District 10 1999 4-H & Youth Development Annual Report
	Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
	The YE$ (Youth Entrepreneurship) Task Force was organized in Bandera County with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Bandera ISD area business leaders and SBDC. The Task Force secured funding and organized a 5-day youth entrepreneur day camp targeted at middle school students. Participants learned about advertizing, budgeting, business legalities, computer design, business plans, entrepreneurship, investments, marketing and operating a business. Carefest: 4-H Day Camp for youth-at-risk is a collaborative effort among various agencies and organizations in Kendall County that support limited resource families. In its 11th year of operation, Carefest is sponsored by the 4-H and Youth committee and funded by the Boerne Optimist Club. This year 40 youth, 12 teen leaders and 18 adults including Miss Rodeo Texas and Miss Teen Rodeo Texas were involved in Carefest. Comal County welcomed a new 4-H project club this year. The
	4-H Llama club began this year with eleven 4-H members taking on Llama projects under the guidance of several volunteer leaders from the South Central Llama Association. This club meets regularly to learn about llamas and their care as well to participate in regional shows and competitions. Utilizing the Better Living for Texans (BLT) Food and Nutrition program, Guadalupe County was involved in implementing six major educational activities in an effort to improve the health and well-being of limited resource families living in the county. 390 limited resource youth increased and/or enhanced their knowledge of nutrition according to the Food Guide Pyramid, while participating in the following programs/activities: 1.) Super Snacks - youth learned how to tell if a ready-made snack was high or low in fat without reading the label; 2.) Pyramid Power! - youth learned the 5 major food groups, number of servings needed from each and six key nutrients; 3.) Ice Cream in a Bag - youth learned about the Food Guide Pyramid, played "Nutrition Bowl" to reinforce the concepts of nutrition and experienced making vanilla ice cream in a bag to encourage them to eat calcium rich foods.
	District 4-H and Youth Development Highlights: Twenty-one Southwest District 10 4-Her's received at Texas 4-H Roundup conducted on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station over $83,000.00 in scholarships in 1999. 8231 adult volunteers in Southwest District 10 are the reason that our youth development is such a success. Volunteers received training in youth development, leadership and in numerous project areas. The best training volunteers receive is the "on the job training" they get from working directly with kids. Research estimates that volunteers contribution of time is worth $13.24 an hour or almost $80,000.00 a year. If you ask a 4-H member or a volunteer, they will tell you the contribution they make is priceless. 117 Senior age 4-H members participated in 7 hours of health education training at District Leadership Lab. Program efforts were made available through a $2000 initiative grant. Participants estimated they would reach 1844 individuals with alcohol educational programs, 535 individuals with tobacco educational programs and 1560 individuals with sports nutrition educational programs. Targeted audiences included: 4-H members, classmates, student council, family members, elementary students and friends. Many of the responses to who your target audience would be was - other teens. Each of counties also completed County Planning Report forms and 13 of those planned programs using the alcohol resources, 2 planned programs using the smoking resources and 1 planned program using the sports nutrition information. Overall, District Lab was a huge success. Evaluation Outcome: Evaluations completed by each participant showed the following things were learned: 62% of the participants stated that information learned at Lab would influence future behavior in relation to drinking and driving and using spit tobacco. These two topics seem to have the greatest impact on the youth participants. 325 youth, volunteer leaders and agents attended the 1999 Mega meeting. The day consisted of 13 project development committee meetings, Volunteer Leaders Association meeting, Council meeting and 4 training sessions on how to training teams for judging events for volunteer leaders. The day was a huge success. Each committee and organization made plans for a very busy 1999- 2000. 4-H members ages 11-13 from Bandera, Bexar, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Medina, Travis and Wilson participated in the Junior Leadership Extravaganza in October at Curington Elementary in Boerne. The leadership fun day was sponsored by the District 10 4-H Council. The activities for the day included six educational workshops taught by senior age 4-H members. Training topics included: Health and Safety, Leaders for Tomorrow, 4-H Opportunities, Past to Present, Speaking Your Mind, and Fun 4 You. The activity was a huge success. The leadership skills gained by the 4-Her's participating will be utilized in their counties to provide motivation and enthusiasm to other 4-H members, assist adult volunteers with leadership responsibilities in the 4-H club, project group or activity groups, recruit 4-H members and leaders, assist 4-H members individually and in groups, help plan and conduct regular club meetings and activities, and demonstrate good leadership qualities and serve as role models for other 4-H members. District 10 Spectra, sponsored by the District Volunteer Leaders Association, has been a very successful three-day camp for senior age 4-H members to explore career options. This year 126 youth participated in the following career tract training: Communication and Mass Media, Criminal Justice, Clothing and Art, Medical, Vocational Trades, Veterinary Technology and Wildlife Management. Youth are given the opportunity to visit with specialists in different careers, learn what education is required, salaries, what the job entails, visit actual sites and see the day today operations of some careers. Participants at Spectra also participated in a challenge ropes course. The purpose of the Texas 4-H Project Development Teams are to provide leadership and direction to designated project areas. Teams address items such as curriculum, educational workshops, contests, financial and human resources, and make sure that youth development priorities and competencies are addressed through the project. District 10 has representation on the following committees: Clothing - Charla Bading, Abby Wells (Y), Penny Alexander (A), Michael Rothe (Y), Susie Rothe (A); Horse - Missy Ansley (A); Dog - Deanna Banda (A); Food & Nutrition - Nathanial Banda (Y), Dot Harborth (A), Patrick McCaslin (Y) , Chris Harborth (Y); Sheep & Goats - Rick Machen (A), Rebekah Sinclair (Y); Beef - Gary Warner (A); FCS Umbrella - Marcy Youngman (A), Steven Youngman (Y), Janet Hees (A), Sarah Hees (Y); Horticulture - Cory Wells (Y), Nancy Wells (A), Kelsey Spillman (Y); Swine - Jana Muery (A). Britany Muery (Y), Brenda Schuh (A), Tracie Schuh (Y), Justin Homann (Y); Entomology - Cynthia Casper (A); Computer - Tully Rowe (A), Jason Rowe (Y); Advisory Committee - Abby Harris (Y), Bill Botard (A). To increase awareness of 4-H opportunities, members of the Hays County 4-H and Youth committee set up a wood science and 4-H promotional booth as part of the America's Promise National Youth Summit held in San Marcos. An estimated 450 youth visited the booth with 150 of those being involved in a hands-on woodcraft making 4-H experience! Bexar County sponsored a three day 4-H Holiday Camp; 4-H Outreach Efforts to Inner City Youth in November. Community Centers were invited to bring children to the Helotes 4-H Activity Center for a day of 4-H project activities. Centers that accepted the invitation included: Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, the Children's Shelter, San Antonio Parks & Recreation, Terra Genesis Housing, the Madonna Center and three YMCA branches. The six hundred children who attended the program rotated through 4-H projects led by 4-H teen leaders. The projects represented included: Aerospace, Energy, Arts & Crafts, Horticulture, Food & Nutrition, Natural Resources, Livestock, Consumer Education, Rabbits and Dog training. This year saw the start of the Elgin Life Skills 4-H club in Bastrop County. Its members are primarily composed of special needs individuals from the Elgin ISD Special Education Department. Target projects will be horticulture and foods and nutrition - projects that will increase the aptitude of these individuals to function in our fast paced society. Additionally, other 4-H clubs will provide teen project leaders in support of this new club. The Elgin ISD teacher is working with Bastrop ISD teachers to make this a county-wide club with all school districts being involved. In Comal County 337 sixth grade science students at Canyon intermediate school learned the importance of hand washing as part of their study about microorganisms. They learned about cell division, how a cell enlarges, splits into two, and grows as a result of exposure to proper temperatures and time to allow these changes to occur. The M&M candy is used to illustrate the concept of a thick walled spore within the bacteria cell. The outside candy shell protects the chocolate inside as the thick walled spore protects the bacteria. They also learned abut the sources and symptoms of ingested foods that are contaminated with five different types of bacteria and how to prevent exposure to these bacteria. Throughout the presentation the importance of hand washing is emphasized. Two students are then asked to volunteer to wash their hands after using the Glow germ lotion as a lead in to a discussion on what is the correct was to wash our hands. Students are tested at a later date over the information given in the presentation. We're Into Money - The High School Financial Planning Program in Travis and Bandera counties reached over 1000 students, teaching critical concepts in financial management. The curriculum focuses on goal setting, financial management including planning, spending, investing, budgeting and using credit wisely. Over 600 teens also participated in Financial Fairways - a credit college at a local mail in which they practiced skills in financial management. The Expanded Nutrition Program - Youth (ENP-Y) in Bexar and Travis counties reached 20,883 limited resource families and youth through schools as an enrichment of the curriculum, after-school care programs, neighborhood groups, recreation centers, summer day camps and educational displays at community health fairs. The objectives of the Expanded Nutrition Program are to assist limited resource families and youth in acquiring knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behavior necessary to adopt nutritionally sound diets, and to contribute to their personal development and the improvement of total family diet and nutritional well-being. Consumer Education projects were taught in Bastrop, Bandera, Comal and Travis counties reaching 847 young people. Smart consumers should: 1.) Learn as much as you can about what you want to buy before you buy; 2.) Watch for sales; 3.) Watch for differences in quality; 4.) Consider how you will use the item; 5.)
	Include "hidden cost" when making your decision; 6.) Read the label; 7.) Consider the maintenance required; 8.) Deal only with sellers and manufacturers who will stand behind what they sell; and 9.) Think before you buy. Plant Pals is designed to provide developmentally appropriate horticultural experiences for children ages 5 through 8. 1548 youth were reached in Medina and Travis counties utilizing this Science and Technology curriculum that allows students to take advantage of their curiosity and excitement for learning by engaging in this hands-on horticultural experiences. Three hundred thirty five students in Kerr, Comal and Travis County learned the "3 R's of Trash -- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle." Through this curriculum students acquire an awareness of the problems associated with solid waste, their role in contributing to these problems, and gain a basic understanding of a four-pronged approach to solid waste management.
	County 4-H and Youth Development Highlights: Camp Creations was held in Hays County to teach young people sewing skills and to recruit new 4-H members. As a result of the camp, one youth entered her first garment in the Hays County Livestock Show Home Skills division and won Reserve Champion. She now plans to continue sewing through the 4-H program. In Kerr County, a new coalition has formed as a result of the Texas Community Futures Forum process. One of the key TCFF issues identified was "Safe and Healthy Activities for Youth and Families." The Coalition for Safe and Healthy Youth and Families has now formed and meets monthly to collaborate on educational programs and services in Kerr County. "Kerr Kids" is a publication that currently lists all the activities for kids during the summer. This effort will be expanded to include information year around. Another exciting development will be a web page designed to keep current activities and opportunities listed for citizens. Empowering Teen Leaders involves teens in an in-depth leadership program which focuses on communication and critical thinking skills, leadership styles, team building, setting, multiculturalism, empowerment, government awareness and community service. Teens in Travis county participated in 20 hours of classroom training, presentations by elected officials, ROPES initiative training course, correspondence with elected officials, 40 hours of community service, adult mentors program and a Government in Action Day. The major community service project for the ELT group was "Hands on Housing", a city-wide home repair and cleanup project in east Austin. ELT teens worked on three homes - painting, cleaning , installing cabinets and lawn cleanup and maintenance. Over 650 third grade students in Bastrop, Gillespie, Kimble, Edwards, and Caldwell counties increased their knowledge and understanding of Texas Natural Resources through their participation in a 4-H school curriculum enrichment program, "Wildlife Success Stories and Endangered Species." The project included an interactive computer program, videos, lesson plans and a hands-on exhibit to enhance awareness of natural resources. Medina County 4-H and Youth committee sponsored two "safety" events this year. First in conjunction with Progressive Farmer Magazine a Farm Safety Day Camp was held with 96 youth participating. Second, a Hunter Education course was offered with 38 passing in hunter safety. Utilizing the expertise from groups like the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Local Water Boards, Extension Specialist, LCRA and School District 9396 youth in Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Sutton and Travis were reached with Environmental Education programs. The methods used to reach these participants were after school programs, curriculum enrichment, summer camps, conferences and school conservation days. Youth learn general studies of human life and its relationship to other life forms on earth and the physical, biological, and chemical environments. This includes knowing about and caring for the environment and applying this concern through responsible action for the rest of our lives. In addition to Horticulture being a very popular project among
	4-Her's in District 10, it also is utilized in School Classroom Garden programs, Children's Day in the Garden, Fall Garden Fair, Juvenile Justice gardening programs, Community Gardens, and After School programs. 34,168 youth were reached in Bexar, Travis, Wilson, Medina, Guadalupe, Bastrop, Bandera, Gillespie, Gonzales, Kinney, Kimble and Uvalde Counties with Gardening and Horticulture projects. Youth learned the impact of the vegetable and fruit industry on the Texas economy and the major crops grown in Texas and in their counties. In support of this project, District 10 has a Vegetable Show annually. Youth can exhibit produce that they have grown at home and gain additional knowledge on gardening. Something's Fishy is a multi-media module targeting fourth graders with information on aquatic science, aquaculture, sport fishing, water quality and water conservation. In Kimble and Travis counties 137 youth participated in the Something's Fishy module which consists of a display, computer program, lesson activities and water test kits. In 1998-99, the Nixon/Smiley 4-H Club in Gonzales County exceeded fifty members. Two leaders were recruited and trained on Club Management to assist in dividing the club and providing more opportunities for more youth. As a result there are now three clubs with a total of over 80 members (62% membership increase). Bexar County HOT Salsa Program: Job Training for Urban Youth started as a way to introduce job and education opportunities to teens at he Southton Correctional Facility of Bexar County. The teens responded so well to the learning modules on Horticulture, Food & Nutrition and Small Business, that word of the program soon spread. Word of the great tasting salsa product developed during the program also spread until Bexar County received funding to professionally package it for sale. Funds were also donated to purchase new hands-on learning materials, curricula and equipment. The program will be offered at five urban sites this spring. As part of their learning, youth will become distributors of their own "Original Chili Head Salsa" for grocery stores. Talking with T.J. - Teamwork series is designed to teach 2nd - 4th graders teamwork skills as planning, getting along with others when playing together, accepting others who different and helping their teammates. In Guadalupe, Comal and Travis county this 6-week series was used with 760 limited resource minority youth. Results from the youth who completed evaluations at the end of the series indicated an increase in knowledge about teamwork skills in one or more areas as a direct result of participating in the Talking with T.J. - Teamwork series. Developing these teamwork skills will enable these youth to get along with others when playing or working together. Youth also reported development of skills to help manage their anger and communicate effectively through the TJ Conflict Resolution series. Over 46,000 youth participated in school curriculum enrichment programs, "Ag in the Classroom" and "Food and Fiber" in Bandera, Blanco, Caldwell, Bexar, Guadalupe, Comal, Edwards, Gonzales, Medina, Uvalde and Gillespie counties. Agribusiness is the world's biggest and most important industry. Everyone who eats, lives in houses and wears clothing depends on agribusiness. Through this hands-on program, youth learn how agriculture effects their daily life, the economic impact of agriculture on the Texas economy and careers related to agriculture. Over 2000students in Kimble, Hays, Guadalupe, and Comal participated in the 4-H curriculum enrichment program, "Hatching in the Classroom". Youth experienced first-hand how to build an incubator, the stage of embryonic development and how to care for the chicks once they hatched.
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