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Special Interest Programs for Youth…
Training Opportunities for Educators, Youth Workers, and After-School Staff
Character Education
4‑H uses the resources created by the Josephson Institute to teach the Six Pillars of Character as part of CHARACTER COUNTS!SM. This program may be presented directly to youth or the adults that work with them. There are several activities for each of the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. CHARACTER COUNTS!SM is the most widely implemented approach to character education.
Design It and Explore It Science Programs
Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4‑H Youth Development and the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition (NJSACC), The Network for New Jersey’s Afterschool Communities, are proud to offer Design It and Explore it! These are engaging, inquiry based, and fun STEM programs designed specifically for afterschool. These comprehensive and high-quality programs were developed by the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) in Boston and the National Partnerships for After School Science (NPASS) through support of the National Science Foundation.
Digital Filmmaking
Challenge your creative and technical skills! Using notebook computers, digital camcorders, and simple editing software, workshop participants will work in teams of three to plan, shoot, edit, and present short digital films. Presenters will share sample student projects, suggested resources, and ideas for incorporating this type of project-based learning in the classroom, after-school sites, a summer day camp, and other youth development programs.
Get Moving – Get Healthy
Get Moving – Get Healthy is a joint program of 4‑H Youth Development and Family and Community Health Sciences. The activity-based curriculum may be used as a workshop, school or after-school enrichment program, or as a display at a health fair. It may also be incorporated into a larger youth development program focused on healthy living –such as training content for preparing teen Food and Fitness Ambassadors. All of the activities promote healthy eating and physical activity.
Junior Master Gardener® Program
The Junior Master Gardener® (JMG) program is a program of Texas Cooperative Extension in cooperation with partnering land grant universities. Training is available to teachers, community-based educators, youth workers, after-school staff, and others interested in the curriculum. An introductory training is offered that focuses on program structure, certification requirements, level one curricular activities, service activities, recognition, and evaluation. Shorter trainings are also available on each unit of Level One: Plant Growth and Development, Soils and Water, Ecology and Environmental Horticulture, Insects and Diseases, Fruits and Nuts, and Vegetables.
Mercer County 4‑H provides the JMG program as an after-school program at various sites throughout the county.
Safe Sitter Training
Mercer County 4‑H is a popular provider of Safe Sitter (babysitting) training for youth. 4‑H currently works with several townships (recreation departments) and hospitals to deliver this training to those interested in becoming a Safe Sitter. The program introduces youth to all aspects of babysitting, including age appropriate activities and safety considerations, basic first-aid and CPR.
Teambuilding
4‑H offers a variety of teambuilding options for youth and adults. 4‑H staff can provide portable group initiative activities for your organization in any setting, or you may bring your team to our City of Trenton/4‑H Low Element Challenge Course for a half-day or full-day experience. 4‑H staff can also certify your teens and/or staff as teambuilding facilitators. All activities promote effective teamwork – with a focus on leadership, communication, trust, patience, and safety.
True Colors®
Participants go through a simple process that allows them to better understand themselves and others: Discovering My True Colors. Participants identify their color spectrum and dominant color type using the True Colors cards and a brief self-assessment. Then they experience several activities to learn more about what informs our communication and interactions. All members of the group leave with a common language that will aid their teamwork.
For more information, contact Sharon Gore at 609-989-6830 or gore@njaes.rutgers.edu.