page: http://pantheon.yale.edu/~jlm79/

Study: Offering more veggies doesn't boost consumption
Offering more fruits and vegetables in school prompted older children to eat more fruit, but not more vegetables, and actually made fifth-graders less willing to eat both kinds of produce, according to a government study of five Mississippi schools. One University of North Carolina nutrition professor says presenting food creatively is the secret to getting children to eat their veggies. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15462971.htm

Community-Based Learning: Engaging Students for Success and Citizenship
The Coalition for Community Schools releases new paper, 'Community-based Learning: Engaging Students for Success and Citizenship'... Students are bored. Research shows that as many as 60% of all students are disengaged from learning. A new study funded by the Gates Foundation, highlights disengagement as a key factor in the dropout rate. Community-based learning addresses the problems of boredom and disengagement by involving students in real-world problem-solving that is relevant and meaningful.
http://www.communityschools.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=49

Cell Phones Serve as Personal Computers for Youth and Minorities
Young people and minorities are more likely to use their cell phones as personal computers, according to a recent survey conducted by the Associated Press, AOL, and the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Almost two thirds of people ages 18 to 29 use their cell phones to send text messages, and members of this group are twice as likely as cell phone users overall to use text or Internet connection features on their phones. The enthusiasm for text and Internet features on phones was particularly high among minorities, especially Hispanjcs. “We think of them as mobile phones, but the personal computer, mobile phone, and the Internet are merging into some new medium like the personal computer in the 1980s or the Internet in the 1990s,” said Howard Rheinhold, an author who has taught at Stanford University and written extensively about the effects of technology. http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStory.cfm?ArticleID=6228

America's Youth at 18: School Enrollment and Employment Transitions Between Ages 17 and 18
At age 18, notable differences in the school enrollment status of men and women are apparent. Eighteen-year-old men are less likely to be enrolled in college than 18-year-old women and are more likely to either have dropped out of high school or still be enrolled in high school. Moreover, men who are enrolled in high school during the October when they are age 17 are more likely than their female counterparts to have dropped out by the following October. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/nlsyth.pdf

Teen Perspectives on After-School Programs
What factors influence teen participation in after-school programs? Chapin Hall researchers interviewed 10th graders to gather their perspectives on out-of-school opportunities and how to improve such programs through outreach and access. Read the full report, Negotiating Among Opportunity and Constraint: The Participation of Young People in Out-of-School-Time Activities , by Robert Chaskin and Stephen Baker.

Study Provides Insight on Motivating Young People to Volunteer
MTV released the results of 'Just Cause,' a research study that deconstructs how youth perceive 'activism' and explores the motivating factors and barriers in their decision to become involved in social causes. The study includes more than 1200 young people, including expert interviews, ethnographies and a national poll of a representative sample with participants ages 12 to 24. http://research.mtv.com

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

Health Quiz and Games for Kids
http://www.smallstep.gov/kids/index.cfm
This quiz helps call attention to basic nutrition and exercise information for kids. Just five multiple choice questions with funny choices to get you started talking about nutrition. Click "Smallstep Challenge" to take the quiz. Then click the "Games and Activities" button to play the games. "My Pyramid Blastoff" is tedious but educational - you have to load up your space ship with a day's worth of healthy food. Much more fun and less educational is Taz's Munch and Crunch - you use your arrow keys to play a Pac-Man-style game, where eating grapes gets you 50 points, but eat the cake and you lose 100 points.

Resources For Developing Messages About Physical Activity
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) VERB campaign has published a set of reports that present recurrent themes and recommendations for developing successful messages about physical activity. The reports are based on three years of concept and message testing among tweens (children 9-13) and parents in four ethnic groups, as well as the general market. These reports can be found at. The new reports are in addition to previous summary reports on exploratory research that were posted several years ago. To view the reports go to: http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign/research/Concept

Children Learn Financial Lessons Through the Web
The Web includes numerous resources aimed at helping parents teach their children about managing money. These sites, which combine fun with an educational message, target children ranging in age from preschoolers to college students. Many sites are available in Spanish, and some feature interactive games, videos, and more. Here are a couple that are well worth checking out: www.umsl.edu/ ~wpockets - One of the premier Web sites endorsed by educators, Wise Pockets was created by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and is geared to elementary-school age children. Characters such as Money Mouse and Arlo the dog guide children through stories that teach financial lessons, such as being a responsible borrower. After each story, children take a short quiz on money concepts; www.moneywiseteen.org - This site, developed by the California Council on Economic Education, was created to help high school students learn about basic economics, such as wants and needs and delayed gratification. The 10 vignettes begin with the fact that "you can't have everything you want," and move through budgeting, buying a car, having a baby, and preparing for the world of work. The last two sections explore the difficulties faced by Mexican immigrants in the U.S., and ways they can address those issues, said R. Jim Charkins, executive director of the California council. There's also a section on financial aid for college. Another feature: calculators that provide number-crunching information on topics such as credit, saving, budgeting and major purchases.

It's My Life
It's My Life is geared to 9-12 year olds dealing with life issues. Youth can read informative articles, share their stories through a monitored online journal, play games and activities, take quizzes and polls, watch video clips of other kids talking about their feelings and experiences, get advice from older kids and experts, and contribute their own comments and questions. http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/

New Web Site Encourages Teen Entrepreneurship
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in partnership with Junior Achievement, has launched Mind Your Own Business—a new Web site aimed at young entrepreneurs. The site is designed to support young people who are interested in starting, running, or growing their own business. The site features a variety of resources, like instructions on how to write a business plan, guidance on understanding legal issues, and information about the importance of mentors. In addition, the site includes guides for student activities that can be used in a classroom or after-school setting. http://www.mindyourownbiz.org/default.shtml

Free Web Sites Offer Useful Resources for Students
In an effort to direct students to high-quality and relevant online resources, the Los Angeles Times has developed a select list of Web sites intended to be of use to students. The list includes links that focus on a range of academic topics, like biology, literature, and mathematics, and all feature free, top-quality content from reputable sources. The list also includes general reference sites, like the Internet Public Library, as well as plain-language search engines and language translators.
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-technopolis24aug24,1,3285096.column?track=rss

Guide to Social Change Led By and With Young People
"The Freechild Project announces the availability of a new publication focusing on youth action. The 'Guide to Social Change Led By and With Young People' provides a brief introduction to the issues and actions addressed by children and youth around the world as they lead community action. The Guide also includes an introduction to Freechild's unique Cycle of Youth Engagement, as well as a resource directory." http://www.commonaction.org/SocialChangeGuide.pdf

Young People Step Up to Keep America Strong - Stories of Everyday Young Heroes
The Help-U Organization, founded two years ago by Chiara Arcida, now 17, has a mission of motivating youth to become more involved in community service. HELP-U.ORG is a student-run charitable organization dedicated to environmental and humanitarian causes. All members and advisors are volunteers. Funds are raised through donations and the selling of apparel. 100% of profits are donated to various charities, so the organization relies entirely on donations, as everything they make is given away. Recently they've started a new initiative called the "Help Club" program which will be implemented at a variety of middle schools. Their philosophy is that once involved in service, people not only tend to stay involved but get even more involved. The idea is to "catch students while they're young, hopefully setting them up for a lifetime of volunteerism. As Chiara says, "my parents had me on walks for hunger at the age of 2." Help-U is committed to engaging their peers in service while raising awareness and support for various causes. To learn more about Help-U, Help Clubs, and to view the Help-U apparel collection, visit: www.help-u.org.

Teaching Moments
Everyone has an inner voice and hears positive or negative self-talk. Your self-talk might remind you to watch out for cars when crossing the street, or it might remind you to be careful when doing something new. Or your inner voice could be saying that you are a winner and that you will have a good day. There is one important thing to remember about your inner voice: You control the on/off switch. Nobody else can control it. Find out more about self-talk and other available tips at www.TeachingMoments.com .

Middle-Schoolers Design Web Site with Career Resources
Three hundred middle school students from all over the country worked closely with developers to design a Web site called Funworks that links the interests and hobbies of young people, ages 11 to 15, to future careers. The site, created by the Gender, Diversity, and Technology Institute at Education Development Center, features information about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, as well as games, quizzes, and more. In addition, Funworks provides educational resources for guidance counselors, teachers, media specialists, and parents. http://www.thefunworks.org/

Bug Mugs
http://education.denniskunkel.com/Wanted-Mugs-Index.php
Bug Mugs has "rap sheets" on twelve common insects and a magnified picture of each. On the same site, you can "zoom in" on microscope photos of three insects and inspect various body parts close up: http://education.denniskunkel.com/ZoomIn.php . You can see more cool photos of insects, bacteria, and more under a microscope here: http://education.denniskunkel.com/catalog/

All About Pests
http://www.pestworldforkids.org/learninggames.html
These games teach kids about termites, ants, roaches, and other household pests. The overriding message is that from the pest's point of view, houses can be excellent habitats. To control the pests, a good strategy is to make the house less appealing as a habitat. Good science learning there. And from a parent's point of view, the games are good because they encourage kids to clean up spills and crumbs.

Youth Policy and Action Center
The Youth Policy Action Center is a Web site that engages young people (and adults) in democracy: changing policies that change young people's lives. The organizations who participate in the Youth Policy Action Center believe that by working together, youth advocates can achieve what no one organization could achieve alone. From its conception, the Youth Policy Action Center has been a collaborative effort organized by a growing virtual assembly of advocacy and youth organizations from across the county. http://www.youthpolicyactioncenter.org/

Mountains to the Sea
Four campers begin their journey in the Georgia mountains and learn about the environment as they "travel" all the way to the sea. Mountains to the Sea will teach you about Georgia's special types of terrain, plants, and animals in a fun and unusual way. Travel with four cyber campers and experience this spectacular journey that continues the Garden Club of Georgia's Special Youth Project. http://www.uga.edu/gardenclub/m2s/

Smokey the Bear Smokey Kids
Check out Smokey's Special kids section with lots of games stories and fun! http://www.smokeybear.com/kids/default.asp
Also check out the Education and Design Resources at: http://www.smokeybear.com/resources.asp

SRDC Releases Southern Region Information Toolkit
The data you've been searching for is now at your fingertips! A new site, the result of a partnership among the Southern Rural Development Center, Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Delta Data Center, provides instant access to a wealth of data on areas within the Southern region. In the Southern Region Information Toolkit, you'll find a wide variety of economic, demographic and social indicators that can be used by organizations and agencies at the local, state and regional levels; various profiles, historical trends and tools for determining changes in economy and job growth in Southern region areas; specific data broken down by county, state, region and nation; the option to examine data by the
metropolitan, micropolitan and noncore-based status of counties in your state or in the Southern region. See for yourself at http://srit.srdc.msstate.edu.

Teens Help Teens Stay Safe Online
While parents worry about potential dangers to their children lurking in our web-surfing, IM-ing, text-messaging culture... public awareness of the need for online safety education has increased recently, there's still more that needs to be done. Teenangels, a program for youth ages 13 to 18, is using the peer-to-peer approach to school others about online safety.
http://www.connectforkids.org/node/4045

National Institute on Drug Abuse
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, in the Department of Health and Human Services .  NIDA Goes Back to School provides free information about the latest science-based drug abuse publications and teaching materials. Students, need to know the science behind drug abuse? Check out http://www.backtoschool.drugabuse.gov/ and also check out the special teen site at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/ .

CITIZENShift
CITIZENShift is a website that features film, photos, text and audio all with a focus on social issues and activism. Check out the CITIZENShift's latest feature, Youth Empowerment Through Media. This dossier features media by youth exploring issues that are important to them. http://citizen.nfb.ca/onf/info?did=1941

Hollywood Futures Explores Entertainment Careers
For exclusive behind the scenes information about the world of Hollywood, c! heck out Kidz Online's latest show, Hollywood Futures, which features interviews with actors, artisans, agents and executives sharing how they broke into the industry and climbed the ladder to success. Hollywood hopefuls can learn directly from the advice of stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jimmy Kimmel, or even peek into the brilliant minds behind Lucasfilm's Industrial Light and Magic at www.HollywoodFutures.org right now!

NASA Kid's Club
NASA recently announced a new web site, called Kids' Club, that features animated, entertaining, and educational activities for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Interactive games on the site teach children about exploring space, building and launching rockets, keeping airplanes on schedule, how a comet travels through the solar system, and more. The site serves a dual purpose, NASA said: Children can play games at home for entertainment, and educators can use it as a fun way to reach students in the classroom, during after-school programs, or anywhere children and computers are together. "Our goal with the Kids' Club is to provide a medium that encourages children's interest in exploring the subjects important to developing early skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics," said Angela Phillips Diaz, NASA's acting assistant administrator for education. "The Kids' Club combines entertainment with NASA's unique mission content and educational resources." Educational games and activities were developed for five different skill levels and reportedly support various national education standards in science and math.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html

Web Site Engages Youth, Spurs Community Action
YouthNoise, a Web site initially launched in 2001, re-launched recently with the aim of encouraging youth dialogue on important social issues. The revised site, featuring content created exclusively by young people, lets users submit articles they've written, post to message boards on various topics, and participate in debates. Site users (who range in age from 16 to 22) discuss issues relating to politics, health, education, and more. Some young people use the site as a forum to share strategies for taking action in their local communities." It's especially interesting to the YouthLearn team to see this development, as we partnered with YouthNoise to conduct the AT&T Young Leaders Program a few years ago.
http://www.youthnoise.com

QUOTES AND INSPIRATIONS

"I really believe that each of us must come to care about everyone else’s children. We must come to see that the well-being of our own individual children is intimately linked to the well-being of all other people’s children. After all, when one of our own children needs lifesaving surgery, someone else’s child will perform it; when one of our own children is threatened or harmed by violence on the streets, someone else’s child will commit it. The good life for our own children can only be secured if it is also secured for all other people’s children. But to worry about all other people’s children is not just a practical or strategic matter; it is a moral and ethical one: to strive for the well-being of all other people’s children is also right."
-Lilian G. Katz

"The more you see yourself as what you’d like to become, and act as if what you want is already there, the more you’ll activate those dormant forces that will collaborate to transform your dream into your reality."
- Dr. Wayne Dyer

"The finest gift you can give anyone is encouragement. If everyone received the encouragement they need to grow, the genius in most everyone would blossom and the world would
produce abundance beyond the wildest dreams."
- Sidney Madwed

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal."
- Albert Pine

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Believe you can do it. Believing something can be done puts your mind to work for you and helps you find ways to do it."
- George Shinn

GEORGIA 4-H FACULTY

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

University of Georgia 4-H Staff
Roger C. (Bo)Ryles, State 4-H Leader / Unit Head, boryles@uga.edu
Arch Smith, Associate State 4-H Leader, asmith@uga.edu
Jeff Buckley, 4-H Educational Program Specialist, jbuckley@uga.edu
Peter Croffie, 4-H Program Assistant, ofotsu@uga.edu
Brittany Ivey, 4-H Program Assistant, britni@uga.edu
Jenny Jordan, Extension 4-H Specialist, jwj4h@uga.edu
Lauren Ledbetter, Grants Program Coordinator, lauren1@uga.edu
Mandy Marable, Extension 4-H Specialist, mmarable@uga.edu
Kasey Mull, Military Project Coordinator, mullcd2@uga.edu
Mary Ann Parsons, Development Coordinator, Georgia 4-H Foundation, parsonsm@uga.edu
Heather Shultz, 4-H Educational Program Specialist, hkalino@uga.edu
Cheryl Varnadoe, Extension 4-H Specialist, cv4h@uga.edu
Charlie Wurst, Extension 4-H Specialist, cwurst@uga.edu
Steve Walker, 4-H Technology Specialist, stevew@uga.edu
Brittany Ivey, 4-H Program Assistant, britni@uga.edu
Robin Wall, 4-H Program Assistant, brooks14@uga.edu
Marilyn Poole, Northeast District 4-H PDC, marpoole@uga.edu
Lori Purcell, Northwest District 4-H PDC, lpurcell@uga.edu
Teresa Harvey, Southeast District 4-H PDC, tharvey@uga.edu
Laura Perry Johnson, Southwest District 4-H PDC, lpj4h@uga.edu

CONTACT GEORGIA 4-H AT 706-542-4H4H or www.georgia4h.org

Written by Cheryl R. Varnadoe
Extension 4-H Specialist
Marketing, Public Relations and Recruitment
with contributions from the Georgia 4-H Staff
cv4h@uga.edu