by Heather Kent | Jul 15, 2016
These DIY neck coolers are great to help youth learn about sewing AND science!
Even though it is not yet August, the Florida heat is sweltering. Staying hydrated is key, but you can also stay comfortable outdoors with a neck cooler. The neck cooler helps cool the blood pumping to your head and is a very effective way to prevent heatstroke when you need to be outdoors. This project is also a great beginner sewing project for 4-Hers and volunteers! This project is from the online Maker Movement Magazine. It is also a fun way to tie in the science of hydro-gels polymers. Hydro-gel polymers are long molecule chains that absorb water efficiently and easily. They are used in agriculture to prevent soil erosion, conserve water and even soak up toxic spills from our environment. A great extension of this project would be the Helpful Hydro-gel Experiment by Steve Spangler- the 2008 National 4-H Youth Science Day Experiment.
Youth are learning how to measure and cut fabric for their neck coolers with Monica Brinkley, County Extension Director and Agent in Liberty County
Here’s what you need to make your neck cooler:
- 1 piece of fabric measuring 36 inches long and 5 inches wide
- 1 tsp of hydro-gels (found in the gardening supply section of your local store)
- Thread
- Scissors
- Sewing needle (if sewing by hand) or sewing machine
- Iron and ironing board
Fold the piece of fabric lengthwise (right sides together) and press to form a tube. Stitch a 1/2 inch seam across one end and down the length of the fabric. Turn the tube right-side out and press. From the stitched end of the tube, measure 4 1/2 inches and stitch a seam across to make a pocket for the hydro-gels. On the open end of the tube, use a funnel to pour 1 tsp of dry hydro-gel beads inside the pocket. Next, fold the ends of the open tube inside and stitch securely. To activate the gels, simply soak in cool water. Tie around your neck and stay cool!
Neck coolers can be sewn by hand or with a sewing machine
Other helpful UF IFAS Extension resources:
Hydration Myths
Hydration in Hot Working Environments
Hydration Safety
4-H Sewing Project Info
by Heather Kent | Jul 8, 2016
Did you know that July is National Blueberry Month? Blueberries are in season now, and reasonably priced at grocery stores, fruit stands, and farmers’ markets. Many growers also offer a “pick your own” service which can be a fun family outing. The good news is that this delicious treat has many health benefits. Blueberries are low in calories- only 80 calories per cup but are packed with nutrients. A handful of blueberries satisfy the recommended intake of dietary fiber. They are also high in vitamin C- one serving provides 25% of your daily requirement. Blueberries are also high in manganese, which helps the body process cholesterol and nutrients such as carbohydrates and protein.
Blueberries are a native North American plant, and it was only within the last 100 years that we have been able to grow them commercially. All thanks to Elizabeth White, the daughter of a New Jersey farmer, teamed up with USDA botanist Frederick Coville to domesticate the blueberry. They spent years identifying blueberry plants with desirable qualities for cultivation. They harvested and sold the first cultivated crop of blueberries in 1916- exactly 100 years ago! Until 20 years ago, blueberries could only be grown in northern climates like New Jersey, Maine, and Michigan. Thanks to the University of Florida, southern blueberry cultivars were developed through research that don’t require as many chilling hours and bear more fruit. Although Florida is not currently the leading producer of blueberries, we are quickly catching up with 25 million pounds produced annually!
Fun Facts about Blueberries:
- Blueberries are relatives of the rhododendron family
- The perfect blueberry should have a “dusty’ appearance
- Don’t wash your blueberries until you are ready to eat them (washing speeds up the spoiling process).
- To freeze blueberries, place them unwashed, on a cookie sheet and flash freeze. Then place them in quart-size freezer bags to use later in smoothies, crumbles, cobblers, or ice cream.
- Recent studies show that blueberries may have the potential to aid in memory loss, vision loss and even slow down the aging process
- Native Americans recognized the nutritional value of blueberries and used them for medicinal purposes as well as flavorings
- Early American Colonists used blueberries to dye fabric and also to color paint
This month, celebrate the blueberry by planting a bush, visiting a U-pick farm, or making a tasty home-made blueberry treat. Fresh From Florida (a division of the Florida Department of Ag) has lots of free and delicious recipes. Try Florida Blueberry Parfait, Blueberry Breakfast Casserole, Blueberry and Blue Cheese Salad or even Blueberry Barbecue Sauce!
Additional UF/IFAS Resources about Blueberries:
by Heather Kent | Jul 2, 2016
It’s Fourth of July weekend and time to celebrate our independence with family and friends. This week, we wanted to share with you some tips and tricks to make your celebration fun, yummy and safe! We’ve compiled a list of previous posts that you might want to reference for this weekend:
Photo by Jill Wellington
by Heather Kent | Jun 24, 2016
Nate Grimsley is known for teaching crafts at 4-H camp each year.
In a world where so many things don’t make sense, Nate Grimsley has discovered something that does. Ten years ago, Nate’s daughter won 1st place at the Leon County 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Program and was awarded a full scholarship to Camp Cherry Lake. Nate had attended camp at Cherry Lake as a camper decades earlier and after being asked 9 years ago by 4-H agent Marcus Boston to consider attending camp as a volunteer he said “Yes!” and has never looked back. Today, Nate still serves as a chaperone for camp, but he also teaches art and crafts classes during the week. He has taught hundreds of youth how to make paracord bracelets and to weave fans and insect models out of native palmetto leaves. He is so good at his volunteer role that he is often asked to volunteer at other county camp weeks and even the State Shooting Sports Camp.
“Volunteering is rewarding- I love teaching and it is so fulfilling to give back and to set a positive example for kids. I had a learning disability when I was growing up, so I have a different perspective on how kids learn. I have one rule- they are never allowed to say ‘I can’t.’ They can say they don’t understand, but never ‘I can’t’. It is so rewarding to see them succeed.”
Nate teaches youth to use palmetto branches to weave fans, baskets and even 3-dimensional insect models.
Nate’s example has had a huge impact on his own children. Both of his children served as teen leaders for 4-H. His son’s cabin always won “cleanest cabin” and his daughter was such a good counselor that he was invited to intern at a camp in Maine. “The leadership skills that my kids learned at camp helped both of them land their first jobs. It is a great program and parents and teens should take advantage of it.” Marcus Boston and Stefanie Prevatt, 4-H faculty at the Leon County UF/IFAS Extension Office, have developed a strenuous but highly effective camp counselor leadership program. Even though it is a volunteer position, teens must complete an application, screening, interview and 30-hour training program in order to serve.
Even though Nate’s kids have graduated out of the 4-H program, he continues to serve. In addition to being a certified chaperone, he is also certified to teach archery through the 4-H Shooting Sports program. Erlier this year, he taught workshops for teens at adults at the Northwest Teen Retreat and 4-H State Volunteer Leader’s Forum.
“I am still involved because I just love kids and I love seeing them learn. I have always volunteered in different ways- school boosters, organized sports, but I love volunteering in 4-H so much that my wife and I are starting a 4-H club this fall- the ‘Good Sense 4-H Club.’ Our goal is to help kids learn how to problem solve and make good decisions now and later in life.”
Nate’s palmetto-leaf grasshoppers are a popular camp craft and are extremely realistic looking.
Nate encourages everyone he knows to volunteer. He holds down a full-time job, but has always been able to work with his supervisor to make time for volunteering. “Being a volunteer is a great means of networking. I have met so many interesting people through my volunteer work. I find joy in giving back to others. God has given so much to me- I want to pay it forward. Also, we need solid role models to teach kids how to be independent. 4-H is a great way to do just that.”
4-H offers a wide range of volunteer positions to fit various schedules, interests and abilities. To find out more about volunteering and what is available in your community, contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org/volunteers.
by Heather Kent | Jun 17, 2016
4-H camping season is open! Photo credit: Heather Kent, UF IFAS
Its official- summer camp season has started, which inspired me to ponder my own childhood camp experiences and how different they were from what 4-H offers. My first youth camping experience was not fun, but it also was not through a positive youth development program (gasp!). That’s right- although I have been a 4-H professional for more than 17 years, I did not grow up in the 4-H program. In fact, I had never even heard of 4-H until I attended graduate school at a USDA land-grant University.
One of the explanations for my “4-H vacuum” can be attributed to the fact that I was born into a military family. Much of my childhood was spent overseas and at that time, 4-H was not widely offered on military bases the way it is now. Today University of Florida 4-H faculty serve as liaisons to 4-H clubs on military bases in England, Germany, Italy and Cuba. UF even offers a week of camp specifically for military youth called Camp Corral. Because of my limited 4-H experience, it was not until I had a couple of summers “under my belt” as a 4-H faculty member that I really understood the value of our camping program and why it is one of the most significant ways we impact youth.
I could spout out all of the data that supports how youth benefit from camp, but I am going to lead with the “why.” It really hit home for me my second year as a 4-H agent when I found one of my 4-Hers sobbing on the last day of camp. I asked her what was wrong and she shared:
“I am crying because I don’t want to leave. This is my second year at camp and I look forward to it all year because it is the only place I feel like I belong. Camp is the only place I can be myself. At school I am bullied and made fun of, but here I am accepted for who I am and I am included in everything. This is where I feel ‘normal’ and where I feel like I matter. I wish it could be like this all year long.”
Photo credit: Heather Kent, University of Florida IFAS
From that point forward, I never dreaded all the work that went into making camp happen. I realized the true impact of what we do, and I have heard countless youth express similar sentiments over the years. It gives youth a break from the cliques or labels at school. They can explore new interests and cultivate an appreciation of the outdoors. They learn how to be responsible for their belongings; how to get along with others in cramped cabin spaces; they observe adults and teens working together and respecting people who might look or act differently from themselves.
When I wear my 4-H shirt , I am almost always stopped by strangers telling me that they were in 4-H and that 4-H camp is where they met their best friend, spouse, where they learned to swim, or how they learned to lead. 4-H camp matters. 4-H camp is different and 4-H camp works because faculty, staff and volunteers are intentional about incorporating the essential elements of positive youth development into every aspect of camp. We painstakingly plan to create an inclusive environment where it is safe to try new things like tying a clinch knot to rig your fishing pole, performing a skit on stage or kayaking with dolphins. We purposefully plan to build a sense of community at camp. In a very measured way we develop leaders and youth adult partnerships. 4-H camp is in and of itself a teen-adult youth partnership. 4-H teens are trained as counselors and have quite a bit of input on how the camp week is structured. In addition, these teens demonstrate their 4-H skills by teaching classes at camp, leading activities, and mentoring younger youth. These elements are not present at most other camps- even the really expensive or exclusive ones. However, 4-H camps are reasonably priced and open to all youth between the ages of 8 and 18 (as of Sept. 1st).
Camp is a safe place to try new things like archery. Photo credit: UF IFAS.
I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand how camp can ignite a spark in a young person to set them up for success later in life. I saw my first-time campers grow to become counselors in training. After a couple more years I watched them blossom into leaders- not just at camp, but in our community back home and at their schools. I watched them mentor other youth and influence their peers in positive ways. I had the honor of watching them win scholarships and internships based on their service and leadership through 4-H. I saw them return to camp as 4-H alumni, summer staff and volunteers. Now, many of them are successful business owners, teachers, engineers and civic leaders. Soon, my “campers” will have children of their own old enough to attend 4-H camp. As I reflect, I can’t help but hear the faint tune of “Circle of Life” playing in my head. . .
But seriously, I wish that I had had the opportunity to experience 4-H camp as a young person. My first (non-4-H) camping experience had none of these elements of positive youth development. I remember being incredibly grateful when the experience was over and thankful to have survived it (it involved an earthquake while traveling by train through the mountains of Italy to reach our campsite- a compelling story for a different type of blog-post). The 4-H camp formula is not only fun (and safe) for kids, it has a well-documented history of teaching them lifelong lessons to help them be productive citizens and members of the workforce. As a Gen X mom myself, I have to ask “What parent wouldn’t want that for their child?” To find out more about the Florida 4-H Camping Program, contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office, or visit http://florida4h.org.
2016 Florida 4-H Camp Schedule– it’s not too late to sign up, but camp slots are going quickly!
