Topics:

• Violence Issues
• Parenting Materials
• 4-H Youth Enrollment & Clubs
• Northeast & Susquehanna Regional Leaders Forum
• 4-H Youth Recognition
• School Programs
• Embryology School Enrichment Evaluations
• Camping Experience

Violence Issues

Given the tragic events that took place over the past year in school settings and in an effort to assist in preventing violent behavior by children and youth adults, the Pike County Cooperative Extension office prepared and distributed to the three school districts information on curriculum and resources that are available for their use through the office. Included in this correspondence were:

• video teleconferences that could be signed out from the cooperative extension loan library;
• a resource guide, from Cornell Cooperative Extension, that lists the latest word on prevention of violence among youth, including the results of literature searches and research reviews, an annotated bibliography and many prevention program profiles;
• appropriate 4-H projects related to communication, conflict resolution, and building leadership skills in youth.

Parenting Materials

Made Available Working closely with the President of the Community Prevention Advisory Team, 100 copies of 10 different Penn State parenting pamphlets and brochures were distributed by the group to parents visiting a local supermarket÷this was called their parent outreach program. Additionally, the Delaware Valley School District made 100 more copies and they were placed in a strategic location, outside their "town meeting" on safe schools. Reports indicated all materials were taken and that local PTA's were given single copies in the event they wanted to make materials available to their membership.

4-H Youth Enrollment & Clubs

The annual A-100 report, which tallies 4-H enrollment in all programs, is completed and returned to University Park each September. Total 4-H enrollment in Pike County (traditional clubs and school enrichment) has increased over previous years. As in the past, enrollment of girls in 4-H programs in Pike County is traditionally higher than boys.

During the 1998 - 1999 4-H year, three new clubs focusing on gardening and small animals began to meet.

Northeast & Susquehanna Regional Leaders Forum

Proud Past÷Promising Future was the theme of the 1999 Northeast & Susquehanna Regional Leaders Forum. Sixty-five men and women participated in this two-day event which was held at Pocmont Resort, in Pike County.

Participants in the forum took part in many hands-on and informational workshops, varying in theme from rabbits, to sewing, to woodworking, to stress management for children. In addition to the many wonderful workshops, participants met leaders from all over the two regions, sharing ideas and fellowship.

4-H Youth Recognition

The fourth annual Show-N-Crow was held September 18th. 4-H members turned in their projects for evaluation and were awarded ribbons. The theme for this year's event was the Pony Express. The community was invited to view the many projects that were on display and were able to participate in events such as the hobby horse race, stuffed animal parade, and the milk mustache contest. Ongoing activities included: make your own clothespin horse, name plate, kite, and gardening sock head. Horse drawn hayrides and animal exhibits kept children of all ages busy.

School Programs

Embryology School Enrichment Evaluations

Pre- vs. post-test scores (see above graphs) indicate an increase in knowledge of subject matter as a result of students participating in the embryology school enrichment program.

Camping Experience

Camp Counselor Training (C.C.T) Û Five teens from Pike County attended C.C.T. June 17 & 18 at Camp Shehaqua. Camp Counselor Training is a program offered by the Eastern PA Camping Association and is designed to better prepare participants for their duties as a camp counselor. Some of the topics covered at C.C.T. included: how to handle situations, understanding youth development, trust activities and the nuts and bolts of camp. As a result of their participation, Counselors-in-Training felt that they were better prepared to teach campers and fulfill their roles as a camp counselor.

C.C.T. provides future camp counselors with 13 hours of the required 18 hours of training needed to become a camp counselor. Pike County had 6 teens complete the 18 hours of training and attended Camp Shehaqua as counselors. Additional trainings were offered by Pike, Monroe, Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. Topics included: basic first aid, leadership training, team building and situations.

Camp Shehaqua** - One hundred and twenty-five adults, counselors and campers attended Camp Shehaqua for the week of July 12 - 16.

Twenty-four Pike County 4-H'ers joined 4-H'ers from Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne Counties. 4-H members participated in a ropes course, trust activities, nutrition program, crafts, nature study, science experiments, shooting sports, special programs and campfires. Written evaluations indicated:

• 72 campers felt they learned to be more responsible for themselves;
• 58 campers said they learned to effectively work and get along with others;
• 56 said they developed self-confidence and self-esteem;
• 43 campers said that they gained leaderships skills that they did not have before attending camp;
• 46 were able to talk and/or give a demonstration in front of groups, as a result of their camping experience.

**Camp Shehaqua is an American Camping Associated accredited facility.