June 2009 Archives

One of the critical elements of positive youth development is a sense of hope for the future.  The importance of this element was re-affirmed this week in July 2009 issue of Pediatrics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics http://aap.org/advocacy/releases/july09studies.htm#teens

Based on a survey of more than 20,000 kids, researchers found that kids who believe they have no future are more likely to engage in risky behaviors and take extreme chances "because they feel hopeless and figure that not much is at stake."  American Indians, blacks and low-income teens--kids who are disproportionately exposed to violence and hardship--were much more likely to believe they would die young.

Contrary to conventional wisdom that suggests that youth take chances because of a sense of invulnerability to harm and an attitude of "it can't happen to me," this study found that risky behavior instead grows out of a sense of fatalism among a surprisingly sizeable number of teens--about 15 percent.  Their risky behavior threatens to turn their fatalism into a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

Over seven years, kids who thought they would die before age 35 were seven times more likely than optimistic children to be subsequently diagnosed with AIDS.  They were also more likely to attempt suicide and get in fights resulting in serious injuries.  It is important to point out that fatalistic kids were NOT more likely to die during the seven year study.

Dr. Iris Borowsky, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, said the magnitude of kids with a negative outlook was eye-opening to the research team.  Adolescence is "a time of great opportunity and for such a large minority of youth to feel like they don't have a long life ahead of them was surprising," Borowsky remarked.  "Asking about this sense of fatalism is probably a pretty important component of one of the ways we can figure out who those kids at greater risk are," said Dr, Johnathan Klein, a University of Rochester (NY) adolescent health expert.

Youth development programs like 4-H must include strategies to foster a sense of hope in the future and a sense of self-determination in young people--that they have influence over life's events and are not at the mercy of luck, fate or whim.  Helping all young people see themselves in a positive future can help reduce risk-taking behaviors such as early initiation into illicit drug use, sexual exploration, fighting, suicide and other behaviors.  Optimism and hope--protective factors that we all need.

Maybe it's because it's summer and that's the season for picnics, barbeques, and cook-outs of all kinds.  Coming July 27th, the Centers for Disease Control is hosting its first ever conference dedicated to combating obesity in Americans.  And no wonder, each year the average American eats--

• 16 pounds of french fries
• 23 pounds of pizza
• 26 pounds of candy

Americans eat an estimated 20 billion hot dogs each year.  And Americans eat about 150 million hot dogs on the 4th of July alone (July is officially dubbed "National Hot Dog Month").  As a side note--In 2007, Joey Chestnut set the world record for hot dog eating by consuming 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes (Source: Nick magazine, July 2209, p.3)

Historians believe that the American hot dog is based on a common German sausage.  Nine percent of all hot dogs eaten in the U.S. are bought at a baseball park.

Maybe because of today's economy, more people are making their own lunch instead of going out at noon.  Not surprisingly, mustard sales are definitely up--as much as 6% at Frenchs--the largest manufacturer of American mustard.  (August 1st is National Mustard Day--celebrate accordingly). 

But it's partner, Heinz ketchup (or catsup), is doing even better--up 9% this year.  But mustard has a special place in history that trumps ketchup--Shakespeare wrote about it in his play, "The Taming of the Shrew."  (Grumio: "What say you to a piece of beef and mustard?"

Yet, as Americans consume more and talk about getting rid of flab, 15% of the world is going hungry and food prices in most developing countries are higher than they were a year ago.

Bon appetit!

Arizona 4-H is committed to providing safe places and caring adults who build caring relationships with young people.  To ensure these positive environments, Arizona 4-H requires a minimum level of training before certifying volunteers as appropriate to work with other people's children.    In the past, we have required the following--

1. Volunteer Application Form
2. References (3 required)

3. Background Check

3. Signed Behavioral Guidelines Form

4. Youth Protection training via face-to-face, video or CD-ROM

Beginning this summer, Arizona 4-H is adding two additional features to basic volunteer training that we feel will make 4-H volunteer even more effective.

• Each potential volunteer will be asked to complete the Western Region's e-learning modules prior to the orientation session. http://4h.wsu.edu/volunteertraining/course.html (password is volunteer). The volunteer needs to add their name and select Arizona (even if they reside in other states) to proceed.  These modules were originally developed by Washington 4-H but have been adopted by the state of the Western Region.
• All volunteers will also receive training on the "Leading Fun & Effective Meetings."  This is a fast-paced, fun training on how to work more effectively with today's kids.  I think you will find this training really fun and even experienced leaders will probably want to attend.

For experienced leaders, we will also be offering a graduated series of trainings called Arizona 4-H Volunteer University.  This training will consist of three levels with fabulous incentive recognition gifts for those who complete each level.  You must complete one level before moving on to the next.  At the completion of all three levels, you can be eligible for "Master 4-H Volunteer" status. 

The first level is already being planned and will cover--

·         Basics of Positive Youth Development

·         The Characteristics of Vibrant 4-H Clubs

·         The Eight Essential Elements of Positive 4-H Youth Development

·         Ages & Stages of Youth Development & Why It Matters, and

·         Bringing Out the Best in Youth

The first training dates have already been set but more are yet to come.  We hope you can plan to attend one in your area and be one of the first to graduate from Arizona 4-H Volunteer University.

I continue to be surprised when I run into someone who asks, "Is 4-H alive and well?" Isn't it fading away because so few people are involved in agriculture?"

Quite the contrary.  And you've heard it before--if you eat, you're involved in agriculture. Moreover, though, 4-H is alive and thriving--as a matter of fact.  Last year, Arizona 4-H touched the lives of more than 100,000 young people all across the state.  The program continues to remain relevant to today's youth because it continues to evolve right along with their interests.  4-H is also one of the only youth development programs where kids can learn how to care for and raise an animal--creating that special bond with a living creature that is an unparalleled experience in other youth programs.  Whether it is raising a chicken, training a dog, caring for a cat or hamster, or raising sheep or pigs--4-H has it all.  And more.  4-H offers more than 100 different projects and activities that are sure to appeal to all kids regardless of their interests, where they live, or their financial situation.  In fact, we even have a project on financial management--a great topic in this economy.

But the results that kids get from 4-H are not just about the projects.  Alumni of 4-H tell us what they really get out of the program is not agricultural knowledge, but life skills such as leadership, public speaking, decision-making, responsibility, caring for community, ethics, and character.

You can read more about today's Arizona 4-H in the latest issue of the Arizona Farm Bureau magazine.  Find out why 4-H is more important than ever.

http://www.azfb.org/news/pdf/AA_06-09.pdf