by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Allison Meharg
Livestock/4-H Extension Agent
Escambia County Extension Office
3740 Stefani Rd
Cantonment, FL 32533
allisonm@ufl.edu
(850) 475-5230 ex. 102
iPads. While that may seem like the most common word today, five years ago it didn’t even exist. The world has really changed dramatically and 4-H is changing with it in order serve every child. iPads are an important piece of technology that we can use to reach youth in our counties. Along with being extremely portable and versatile, they open a new world to kids that they can really touch and see.
Apple’s iPad has lots of uses within the education field, especially 4-H. Our ability o be creative and not constrained in program development allows agents the opportunity to take full advantage of many features that a traditional classroom would not. Apps are the main source of educational material and total in the hundreds of thousands to choose from. One in particular that students may already be familiar with is the various Stargazer apps. These apps allow the user to aim the device (iPad, iPhone, Driod) at the sky and identify constellations. The technology could be used in a youth astronomy program or twilight activity. Even on a cloudy night, youth can still see the constellations and identify the different parts of the sky. Apps also include recipe books, NASA educational information, drawing, and video software. Youth have thousands of options to choose from in order incorporate iPads into 4-H programs.
A second use for the iPads is with all our local county council and teen leader groups. We struggle sometimes with converting student minutes into a workable format or keeping track of all the business information conducted in their meetings. The iPads put everything at the member’s fingertips. They can keep minutes, take photos or videos, use to show information through a projector, as well as simply keeping roll on Excel. While it’s not the answer to every problem, an iPad does provide a compact source of information for our youth to utilize.
Tablets are a source of technology that allows the user to create their own path. iPads are a user driven device and can used in a variety of ways within our traditional programs. It is up to each agent or volunteer to determine the best program benefit from an iPad. With such a new technology thousands of uses are still to be discovered, but the available apps and features on the tablet open a new world of possibilities for our 4-H programs.
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Sherri Kraeft
Wakulla County 4-H Agent
Wakulla County Extension Office
84 Cedar Avenue
Crawfordville, FL 32327
sjkraeft@ufl.edu
850-926-3931
850-926-8789
Tips for Summer Camp FUNdraising
Every child wants the opportunity to attend summer camp, but some are unable to due to financial hardships on their families. In order to alleviate this problem, many counties have begun to fundraise specifically for camp scholarships. In order to have a successful fundraiser, it is helpful to have the following in place to help your fundraiser to be a success:
1.Have a theme or idea that is eye-catching and attention grabbing and center the activity around that theme. For example, Wakulla County 4-H is doing a battle of the bands competition this year called “Jam 4 Camp” and has invited local musicians to participate
2.Have buy-in from your 4-H Leaders, Community Leaders and Advisory Groups. These are the backbones of your 4-H program and they are essential at helping to coordinate staff and solicit resources and donations from the community.
3.Advertise, advertise, and advertise. We all know that word of mouth is the absolute best way to promote an event, but use social media sites, websites, email and good old fashioned posters along with media coverage in your local paper and news.
4.Set a goal amount and solicit sponsorships from local businesses, banks and organizations. Every little bit counts and it eventually adds up.
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Paula M. Davis, Ph. D.
Bay County 4-H Agent
Bay County Extension Office
2728 East 14th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
pmdavis@ufl.edu
850-784-6105
850-784-6107
Summer is a neat opportunity to learn about those creatures that cause many of us to go YUCK and jump back – bugs. Most insects are beneficial. Less than one percent of all insects are harmful.
Go outdoors to see nature up close and personal. Youth love to explore and together you can explore the bugs in your corner of the world by collecting them. It is simple to catch bugs with this homemade bug catcher you can make with your children. All you need is a paint strainer, duct tape, a wire coat hanger, and handle (wooden rod, broom handle, etc). Start with the coat hanger and straighten the hanger part. Stretch out the main part of the hanger to make a circle. Attach the paint strainer to the coat hanger using duct tape or thread. Attach the straightened part of the hanger to the handle with duct tape. Your bug catcher is complete.
Now all you need to do is go outside in your yard or local park and let them catch bugs. Be careful once they have caught the bugs. Make sure they are ‘friendly’ before anyone touches the bug. For more information and bug ID go to http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/bug_club/ent-events/outreach.shtml. Also use care when handling the bug so it can be released back to nature.
If you would like more hands on activities like these check out The ABC’s of Entomology . This material seeks to provide youth with a basic knowledge and understanding of insects and their natural history, to increase awareness and appreciation of insects and the complex roles they have in nature, to stimulate critical and creative thinking, to provide experiences for youth to learn and apply scientific principles, and to provide opportunities for youth to develop valuable life skills. Available in CD format with print ready files. http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/p-322-abcs-of-entomology.aspx
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Janet Psikogios
4-H OMK Regional Coordinator
UF/IFAS Bay County Extension
2728 E. 14th Street
Panama City, FL 32401
janetp@ufl.edu
(850) 784-6105
(850) 784-6107
Summertime! It’s almost here. We all look forward to what we will do during the summer. Play sports, go to the beach, attend 4-H camp … there are lots of things to do. But what about the needs of the military youth? They serve and make sacrifices so their military parents can focus on the mission at hand. They give so much by taking on additional responsibilities living without a parent for months at a time.
This is the time of year many military families relocate. Moving during the summer months can be challenging, but it provides many opportunities to join new organizations and meet new friends. During the summer, it is difficult to find things to do if you are new to the area. However, you can help a military family that moves into your neighborhood by introducing yourself and inviting them to participate in some of the local summertime 4-H activities.
Military families reside in every county; even counties without military bases have Guard or Reserve families. 4-H recognizes the sacrifices that military youth make, and inviting them to participate in 4-H summer activities is a good start. Becoming involved in these activities can be a great stress reliever for military youth during deployment.
One fun summer activity, OMK Camp Timpoochee, is scheduled for July 11-15. If you are interested in attending OMK Camp Timpoochee visit http://floridaomk.blogspot.com to register. There is limited space remaining including space for non-military friends of military. OMK Camps are so popular, that all vacancies have been filled for Camp Ocala.
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Marcus Boston
Leon County 4-H Agent
Leon County Extension Office
615 Paul Russell Road
Tallahassee, FL 32301-7099
Bostonm@leoncountyfl.gov
(850) 606-5213
(850) 606-5201
Recruiting and training volunteers is a vital part of starting and maintaining a successful 4-H Program. This is also true if you plan on implementing a successful camping program in your county. Preparing teens to serve as Camp Counselors during your summer camps is very important in maintaining a well structured, safe environment for them to learn, be safe, and have fun. There’s no “one fix all” method in implementing a counselor training program, however there are some common areas that deserve attention when you begin to develop a training program for your county. Listed below are some helpful tips that will assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining a successful counselor training program..
*Start Your Training Early
*Share Expectations/Standards
*Community Service
*Team Building, Team Building,
*Give Counselors the Training They Need
By implementing the steps mentioned above, you will begin to see a more productive week of camp from your counselors.
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Heather C. Kent
Northwest District Regional Specialized Agent
NW District Office
3925 Highway 71
Marianna, FL 32446
hckent@ufl.edu
850-394-9124
The goal of the 4-H Science Initiative is to address America’s critical need for more scientists and engineers by engaging 1 Million youth by 2013. 4-H has been teaching science for the last 100 years, but the need for youth to be scientifically literate has never been more important to our nation. Studies reveal that science literacy among school-age children in the United States is among the lowest in the developed world and the problem is worsening. To ensure global competitiveness, we must act now to prepare the next generation of scientists and leaders.
As 4-H volunteers, you can help us prepare youth to be more scientifically literate, no matter what your educational background or project interest area. Over the last few years, educators have realized that science, by its nature, inquiry-based. Inquiry is an approach to learning that utilizes the rational powers and scientific thinking processes to explore and learn knowledge and skills. Learning through inquiry is very different than the way most of us were taught as youth. For starters, inquiry implies action on the part of the learner- youth seek answers to questions, and are not given answers. This means, that volunteers do not need to be subject matter specialists, they just need to be naturally curious and know enough about the scientific process to help youth conduct their own investigations to answer a question, solve a problem, or test a hypothesis.
4-H Science combines the strengths of the do-reflect-apply learning model (which is the foundation of all 4-H programs) with the inquiry-learning model. If you are already familiar with the do-reflect-apply method, then you will be able to teach science inquiry with a little practice.�
1.When introducing a topic or lesson, begin by asking an open ended-question about what the learners already know (or think they know) about the topic. Make a list of questions they have or what they would like to learn.�
2.Ask the youth to form a question or hypothesis on the topic
3.Ask youth to design an investigation about the topic- ahead of time, gather supplies or arrange for access to supplies that they might need, books, or other resources on the topic. Allow ample time for youth to conduct their investigation or experiment.�
4.Ask the youth to make observations or collect data about their investigation, and then help them analyze the results.
5.Ask the youth to communicate the results of their investigation and ask them to apply those results to a real world situation.
6.Ask the youth if they are satisfied with their results. If not, help them design a new investigation to address their question and begin the process over again.
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Jackson County 4-H Agent
Jackson County Extension Office
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 3
Marianna, FL 32448
brk09@ufl.edu
(850) 482-9620
(850) 482-9287
Do you find yourself struggling to get your 4-H club going at the start of a new 4-H year? The turnout for your May club meeting was wonderful, but September rolls around and it is just you and the crickets. Here are some ideas to help you stay connected with club members over the summer and ensure that everyone will be ready for a new 4-H year.
•Set a time and a place for your September meeting and get the word out. Share this information with club members, parents and your 4-H Agent before adjourning the May club meeting.
•Inform club members and parents of local summer 4-H programs. Day and residential camps are great opportunities for youth to stay in touch with their fellow 4-H club members.
•Use social media to keep in touch. Most county 4-H Programs are using Facebook. Ask your 4-H Agent to post summertime “shout outs” to your club members.
by John Wells | Jul 1, 2011
Sherri Kraeft
Wakulla County 4-H Agent
Wakulla County 4-H
84 Cedar Avenue
Crawfordville, FL 32327
sjkraeft@ufl.edu
850-926-3931
850-926-8789
As summer quickly is upon us, we are all looking forward to summer camps and cookouts, fun in the sun and ways to spend time with our families and fellow 4-Hers. In this issue of the newsletter, we are giving volunteers, parents and others creative ideas for how to have fun this summer with 4-H. Even though each county program differs in what they offer during the summer months, we all want to stay connected and active throughout the summer and into the fall. While it is getting hotter by the minute, we in Wakulla County 4-H are excited to be offering four new day camping programs and we have just conducted a successful fundraiser called Jam 4 Camp. Be sure to read all about how to involve teen counselors and don’t miss the information on how to teach science without actually being a scientist; really, it’s easy!
While you enjoy your summer activities, also don’t forget to be safe in the sun and be aware of some of the common hazards and warning signs for dehydration and sun-related illnesses. You can find more information about sun safety and protection at http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2006/06/sun-safety-for-babies-and-children.html and http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/actionsteps.html. Have a safe and sunny summer!
