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Impact Report

For plan Youth Development (Los Alamos County)
Date October 31, 2011, 7:38 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Youth Development Los Alamos County 4-H Club enrollment increased 192% with the establishment of two new clubs. There were 22 new members (63%), 6 members who have been in 4-H for 2-3 years (17%), and 7 members who have been in 4-H for a least 4 years (20%) for a total enrollment of 35 members. Objective # 1 – Camps, Workshops, Clinics & Trainings: • Three 4-H members and one 4-H leader participated in Home Economics School. 100% of youth reported an increase in knowledge in food preservation skills as well as an improving life skills related to decision making, cooperation, teamwork and wise use of resources. • Home Economics Skill-a-thon Contest training – Five 4-H members and five 4-H leaders participated in a training session. The goal of the training was to introduce members to the contest, thus increase participation at county and district competitions. Objective # 2 – Competitive Events • Four 4-H members submitted end of year record books. Record books provide 4-H members with an avenue to report on the life skills they have mastered as well as demonstrate their level of belonging, generosity and independence throughout the 4-H program year. • Los Alamos County Fair. Sixteen 4-H members exhibited 16 indoor exhibits. 46% of County 4-H youth showed an increase in knowledge and skills related to home economics, creative arts, horticulture and personal development as evidenced by quality baking products, , products exhibited, and ribbons awarded. • New Mexico State Fair -- Five 4-H members exhibited five exhibits. 80% of the county exhibits received first, place awards. The Junior Master Gardeners set up a Los Alamos County 4-H Booth – which highlighted their vegetable gardening project. Objective # 3 -- Awards & Recognition • An Annual 4-H Awards Program for the 2009-2010 year was held January 8th at White Rock Town Hall. The purpose of the program was to recognize 4-H members who completed 4-H record books and to recognize 4-H members and leaders for the number of years they’ve been involved in the program. Outstanding 4-H youth and volunteers were also recognized. Twelve (12) 4-H’ers and seven 4-H leaders received awards. Bruch, provided by the 4-H families in attendance, was a new offering at this Saturday morning program. Twenty one members, leaders and parents were in attendance. Objective # 4 – Community Service • 100% of local club members participate in service projects at the county level. • A County Community Service Project was the creation of “4-H Scarecrow” for the Los Alamos Scarecrow contest. The scarecrow contest is sponsored by the Los Alamos Arts Council and is open to any community organization. The Council was awarded the Sleepy Hollow Award consisting of a certificate and cash award. Youth increased knowledge and skills relate to generosity and service learning, contributions to group efforts and responsible citizenship as evidenced by willingness to serve, appreciation of service opportunities and youth assuming leadership roles related to service. Results were reported by club leaders and in member record books. • A second community service project -- Family Festival – Decorating 4-H Cookies – Nine 4-H youth and ten adult volunteers provided leadership to this annual event geared towards young families. One hundred forty (140) youngsters participated in the “Decorating 4-H Cookies” activity. Children decorated four leaf clover cookies, made by 4-H members, with a variety of decorating toppings. The activity was coordinated by the home economist. The Family Festival is sponsored by Family Strengths Network Adult Volunteer Leadership Development Seven new adult volunteer leaders completed the screening process and enrolled as leaders in Los Alamos County. Eight adult volunteer leaders reenrolled for a total enrollment of 15 leaders in the county. Time was dedicated to work on Home Economics Skill-a-thon Contest rules and regulations for the Northeast 4-H District. This was a new contest to the northeast district and the home economist served as superintendent of the Home Economics Skill-a-thon contest for the Northeast District 4-H Contests held June 21-23 in Raton. Sixteen 4-H’ers participated in the contest. Just Be It! Healthy and Fit 4-H Leader’s Guide was adapted from the Just Be It! Healthy and Fit healthy lifestyles curriculum the home economists from Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties wrote. The objective of the leader’s guide is help 4-H leaders put movement and fun into 4-H meetings! Through a variety of games and activities the guide provides leaders with ways to teach youth to move, play and interact positively at 4-H meetings. Leaders also learned quick and easy recipes for nutritious snacks kids will love! This guide was presented at the New Mexico 4-H Leader’s Forum where nine 4-H leaders participated and at the New Mexico 4-H Conversation were approximately 65 4-H Agents attended. A 4-H leader recruitment brochure is being created for use by Extension offices throughout New Mexico. The 4-H agents are serving on the Volunteer Recruitment committee and were tasked to create this brochure. Target date for completion is Fall 2011. The home economist served as judge for the Rio Arriba County Fair held August 4-6 in Abiquiu. She judged the baked foods. 4-H Enrichment Expansion Efforts The home economist continues to meet with home economists from Santa Fe and Rio Arriba Counties to work on Just Be It – Healthy and Fit, a regional nutrition related school enrichment program being offered to fifth graders from the three counties. Time was dedicated to the components of the program: nutrition and fitness field trip, in-depth education program and parent education component. A total of 232 fifth grade students from all of Alamos Elementary schools participated in the in-depth classroom education program scheduled for twice a month during the 2010-2011 school year. Two hundred forty six (246) students from 11 classrooms in five elementary schools and 11 teachers participated in the 2011 Field Trip. For detail description of the program and results refer to Children, Youth, and Families at Risk-Sustainable Community Grant Project: Just Be It! Healthy and Fit plan of work. • Los Alamos Middle School Lunch Hour Fun Fair – students visually learned about adverse consequences and the extent of energy drink consumption among children and adolescents. “A Risky Kick” provided information on how energy drinks, frequently containing high and unregulated amounts of caffeine, have been reported in association with serious adverse effects, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults with seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavioral disorders or those who take certain medications. Approximately 125 students participated. Goals for the display were to have students learn that energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit, and many ingredients are understudied and not regulated. The known and unknown pharmacology of agents included in such drinks, combined with reports of toxicity, raises concern for potentially serious adverse effects in association with energy-drink use. • Energy Drinks – A Risky Kick –display was also used at the Chamisa Elementary School Science Night. Students and parents visually learned about adverse consequences and the extent of energy drink consumption among children and adolescents. Approximately forty students and their parents participated. • The home economist was asked by the Pojoaque Intermediate School to participate in their annual Career Fair. She utilized the Eat Smart, Play Hard display along with a Spin-Smart Nutrition Game she developed to illustrate the types of education home economists provide in the community. Twenty eight families with approximately students and their parents participated. Students played the nutrition game and were provided with animated nutrition worksheets to complete. Parents were provided with a BeWell booklet.