4-H has a long and distinguished history of providing Kentucky youth and families with the opportunity to bring the world to the doorstep! Through international exchange programs such as LABO and UTREK, Kentucky 4-H families can experience the Japanese culture by hosting someone in their homes. We are currently looking for these dedicated families who are willing to open their hearts and homes to one of our exchange program youth from Japan. The LABO program places Japanese youth who are between the ages of 12-15 while the UTREK Japanese youth are between the ages of 15-17. LABO Youth are picked up by their host families in Louisville on July 22, 2009 where they will begin their four week home stay. UTREK youth are picked up in the Lexington area on June 26, 2009 and are in the home a little over 3 weeks. Both groups and are returned to Louisville on August 18, 2009.

To qualify as a host family you need to have a youth who is within two years of age of the Japanese child hosted. You also need to complete a background check, application process and reference review. Many families chose to host multiple years after participating in this wonderful program. We are also looking for individuals, couples or families to host our adult chaperones. One parent shares the following about this wonderful program:

…My husband and I value diversity in education. While academics are fundamental, there is so much more to “educating” our young people. Establishing values and principles to live by is critical to the foundation of our society – we need people who have strength of character. One area of character development is doing our best to understand and accept people of different ages, gender, and cultural backgrounds. Our family has absolutely valued and appreciated the mutual benefits of participating in the international programs – of establishing new friendships and, even, new “family” members. We have learned from each other the different struggles of our respective nations, as well as appreciating certain aspects of each other’s native country. We value aspects of life differently, thus we live life differently. Yet with all our differences — young boys and girls, men and women – we all laugh, cry, love, and need to be loved. Our family has experienced the joys of opening our hearts, if just for a little while, to love another human being from a completely different culture — to make them a part of our heart and home. And to have the privilege of weeping when we must say “…good-bye.” Yes, the tears mean we’ll miss them, but they mostly represent the fact that we know we have had the honor of being loved in return, no matter how different we are. Lourina, 4-H Parent and Volunteer

Contact Mark Mains (mmains@uky.edu), Extension Specialist for more information or to apply today!

[Lexington, KY] - The MetLife Foundation and National 4-H Council have awarded Kentucky 4-H a $10,000 grant to improve the state’s after-school programming. The grant will provide the funding to deliver cutting-edge training to 500 after-school providers. Grants of this kind will be awarded to 11 states throughout the nation, reaching over 5,500 after-school providers.

The new training will allow 4-H Afterschool providers to increase the number of youth engaged in high-quality after-school programs, infuse civic engagement into their daily activities, give young people more opportunities to develop their leadership skills, and help them to play positive roles in their own communities.

Kentucky afterschool sites interested in participating in or hosting a local training opportunity can contact: Deana K. Reed, Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development, 859-257-5961 or via e-mail deana.k.reed@uky.edu. Trainings can be accredited for school age staff through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Child Care office. Training sessions offer interactive, hands-on opportunities for learning and sharing and are provided at a minimal cost.

“4-H Afterschool programs are an important part of young people’s lives,” said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., National 4-H Council President and CEO. “By offering crucial training and resources to our 4-H Afterschool providers, we can create a safe, nurturing environment for young people to come together, engage with their communities, and become confident, capable leaders. We are honored to partner with MetLife Foundation on this exciting initiative.”

“MetLife Foundation shares 4-H’s commitment to increasing after-school and civic engagement opportunities for young people,” said Dennis White, MetLife Foundation President. “We are proud to join the 4-H Movement to help 4-H expand their after-school training and give America’s youth a positive place to grow and learn.”

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife in 1976 to carry on its longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants support health, education, civic, and cultural programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.

4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of National 4-H Headquarters (USDA). The 4-H programs are implemented by the 106 Land-Grant Universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about4-H at www.4-H.org.

Contact: Deana K. Reed, Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development, deana.k.reed@uky.edu, 859-257-5961

If your 6, 7, or 8 year old is ready for an overnight 4-H camping experience then Camp Cloverbud may be the place to start! Camp Cloverbud is specifically designed for campers (and parents!) who are not yet ready for a full week of a residential camping experience. The length of stay is shorter (2 nights and 3 days) and the staff to camper ratio is greater.

Campers still participate in all the traditional camp activities offered at 4-H camp including canoeing, swimming, archery, nature, and recreation, as well as a host of fun nighttime activities. Camp Cloverbud will be held July 16-18, 2009 at North Central 4-H Camp in Carlisle, Kentucky. The cost of the camp includes meals, lodging, staff, supplies, and a t-shirt, counties may or may not provide transportation to and from the campsite. The total cost of the camp is determined by individual counties, so contact your local 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent for county specific registration information and fees.

Camp Cloverbud is a great way for young campers to enjoy the fun and camaraderie of summer camp as they experience their first “sleepaway camp”. Staff and leaders are on board and will take great care to create a caring, safe, and fun atmosphere. Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. For more information on Camp Cloverbud and other 4-H activities contact your county cooperative extension office. Links to every county cooperative extension service office can be located on our website at: www.kentucky4h.org.