Youth Development

Carlos Valdez has signed on to support Youth Development within Los Alamos County.

27 students at Chi chil tah completed the High School Financial Planning Program. The student learned to set goals, analyze information, personal financial responsibilities, career opportunities, and work and money. Other topics covered included education, entrepreneurship,cost of living, and budget. Mock situations were used a learning tools in budgeting, cost of living and entrepreneurship in jewlery making. Evaluation showed that the lessons used pertained to their daily lives and they showed growth in keeping records during mock situations. 27 students recieved their certificates and a celebration was held following the year long curriculum. Alvina James parent educator for BIA Headstart indicated that the students gained useful information and it was taught to them in a way that they could use it every day. Modifying the lessons to pertain to them was very useful for their understanding.
The program was started in October and continued through May.

Senior Leader Retreat was attended by three of our seniors this year. They participated in the games and other workshops designed to teach ladership skills. These skills are brought back to the clubs and shared with the members. Skills in all areas of 4-H were covered. The 4-H members always enjoy attending SLR and the activities.

The home economist dedicated time to maintaining and supporting 4-H club leaders and members. At the end of the 4-H program year there are 72 members [62(W) 4(H) 6(A); 18(M) 54(F)]and 15 volunteer leaders [16(W); 3(M) 13(F)].

4-H members and leaders had an opportunity to participate in a variety of county-wide 4-H activities. Advertisement for both activities was done via the 4-H newsletter and e-mail reminders to leaders. These activities included:
• The purpose of the Los Alamos County 4-H Council is to coordinate and plan collaborative projects, determine County 4-H policies, provide means of leadership training and to aid in the educational development of 4-H club members. Sixty members and leaders [58(W) 2(A); 13(M) 47(F)]attended the five Council meeting held during the year. After three years of rotating members to lead the meetings, six 4-H Council Officers [6(W); 2(M) 4(F)] were elected.
• Quarterly 4-H Newsletters, written by the home economist are mailed to all 4-H members and leaders. The newsletter keeps club informed of upcoming events and activities as well as provides a venue to recognize members for their accomplishments.
• The Annual 4-H family picnic was held on October 1 (National 4-H Club Week Sunday). Twenty-six 4-H members, leaders and family members, [20(W) 1(H) 5(A); 11(M) 15(F)] representing three 4-H clubs, attended.
• One club set up a window display on the 4-H program, at the public library. The display was up during the month of October and was created in honor of National 4-H Club Week (October 1-7).
• Eleven 4-H members [9(W) 2(A); 5(M) 5(F)] and five Cloverbud members [4(W) 1(A); 2(M) 3(F) representing two 4-H clubs submitted end of year record books. Participation increased by 184% from 2005-2006.
• One Los Alamos club created “Super 4-H”er” for the Los Alamos Scarecrow contest on display on Central Avenue.
• Pumpkin Carving – Twenty one members [19(w) 2(A); 10(M( 11(F)] carved Halloween pumpkins for the Los Alamos Pumpkin Glow. Members learned the history of jack-o-lanterns, techniques for pumpkin carving and developed their creativity through their pumpkin carving design.
• The Annual 4-H Awards Program was held November 16, 2006 at Fuller Lodge. 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. Seven 4-H members [7(W); 2(M) 5(F)], representing two clubs were involved in the actual awards presentation. Fifty eight 4-H’ers [50(W) 3(H) 5(A); 17(M) 41(F)] and fourteen 4-H leaders [12(W) 1(H) 1(A); 2(M) 12(F)] representing six clubs received awards. Refreshments and fellowship followed the program.
• The Los Alamos County 4-H Council provided “farolitos” for the annual Los Alamos Winterfest activities. Over 700 “farolitos” were assembled, set up and lit for the December 2 activities. All five clubs assisted in the project by folding bags. A total of 85 hours was donated in setting up and lighting the farolitos. The Saturday night activities cumulated with a light parade, farolito display and tree lighting ceremony.
• Two 4-H members representing two 4-H clubs participated in the Senior Leadership Retreat held January 19-21 in Albuquerque. 4-H’ers participated in leadership workshops and activities planned and conducted by the State 4-H Ambassadors and Diplomats. The 4-H agent served as advisor to the county delegation as well as the State 4-H Diplomat team.
• State 4-H Dog School, April 27-29 in Albuquerque, nine participated [9(W); 9(F)].
• Teen Get-Away, April 20-22 Camp Inlow, one participated [1(W); 1(M)].
• State 4-H Horse School, June 11-15, in Albuquerque, two participated [1(W) 1(H); 1(M) 1(F).]
• Los Alamos County 4-H Contests – Nine 4-H members [7(W) 2(A); 6(M) 3(F)] and four leaders [3(W) 1(A); 4(F)] participated in contests. Members competed in Presentations, Public Speaking-Poetry and Favorite Food Show.
• Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo Parade. The 4-H float entry highlighted the six 4-H clubs in Los Alamos County, as well as project opportunities. Members in the dog project walked along side the float with their dogs, and members in the horse project, rode their horses and carried the 4-H flag. As a give-a-way item, 4-H pencils were distributed to children along the parade route. Leadership for the effort was provided by two 4-H leaders. Approximately 30 4-H’ers participated in the float activity.
• Los Alamos County Fair. Twenty two 4-H members representing four 4-H clubs exhibited 89 indoor and poultry exhibits. There was a 10% increase in indoor exhibits from 2006.
• National 4-H Week Proclamation – Five 4-H members and leaders attended the October 2nd Los Alamos County Council meeting where the week of October 7-13 as National 4-H Week.
• New Mexico State Fair -- Twelve 4-H members representing three 4-H clubs exhibited 30 exhibits. There was a 53% increase in state fair exhibits from 2006. Twenty seven or 90% of the thirty exhibits received first, second or third place awards.

Cloverbud 4-H program is designed for children ages 5-8. The program offers hands-on, learning activities that allow children to explore art, plants and animals, science and the environment. As a feeder program to the regular 4-H program, the 4-H agents have begun to offer this program in the community. Twelve (12) children [10(W) 2(H); 5(M) 7(F)] have enrolled. The program meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3:00 (school early dismissal day). Along with exploring various subject matters, children learn how to conduct meetings and parliamentary procedure.

4-H Enrichment efforts continue throughout the year. The following are program efforts which the home economist provided leadership.

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit – This program is a nutrition and fitness field trip experience for fifth grade students. Aimed at combating childhood obesity and teaching children about healthy lifestyles, the project is a collaboration of Extension Agents from Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe Counties. One hundred thirty (131) Los Alamos students representing three elementary schools participated. [94(W) 1(AI) 26(H) 10(A); 64(M) 67(F)] Fifth grade students rotate between four, 45 minutes workshops – MyPyramid, Vary Your Veggie and Focus on Fruits, Power Up with Exercise and Fun with Food. Workshops are aligned to the NM Hath Education Standards and Benchmarks. In addition to the workshops, students are provided with a student-parent handout, developed by extension agents, which contained information and activities that reinforced the workshop topics. Teachers were provided with a resource kit containing a nutrition curriculum as well as additional health and nutrition resources. Upon completion of the evaluation process each classroom is provide with an exercise kit containing physical activity booklet and jump ropes, flying discs, exercise bands and hula hoops for each student. Pre and post tests were administered. For detailed information and results on the program see Children, Youth and Families at Risk-Sustainable Community Grant Project: Just Be It! Healthy and Fit (Los Alamos County)

Just Be It! Healthy and Fit – an in-depth nutrition and fitness education program was conducted in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe in two classrooms in one school in each county. Forty six (46) [36(W) 8(H) 2(A); 20(M) 26(F)] fifth grade students from Chamisa Elementary participated in the monthly educational endeavor. The Just Be It – Healthy and Fit project coordinator provided the nutrition related lesson. As the parent component to this program, a series of eight newsletters, reinforcing the lessons taught to the students, was sent home each month with the students. For detailed information and results on the program see Children, Youth and Families at Risk-Sustainable Community Grant Project: Just Be It! Healthy and Fit (Los Alamos County)

MyPyramid – upon request of the Life Skills teacher at Los Alamos High School a program on MyPyramid was provided to two classrooms. The program covered the components of the food guide along with information on nutrients, menu planning and label reading. A total of 50 students [32(W) 16(H) 2(A); 26(M) 24(F)] were in attendance.

Hand Washing – the home economist provided the high school Family and Consumer Science instructor [1(H); 1(F)] educational aids to teach the concept of the importance of hand washing. The materials were used in three classes for a total of seventy five (75) [60(W) 15(H); 25(M), 50(F)] students participated.

Seed Art – during the annual “Children’s Arts and Crafts Festival,” seventy four children [67(W) 10(H) 15(A); 33(M) 59(F)] participated in preparing mother’s day pictures utilizing a variety of seeds and beans. The activity was coordinated by 4-H members and leaders from five 4-H clubs. Twenty (20) youth and adult volunteers [18(W) 2(A); 3(M) 17(F)] assisted. Upon completion of the artwork, children were provided with a 4-H pencil and a brochure on the 4-H program.

Agents across the Southwest District participated in Southwest District Leadership training. This training was developed to provide a training opportunity for County Council officers, the 2 day workshop focused on leadership, communication, teamwork, public speaking and goal setting. Youth were evaluated using a pre – post questionnaire. Twenty-two youth attended rating the workshop as excellent and most thought that the workshop was of great value. All youth were to go back to respective counties to provide workshops for other members. All agents attending provided a workshop and also valued the experience, gaining feedback for goals for the county 4-H program.