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| navigate: home: magazine: fall 2001: article | |
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Pennsylvania 4-H Ambassador Conference includes 4-Hers from Poland By Deborah A. Benedetti | ||||||||||||||
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More than 60 4-H members gathered at University Park campus for the 2001 4-H Ambassador Conference. This year’s class of 4-H leaders-in-training came from throughout Pennsylvania and also included a group of eight 4-Hers from Poland. This annual program is designed to train 4-Hers to promote 4-H programming in their local areas, according to Christy Kohler, youth program coordinator for the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education. “We have workshops on public speaking, creating slide presentations, making a good impression, diversity issues and working with the news media,” said Kohler, who chaired the conference. “We also discuss the links between Penn State Cooperative Extension and the University. This year, we are emphasizing the 4-H Centennial, which will be celebrated in 2002.” Lee Hoar, Cooperative Extension agent in Tioga County, said, “This is a good group of kids, and the conference is a marvelous experience for them.” He coordinates 4-H activities in Tioga County and served as a workshop leader for the conference. Katarzyna Boczek, director of the Polish 4-H Foundation, attended the 4-H Ambassador Conference. She brought 15 Polish students, ages 15 to 17, to Pennsylvania to participate in 4-H activities and visit the United States. Eight members of the group attended the conference, while two teens and their interpreter participated in the Northwestern Pennsylvania 4-H Camp and five more participated in environmental-related programs in Armstrong County. They all toured Lancaster and Warren counties, Washington, D.C., the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara. “Working with youth is an investment in our future — the most important investment we can make,” Dr. Theodore R. Alter, associate vice president for outreach, director of Cooperative Extension and associate dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, said. “Through 4-H programming, we are ensuring there will be a future generation of caring and responsible leaders and 4-H volunteers, with appreciation of their communities and respect for all people.” Dr. Marilyn Corbin, assistant director of Penn State Cooperative Extension and state program leader for children, youth and families, added, “We are committed to supporting the activities of 4-H throughout Pennsylvania. This program is of critical importance to Penn State Cooperative Extension’s mission, because 4-H focuses on helping young people (ages 8 to 19) become self-directed, productive and contributing members of a diverse society.” The 4-H Ambassador Conference participants ranged in age from 15 to 18 and were selected to represent their counties based on their interest in promoting 4-H and their ability to speak in front of groups. As part of their participation in the conference, they agree to serve as a 4-H ambassador in their county, giving presentations to civic and community groups, talking to school groups, meeting with 4-H supporters, appearing on television, doing radio interviews and making presentations to other 4-H clubs. The Polish participants will have similar opportunities to return to their home counties and promote 4-H. Their visit to Pennsylvania was supported by funds from the Polish Falcons of America, a national organization based in Pittsburgh, Pa., the Pennsylvania Association of Extension/4-H Agents, A Penn State Endowment, the International Office of the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Warren DeFrees Family Foundation, the Warren 4-H Development Council, the Franklin Village Shop & Save in Armstrong County, Hoss’s Family Steak and Sea House, Quarryville Soroptomist International and individuals in Lancaster, Warren and other counties.
By Deborah A. Benedetti
More than 1,900 young people from throughout Pennsylvania participated in summer 4-H camps. They swam, fished, canoed, kayaked, built and launched rockets, sang and danced and learned about archery, riflery, leather craft, juggling and much more.
“For many campers, this is their first time away from home,” said Ed Horning, Penn State Cooperative Extension agent in Centre County responsible for 4-H and youth development. “They learn to function independently and to get along with other young people.”
Horning directed Camp Brule, a cooperative effort of four counties — Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Snyder. He has been involved with 4-H camps for 27 years. This year, 220 4-Hers from the four counties attended Camp Brule, located in Sullivan County. Two other 4-H groups also use Camp Brule for their summer programs.
“For 4-Hers and teen counselors, the 4-H camping experience builds character, self-confidence and interpersonal skills that last a lifetime,” Dr. Theodore R. Alter, associate vice president for outreach, director of Cooperative Extension and associate dean, College of Agricultural Sciences, said.
Dr. Marilyn Corbin, assistant director of Penn State Cooperative Extension and state program leader for children, youth and families, wholeheartedly agrees with this assessment of 4-H camping.
“We can’t predict what 4-Hers will get out of their 4-H camping experience,” Corbin said, “but we do know they will come home changed in many positive ways as a result of their interactions with other campers, the teen camp counselors, 4-H volunteers and Penn State Cooperative Extension staff members. Everyone involved with these camps benefits from the experience.”
4-H camps help girls and boys increase their positive self-concept and sense of responsibility. The camps provide opportunities for young people to make new friends, experience positive role models, learn new skills, enhance their appreciation of nature, develop healthy habits, explore their personality and character and develop their leadership skills.
“Sometimes, parents are surprised to learn that their child knows how to cook or dance, for example,” Horning said. “These may be activities their child has never tried at home, but 4-H camp is a buffered and unique setting, and kids are willing to try new things.”
Camps are staffed by 4-H volunteers, Penn State Cooperative Extension staff members and 4-H members trained as camp counselors, as well as nurses, lifeguards and cooks. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Penn State Cooperative Extension provide partial funding for the camps.
Teen counselors help guide the young campers. To prepare them to serve in this role, Horning hosts counselor-in-training workshops for potential counselors during camp. He also conducts a two-day staff retreat each spring for training and planning for the summer camps. In addition, he meets daily with counselors to ensure the camp operates smoothly.
“Being a camp counselor is an achievement and a challenge for most teens,” he said. “They learn how to organize and handle logistics for a group of 200 kids; they supervise the tent area; and they assist with the workshops. Our teen counselors play a major role for us. Without the leadership that counselors provide, we couldn’t run the camps.”
Horning added, “4-H camps are a team and collaborative effort involving many dedicated people.” He noted many of Camp Brule’s adult staff members have been involved with the annual summer camp for many years. Some are former camp counselors.
The photos at left highlight some of the many activities developed by Penn State Cooperative Extension agents for 4-H campers. | |||||||||||||
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