The next newsletter will be posted on-line  in May, 2004.

For comments on this newsletter, or if you would like to receive email notification of each issue, please email the Montana State 4-H Office at mt4h@montana.edu.

New Montana 4-H Foundation Director

Hailing from Michigan, the new Executive Vice President/Director of Resource Development, Jim Gleason, has over 14 years of experience in the non-profit fundraising arena.  As a youngster, he was a member of the 4-H equestrian club, Bear River Riders.  Click here to see an update from Jim and hear how his first few weeks on the job have been.

Fergus County Leader Recognized!

Hello in Many Languages!  When asked to submit an article featuring one of our 4-H Leaders in Fergus or Petroleum Counties, my immediate question was, "How do I choose just one?". We have so many hard working, dedicated 4-H Leaders in our two counties, and they all deserve to be "highlighted" in this news letter. Just after my conversation with Toni, Kathy Simpson arrived in our office with information for our news letter about the LABO program, once again hard at work recruiting host families. And so, I decided that writing about Kathy at this time, would both recognize her devotion to the 4-H program and possibly help her in her recruiting efforts.

Kathy Simpson is a busy lady. She is an RN, working at Central Montana Hospital as an OB nurse. She is a farm wife, and the duties that go with that role do not need any elaboration for most of you. She is a Mom, with two daughters. Katrina is a freshman in college and participated in the out bound LABO Program and Karen is a typically busy highschool student, participating in our 4-H exchange with Florida among many other activities.

Just to add a little extra spice to their lives, Kathy and Gerry Simpson have also opened their home, hearts and family to many exchange members from the LABO, FLEX and IFYE programs.

Miki, Eli and Tia from Japan, Daniella from Moldova, Daniell from Luxenbourg, and currently, Liya from Russia. They have welcomed each of these young people into their families and have embraced the culture and personalities of each one. In Kathy’s words, "They have friends all over the world".

Kathy serves as the County Coordinator for the MT/Japanese exchange. Each spring she begins recruiting host families from Central Montana. She makes countless phone calls and takes every opportunity to visit with families about this program. As a consequence, many of us have had the wonderful opportunity to host a young Japanese person. It is wonderful to see them tagging along with their host brother or sister during our fair, pitching in when they can and cheering from the sidelines. Kathy also provides support during the visit, checking in with families to anser questions and share advise from her own experience.

In Kathy’s article for our news letter she begins with "Konnichiwa", which means hello in Japanese. It makes me wonder in how many languages the Simpsons can say hello? Kathy’s devotion to these programs has made such a positive impact on those she has hosted, her own family, and those that have been fortunate enough to become friends with these visitors.

In each issue of Leader to Leader, we will be featuring a volunteer from across the state.  Please let us know if there is someone in your county who should be recognized!

Bring Japan to Montana

Bring the world into your home this summer by hosting a Japanese student!  These young people are excited to learn about your family’s customs and culture, your values, food, clothes, and lifestyles.  But, mostly they want to make friends with other young people and try communicating in English! 

The exchangees of this program range in age from 12 to 18 years old and are members of either the Japanese Lex or Labo Organization.  Since 1972 over 33,000 Japanese youth have stayed with families in North America. Montana has participated in the exchange since 1973! The Japanese teenagers will stay with their American host families the last two weeks of July and the first two weeks of August.

Host families share on thing in common – a willingness to welcome a Japanese youngster into their home as a family member, not as a tourist or special guest.  Families are required to have a child who is the same sex and who is close in age to the Japanese youth, and they need to have the enthusiasm to share their lives and their culture with their Japanese visitor for the four-week homestay.  Singles, families with younger, grown or no children, and retired couples are welcome to host an adult chaperone for two weeks.

The Japanese members want to experience daily life in Montana, so no special trips or entertainment is needed.  They look forward to doing family chores, learning new games, shopping, trying new foods, and sharing their own Japanese culture, foods and customs with their host family.  The Japanese youth are happy to share a room with their host sister or brother.

Living with a Japanese ‘son’ or ‘daughter’ will expose your family to a new way of communicating.  Once they overcome their initial nervousness and start to feel at home, the Japanese youth generally open up with more and more English.  However, communicating with gestures, using a dictionary and phrase book provided for the host families and speaking ‘through the heart’ are the most effective ways to communicate.  Bilingual chaperones also accompany each delegation.

The costs of hosting a Japanese student are minimal.  The Japanese Organizations provide complete medical insurance and students bring their own spending money for souvenirs and personal purchases.  Hosts are not required to be 4-H members to participate, although participation in some sort of 4-H activity during the stay is highly encouraged.

Host family applications and additional information about this or other 4-H opportunities are available by contacting Shannon Rust at the Montana State 4-H Office at 406-994-3501 or rust@montana.edu. 

4-H Finances in Your Club

Over the past several years, efforts have been made to bring 4-H leaders and members up to speed on some of the financial requirements and expectations as related to 4-H money.  We started with letting everyone know that 4-H clubs need to have their own federal tax id number, and we have followed with information on helping clubs be more accountable with their treasuries. 

At this time, the best information for you to use in your 4-H clubs to address any money issues is the 4-H treasurer’s manual called, ‘So You’re the Treasurer of Your 4-H Club.’  This provides guidelines for the treasurer, as well as section for the leader to read.  There are some forms in the manual, such as the annual financial summary sheet that should be completed at the end of the year and an example of a 4-H club treasurer’s report that can be very helpful.  It is recommended that a leader or volunteer be asked to work with the club treasurer to help that young person learn the skills of handling moneys that belongs to organizations.  The goal of the 4-H treasurer position is to learn how to be accountable and provide documentation to its membership. 

We believe that being a 4-H club treasurer is almost like taking a 4-H project in that we are preparing young people to be treasurers of other community-based organizations in their future.  So being a treasurer is far more than just handling the club finances for the year – it is a building of life skills that can serve young people well in the future.

Pick up a 4-H Treasurers manual at your local county extension office.
                                                 ~ Elizabeth M. McCoy, Montana 4-H State Leader

State Awards Judges Needed

Would you like to help judge our state award and scholarship applications this year?  Judging is a great way to develop the experience and knowledge needed to help 4-H members in your county prepare their state applications.  Expenses are paid by the Montana 4-H Foundation, so don't miss this great opportunity!

State awards judging will take place May 13-14 in Billings.  Selection Committee applications are due to the State 4-H Office by April 15.  Click here for a copy of the application

What Happens at 
Alberta Leaders Forum?

Each year eight leaders from Montana are selected to attend the Alberta Leaders Forum in Red Deer, Alberta for a few days in January.  Montana 4-H and Alberta 4-H have a reciprocal agreement.  Volunteers from Alberta attend our State Leaders Forum at no cost (for registration, meals, lodging).  In turn, Alberta 4-H invites up to eight Montana volunteers to participate with Alberta volunteers in their Forum.

The goals of the exchange are to allow leaders to absorb new ideas and experiences that can be shared with their club back home, to enjoy an education, action-packed program, to be recognized, and to have fun and share ideas.

The basics of the Alberta Leaders Forum are included in the application (due mid-September).  However, three of this year's delegates, Tom and Marilyn Jurenka and Debbie Weyer, have written a summary of their experiences in the hopes of encouraging more people to apply for this wonderful opportunity.  Here is what they said:

On January 8th, we traveled to Lethbridge, Alberta.  We arrived at the motel early enough to . . .click here for comments from Tom & Marilyn Jurenka of Hill County.

We met the bus early Friday morning for the long ride to Red Deer.  Canadians love jokes . . . click here for comments from Debbie Weyer of Wibaux County.

Applications for the 2005 Alberta Leaders Forum will be sent out in August.  Be sure to contact your county agent for more information!

Sending Your Kid to 4-H Camp

Did you know that every summer millions of children leave home and find new and challenging adventures?  Where are they going?  Summer Camp!!!

Most kids say they go to camp to have fun, do new things, and meet new friends.  Behind all those comments are valuable lessons being learned.  Those lessons are the reasons why 4-H professions include camp as one of the ways to teach the five life skills that are critical to any 4-H project or activity and are the reason 4-H parents send their children to camp year after year. 

When a young person is away from home and involved in a 4-H camp, they are learning to live, work and play within a community of other 4-H members and adult leaders.  The development of life skills that all 4-H programs are based on are incorporated into the 4-H camp experience; to develop an inquiring mind; decision-making; a sense of community; responsibility for one’s actions; and a priority for healthy living. 

The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning, and contributing, and camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas, even beyond home and school. 

Summer camp is more than a vacation for children.  At camp, kids learn to appreciate the outdoors, develop companionship and pick up skills that enhance self-reliance, cooperation and interdependence.  These skills will remain with them throughout childhood and into adulthood. 

How Can We Help Our Child Gain the Most from Camp?
First, consider camp as a learning experience.  This is a chance for your 4-H’ers to be a part of a world bigger than his/her neighborhood and a chance for you and your 4-H member to practice ‘letting go.’  Letting go allows children to develop independence and self-confidence, make new friends, develop new social skills, learn about teamwork, and express creativity. 

With these things in mind, prepare for camp together.  Decisions about camp; what to wear; what to pack; and how much money to bring – can be done together.  If your 4-h’ers is a part of making the decisions about camp, he/she will more likely have a positive experience. 

Can We Trust the Supervision Our Child Will Receive?
You’ve been looking out for your child’s safety and happiness, and sending a child to camp for the first time is a fear many parents share.  According to a survey by The American Camping Association, the five fears most often cited by parents regarding summer camp are safety, supervision, socialization, boredom, and homesickness. 

County agents, adult volunteers, and older 4-H members provide camp supervision, so they are people parents know and are familiar with already.   The campers’ safety and growth are placed ahead of programs, facilities, directors, counselors, and skills. 

Will Our Child Fit in Socially?
4-H camp curriculums are designed to teach socialization skills that help a child better cope in the read world, and the counselors work hard to foster a team atmosphere among campers.  If you don’t know your 4-H’ers camp counselor, you can visit with your local Extension agent, or if you take your child to camp, you can meet the counselor when you arrive.  We believe you will see positive changes in attitude, participation and teamwork from your 4-H’er when they return from summer camp.  4-H camp can really become a pivotal piece of a child’s formation for life. 

Will Our Child Be Happy at Camp?
With experience in working with youth, Extension agents design camps based on the understanding that young boys and girls have a relatively short attention span so they provide a wide variety of activities that challenge children at each age level, and help them develop a sense of teamwork, independence, and self-esteem.  Camps provide an excellent setting for kids to learn about the world around them, and to learn about themselves without the daily pressures and influences of life at home. 

How Do We Help Our Child Cope with Going Away from Home?
Over the years, 4-H agents have helped many parents and campers cope with an away-from-home camp experience.  They suggest talking about concerns and to know that as the first day of camp nears, some children experience anxiety about going away.  Talk about these feelings.  Communicate confidence in his/her ability in dealing with being away from home. 

Tips to consider before your child leaves for camp:

• If possible, visit the camp ahead of time so that your child will be familiar with the cabins and other general surroundings. 
• Consider arranging for a first-time camper to attend with a  close friend, relative, or camp ‘buddy.’
• Do not tell your child in advance that you will ‘rescue’ him/her from camp if he/she doesn’t like it.
• Discuss what camp will be like well before your child leaves, acknowledging feelings; consider role-playing anticipated camp situations.
• Allow your child to pack a favorite stuffed animal and/or picture so that your child will have a reminder of home.

If adjustment problems (such as homesickness) do occur while your child is at camp:

• Talk candidly with the Extension agent or camp counselor to obtain his/her perception of your child’s adjustment.
• Resist the temptation to ‘rescue’ your son or daughter from this experience.
• Acknowledge your child’s feelings and communicate your love.  You might say, “If you still feel this way in a day or so, we’ll discuss what we can do.”
• Remind them of all the people available to them and encourage them to discuss their fears with their fellow campers.
• Support your child’s efforts to work out the problems with the help of the camp staff.
• Remind him/her, if necessary, that he/she has made a commitment.
• Trust your instincts:  For the occasional child who is not enjoying anything and not adjusting to camp life, you should have a frank discussion with the Extension agent and come to a joint decision on how to resolve the problem.

What About Homesickness?
Virtually all children experience some homesickness their first time away from home . . . as well as their parents.  Perhaps you might consider overnight stays with a friend as a training experience prior to camp. 

Once your child arrives at camp, he or she may experience some apprehension related to the fear of the unknown and/or fear of failure in new situations.  Some refer to this as ‘homesickness,’ which can take the form of stomachaches, headaches, occasional misbehavior (in hope of being sent home) or even statements about hating camp.  They miss familiar surroundings, parents, pets, and friends.  Overcoming homesickness and learning to care for oneself are important challenges that can be faced at camp. 

Experts say the camp itself typically arms a child with a  greater sense of independence and self-reliance.  With a little help from parents to prepare 4-H’ers for what camp might be like, 4-H camp can become a life-enriching experience with long-term development benefits. 

If You Have Additional Questions, Whom Do You Ask?
Your local Extension agent, other 4-H parents, 4-H camp counselors, and other 4-H members will be able to answer camping questions.  Get ready for a terrific camp experience for both you and your 4-H’er.

Advice From the Child Development Experts About Camp . . .
“The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning, and contributing.  Camp offers unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas and even beyond home and school.”  ~ Michael Popkin, family therapist and founder of Active Parenting 

“The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values.  Most schools don’t satisfy all these needs.  Kids who have had these kinds of camp experiences end up being healthier and have less problems which concern us all.”  ~ Peter Scales, noted author/educator, and Senior Fellow, the Search Institute. 

“At camp, children learn to problem-solve, make social adjustments to new and different people, learn responsibility, and gain new skills to increase their self-esteem.”  ~ Rebecca Cowan Johnson, child therapist and certified camp director

 ~ Adapted from Kansas 4-H Journal – Nov/Dec 2003

Why Should 4-H'ers Go to Camp?

• To make new friends!

• To enjoy a variety of activities!

• To make decisions on your own!

• To feel good about yourself!

• To develop courage to try new things!

• To learn new skills!

• To be a part of a special community where they are listened to and respected, where they belong, learn, and contribute!

• To have fun!!!!

National 'Working with Teens' Survey

The Nevada Extension Service is conducting a national "Working with Teens" study.  This study is looking at the relationship between youth program staff's background and characteristics, and their competency in implementing the features of positive development settings

If you work directly with youth (ages 10-18) in non-school programs and would like to help the Extension Service learn more about what makes a good youth development professional, please complete the survey by clicking on the following link:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=75902251958.  Thank you.

 Get in the Classifieds!

   Japanese Pen Pals:  Do you have 4-H members who would like to become friends with someone from another culture?  The State 4-H Office is helping to connect Montana 4-Hers with kids from Japan through a new pen pal program.  Contact Toni at mt4h@montana.edu for more information.  

   Want Help from Collegiate 4-H?  You supply the mileage, they'll supply the time to conduct workshops on Parliamentary Procedure or Officer Training, demonstrate how to show animals, or just help out with your Demonstration Day, etc.  Contact Eric Larsen, Collegiate 4-H Vice-President, at ericl@montana.edu for more information.

   4-H License Plates.  It's quick and easy to pick up yours at your County Treasurer's office, and you don't have to wait to renew your vehicle registration.  The cost is $20 (plus your $10 county fee).  Of your $20 contribution, $10 goes to your county 4-H Council, $5 goes to Montana 4-H Leaders Council, and $5 goes to Montana 4-H Foundation.  Click here to see the plate.

Leaders Council Officers
President                                                   Vice President
Bina Eggensperger                                     Alice Redfield
ledger@blackfoot.net                                alicer@nemontel.net

Secretary                                                   Treasurer
Barb Larsen                                               Janet Loomis
lpi@northerntel.net                                     janjim@midrivers.com

Montana 4-H Foundation newsletter on-line
You can now access the Foundation Newsletter through their website, www.giveto4hkids.org.

Back to Top of Page