The Gazette

New Report Links Strong Families & Adolescent Outcomes

2009-04-28T09:17:14-05:00

An April 2009 report from Child Trends Research Briefs summarizes an analysis of the data from the Every Child Every Promise Study conducted by America's Promise Alliance (Moore, Whitney & Kinukawa). The study focused on lower income families, however the findings were similar for all families regardless of income. The study examined four types of family strengths using data on adolescents, ages 12-17, from families with incomes below $50,000:

1. Close and caring parenting
2. Parental monitoring, supervision and awareness
3. Parental involvement
4. Positive parental role modeling

Findings related to performance in school, social competence and participation in risky behaviors are summarized in the report. Why is this important? The study supports CYFAR (Children, Youth and Families At-Risk) program strategies that promote family involvement in youth programs and foster parenting skills related to responsible monitoring of children's behavior.

For more information, go to:
http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2009_04_16_RB_FamilyStrengths.pdf

Wonderwise 4-H Selected as Evidence-based Curriculum

2009-04-14T15:06:18-05:00

A 4-H curriculum from Nebraska is one of 4 evidence-based programs selected for after-school programs by Great Science for Girls: Extension Services for Gender Equity in Science through After-School Programs (GSG), a partnership led by the Educational Equity Center at the Academy for Educational Development (EEC/AED) with AED Center for Youth Development and Policy Research (CYD) and the AED National Training Institute for Community Youth Work (NTI). GSG was funded by NSF in 2006 as a 5-year initiative to build the capacity of after-school centers to delivery programming that will broaden and sustain girls' interest in STEM. The 4 evidence based programs include:

1. Wonderwise 4-H - ages 8-12 - wasdeveloped by The University of Nebraska State Museum and Nebraska 4-H Youth Development with funding from the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

2. After-School Science PLUS, for ages 6-14, was developed by Educational Equity Concepts, Inc. with funding from the National Science Foundation Program for Gender Equity and a variety of local New York City funders.

3. Girls at the Center, for ages 6-14, was developed by The Franklin Institute Science Museum in collaboration with Girl Scouts of the USA, with funding from the National Science Foundation.

4. Girls Inc Operation SMART, for ages 5-6 through 18, was developed by Girls Incorporated® with funding from National Science Foundation, The Ford Foundation, The Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Coca Cola Foundation, CREW Foundation, General Motors Foundation, Verizon Communications, Lucent Technology Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities and many others.

These programs were professionally evaluated and show positive outcomes related to girls and STEM. Other programs will be added as they meet the criteria of evidence-based programs set by the Great Science for Girls project. Those criteria are found on the web site listed above. To learn more go to:
http://gsg.afterschool.org/public/evidence_based.cfm?Size=2

New Web Resource

2009-02-19T09:50:54-05:00

FindYouthInfo.gov Launch Announcement:
New Web Site Dedicated to Strengthening Youth Programs

The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs is pleased to announce the launch of FindYouthInfo.gov, a collaborative effort of 12 Federal departments and agencies developed out of a shared goal of strengthening community resources to support our Nation's youth.

This site provides targeted information to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan and implement effective youth programs.

FindYouthInfo.gov offers customized strategies and practical resources designed to help communities:
*Build and sustain effective community partnerships
*Generate maps of community resources
*Develop evidence-based youth programs addressing risk and protective factors
*Access up to date information on Federal programs, funding opportunities and youth-related issues

This Web site features many Federally-developed interactive tools to help users build quality partnerships within their communities and help America's youth reach their full potential. Online tools include social bookmarking, a calendar of events, news feeds, mapping tools, searchable youth program database, and much more.

FindYouthInfo.gov will be continually updated with new features and enhancements. Comments and suggestions on the site are appreciated, and can be submitted through the online Feedback Form. Visitor feedback will be used to enhance the Web site in the coming months.

Visit FindYouthInfo.gov today to learn about all its great features, and sign up for e-blasts to stay abreast of the latest youth-related news and new site features.

Afterschool Matters Journal on line

2008-05-28T13:41:42-05:00

The National Institute on Out-of-School Time and The Robert Bowne
Foundation recently teamed up to work on the Afterschool Matters
Journal. You can access the Afterschool Matters journal online at:

Blue Ribbon Tips & Troubleshooting

2007-10-05T13:24:01-05:00

Do you manage the Blue Ribbon Data Management in your county? If so, visit MarTech Systems website for helpful information on Blue Ribbon.

You will find tip sheets on the ES237, Year End Processing, how run queries and much more.

Announcing CYFAR 2008 in San Antonio

2007-10-04T09:22:59-05:00

National 4-H Headquarters, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announces the 2008 CYFAR Conference May 6-9, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas.

ANNUAL 4-H REPORTS - Deadlines & Details

2007-09-07T11:02:03-05:00

Reminder on evaluation / reporting pieces due from each county:

By October 1st1. ES-237

By November 1st
1. County Summary of the Annual 4-H Group Activity Report
2. County 4-H Afterschool Log
3. Teamwork Surveys - from all 4-H teams identified for inclusion in this evaluation

ANNUAL 4-H GROUP ACTIVITY REPORTS
The Annual Group Activity Reports (Forms A, B, C) are due in your office from all 4-H groups by October 20, and the county summary is due in the State 4-H Office by November 1st. These forms are found on the Youth Development Staff Resources website at:
http://extension.unh.edu/4H/4HYDSR.htm
The county summary report is located on Formbuilder at: http://cecf1.unh.edu/formbuilder/intforms/form86_ClubSumm.htm. Please submit electronically, or download and complete the form and send to the State 4-H Office.

4-H AFTERSCHOOL REPORT
The 4-H Afterschool Work Team created a tracking log to assist in preparing annual reports related to your work with afterschool programs. A copy of the log is posted under Reporting and Evaluation tools as 4-H Afterschool Log: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/4HYDSR.htm
The log should include data for the POW year, October 1-September 30. Please forward your completed copy to Paula Gregory no later than NOVEMBER 1st. It will be used to make multiple reports, including the annual national 4-H Council survey of county educators.

TEAMWORK SURVEYS
Forward all completed copies of Teamwork Surveys to Charlotte Cross. Indicate your county, and the name of the group in each batch sent. All tabulation of data will be done at the State Office. The link for this form is:

Training Modules

2007-09-04T14:41:45-05:00

The following are training modules from the National Collaboration for Youth addressing competency areas they feel youth professionals should have. They are simple, easy to follow and could provide items for your tool box that help you teach other youth professionals in your counties. You will note in the Empowering Youth, they use the last category as Resources where we use the term Partner.You can substitute this in your work for consistency.

The modules are as follows:

Involving and Empowering Youth
Cares for, Involves and Works with Families and Community
Communicates and Develops Positive Relationships with Youth

All three training modules can be found on the 4-H Staff Intranet page under Resources for training.

Wendy

4-H Enrollment Form

2007-08-29T15:16:38-05:00

The 2007-2008 4-H Member Enrollment form and 4-H Volunteer Enrollment form are available on the website at: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/4HForms.htm

In order to make updates immediately available, please link your county website to the document on the state 4-H website (rather than placing separate documents on each county website). Thanks, Michele

07-08 4-H Events Calendar

2007-08-29T15:11:27-05:00

The 2007-2008 4-H Events Calendar is now available on the 4-H Staff Intranet page under General Information at: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/staff/4Hstaff.htm

Please note: this is the only calendar that will be released this year. Notification of changes will be done via email.

Bringing Out the Inner Gardener - CYFAR Mission of the Month

2007-05-17T09:06:46-05:00

The May 2007 Mission of the Month is now posted online! CYFERnet helps to bring out the "inner gardener" in everyone with Project Budburst, Operation Green Thumb and a garden variety of other activities:

*Project Budburst*
Has spring really sprung? Find out for sure by joining in Project BudBurst. Running through June 15, this national field campaign invites the public to become "citizen scientists." Along with other scientists and educators across the United States, you can delve into phenology, i.e. the timing of life cycle events in plants and animals.

*Operation Green Thumb*
Using a blend of scientific investigation and Internet resources, youth get in touch with their inner gardener. Watch a Web movie from the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden that answers the question, "What is Science?" Then, do your own scientific investigation of the plants growing in your home, backyard or community.

*Garden Variety*
CYFERnet offers a garden variety of additional ideas to get young people thinking about the science of plants, including links to online gardening games and tips for plant-related science projects.

To take part in these or any of CYFERnet's previous monthly missions, visit http://www.cyfernet.org/4htech/missions.html. Each activity is easy and affordable, and proves how much fun science, engineering and technology can be!

Disadvantaged Youth Volunteers New Study

2007-04-16T09:15:36-05:00

There is a new study out by the Corporation for National Service that looks at all youth as volunteers. Click here to view the complete study, Leveling the Path to Participation: Volunteering and Civic Engagement among Youth from Disadvantaged Circumstances.

4-H Camp Green Up Days

2007-04-13T14:41:18-05:00

The following is a letter from Chris, regarding the Work Day at Bear Hill. Please feel free to distribute to any and all that may be able to attend. You may also use it as a press release.

Bear Hill Camp Green Up Days
Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6, 8am - 3 pm

Dear Friends of 4-H Camps,

Despite the April snow showers, rain, and cool weather, our 4-H Camp staff is preparing for opening day at Camp on July 1, 2007.

I need your help to ready Camp Bear Hill for another great summer season. I am looking for volunteers on the workdays, May 5 and 6, 2007. Both general help, as well as folks with construction skills are needed.

Bring your tool belt, cleaning supplies and bug spray, of course! Cabins must be cleaned, walking paths raked, docks put in, and general repairs made, following a New Hampshire winter. If your talents include carpentry, plumbing or landscaping, your expertise is greatly needed. We will be tackling some construction projects this year, including plumbing, electrical, and construction improvements.

Work gloves, cleaning materials, paint and garden tools necessary for the days' work will be provided for you. And to sustain our hard working friends, we will have our experienced culinary staff preparing a great BBQ lunch, lots of iced tea and lemonade. Our office can also provide the inspiration of 4-H campers and parents:
"My child had an easier time making friends at camp--Danny says there aren't bullies at camp." Camp Parent
" I love camp because if you don't know anyone you talk to everyone" Camper Bear Hill

University of New Hampshire 4-H Camps believe summer camping experiences provide children of all backgrounds the opportunity to learn and interact with other children and the outdoors. How many of you have a special memory from a camp experience you had? These remembrances have a lasting positive impact on a child's development: social, physical, intellectual and emotional.

With your generous gift of time, our camp will be ready when we open the doors to over 850 campers in July.

Please join us! To help us plan for lunch please call 603-862-2184 or you can email me at chris.conlon@unh.edu. I look forward to seeing you there.

With Warm Regards,

Chris Conlon
4-H Bear Hill Camp Director

2nd Camp Newsrelease - Teen Adventure Series

2007-04-13T10:36:12-05:00

Per your request here is the second UNH 4-H Camps newsrelease. Please feel free to add your county information and distribute to all your local media sources. If you have specific county information that you want to add about scholarships etc, please put a paragraph in before the last paragraph. All newsreleases will have the same last paragraph to direct them to the website to register.

Summer Camp Opportunities
Abound for New Hampshire Teens
For immediate release
Contact: NAME, PHONE, EMAIL

Parents, have your teenagers outgrown the traditional summer camps they enjoyed as youngsters? Do they enjoying hanging out with other teens who share their interests? Do they want to explore some exciting career options?

There are some great opportunities coming up this summer at UNH 4-H Camps. The camps, operated by UNH Cooperative Extension, have special programs designed for Teen Adventure campers, who can also participate in regular camp activities such as swimming, canoeing, hiking and crafts. UNH 4-H Camps is located at Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown. Cost of the Teen Adventure Series is $495/week, all inclusive. Just look at the options below:

Healthy Athlete: July 15-20 This session includes interactive workshops conducted by professionals in sports conditioning and injury prevention, sports nutrition for optimum performance and sports psychology. This is a great camp to get ready for fall sports. Participants will enjoy a Red Sox game at Fenway Park!

Baaa Hill at Bear Hill: July 22-27 This session is a great start for those interested in a career in veterinary medicine or animal science, as they become the caretakers of a goat (provided for the week). Participants will construct goat packs, and take a trek with their animal in Bear Brook State Park.

Take to the Skies: July 29-August 3 An exciting opportunity for teens interested in aviation and astronomy. Teens will tour Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington, spending time in the flight simulator. There will be a late night trip to the UNH Observatory for some quality star gazing.

NH Expedition: August 5- 10 Teens explore the varied terrain of the Granite State, as the group travels north to the NH Fish and Game Fish Hatchery at Barry Conservation Camp where they will spend the night. After a guided adventure through the caverns of Lost River, teens will take a two-hour adventure through the tree tops of Lincoln, with Alpine Adventures.

Island Adventure I and II : August 12-17 Participants spend three days on the Isles of Shoals, off the coast of New Hampshire. Campers attend programs using the Shoals Marine Lab (jointly run by UNH and Cornell University). Group I has a focus of natural history/island legend, while Group II will concentrate on oceanography and marine science.

The Teen Adventure Series is filling fast, but opportunities are still available. To learn more or to register, visit our website at extension.unh.edu. You can also call (603) 862-2184. Both camps are licensed by New Hampshire and accredited by the American Camp Association.

UNH 4-H CAMPS / 180 Main St., Moiles House, UNH Durham, NH 03824-2536
Phone:603/862-2184 Fax: 603/862-2157
4hcamps@unh.edu extension.unh.edu
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
University of New Hampshire, U.S. Department of Agriculture and N.H. Counties cooperating

Dollar Value of Volunteering

2007-04-03T09:25:09-05:00

The Independent Sector has released the new report about the increase in the value of volunteering. For this information and other facts related to the volunteer efforts click here.

The value of volunteer time is based on the average hourly earnings of all production and non-supervisory workers on private non-farm payrolls (as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Independent Sector takes this figure and increases it by 12 percent to estimate for fringe benefits.