Youth Development (Bernalillo County)

Operation Great Pumpkin-County 4-H Home Economist worked with the Urban 4-H agent and the Cesar Chavez Community Center to plan and organize Operation Great Pumpkin. Various youth organizations from across the county came together to provide children with a safe place to go on Halloween. Agents and county council representatives spent four hours talking with youth organizations, parents, and youth about the benefits and activities in the 4-H program while manning a physical fitness relay race. 4-H members learned public speaking, communication skills, teamwork and how to give clear directions. While community persons learned about physical fitness, how to have fun, and about the 4-H program. The event reached approximately 1500 community members.

Children’s Water Festival-County 4-H Home Economist work with other county agents and the Middle Rio Grande Children’s Water Festival committee to put on and organize a water festival open to Albuquerque and Rio Rancho’s 4th grade students. During the planning process, the agent served as a committee member to give assistance and suggestions with youth activities. During the two day event the agent served as a workshop assistant for the “Long Haul”. 4th grade students learned about water and the water cycle. They also learned how to conserve water and why water is important. As a result 4-H Agents will be presenting a new agriculture related workshop at next years festival

Lights on After School-County 4-H Home Economist worked with Urban 4-H Agent and Youth Forum to plan and organize Lights on Afterschool Forum. Various youth organizations from across the county came together to showcase what is available to parents and youth after/outside of school. Agents and county council representatives spent three hours talking with youth organizations, parents, and youth about the benefits and activities in the 4-H program. Approximately 175 community members were present. 4-H members learned public speaking and communication skills while community persons learned all they needed to know about the 4-H program.

Bernalillo County 4-H Open House-County 4-H Home Economist worked with council officers to plan and put on Bernalillo County’s 4-H Open House during National 4-H Week. Council Officers spent two months in preparation for this event which included: making road signs, practicing skits, and making/decorating stage decorations. The county council officers opened the Open House with a skit about what 4-H was, who could join, and what they would gain from joining. During the hour long event members of the community visited with representatives from different clubs and participated in activities hosted by individual clubs. Clubs were able to seek new enrollment while people from the community were able to learn all they wanted to know about the 4-H program in Bernalillo County. As a result members were able to work on their public speaking and communication skills and introduced the 4-H program to 140 people from the community. Several members of the community commented on the manners and speaking skills of the 4-H youth working the different tables; they were impressed with the amount of knowledge they had and how they presented themselves at all times.

Tamara Rowland has signed on to support Youth Development within Bernalillo County.