• Sept. 14: 4-H Youth Fund Board meeting
• Oct. 1: Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment data due
• Oct. 1-3: Colorado Leadership Camp, Glenwood Springs
• Oct. 3-9: National 4-H Week
• Oct. 8-10: 4-H Leaders' Forum, Steamboat Springs

• Catch-A-Calf application
• Programs of Distinction

Catch-A-Calf Information

National Western Stock Show time is fast approaching and, with that, it is time to encourage youth to apply for the Catch- A-Calf program sponsored by the National Western Stock Show. This is a historic year to be catching a calf, as all calves caught in 2005 will be shown at the 2006 National Western Stock Show. The 2006 Stock Show marks the 100th Anniversary of the National Western Stock Show - what a historic opportunity!

The National Western Stock Show Catch-A-Calf Program is a great program designed to promote youth development and understanding of the cattle feeding industry. This program can provide youth with an opportunity to be part of one of the best events at the National Western Stock Show. Youth are encouraged to manage their projects from the mindset of commercial cattle feeding. Additionally, numerous learning opportunities are available to assist the youth with the project, including summer camps and software programs.

Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 18 as of Dec. 31, 2004 to apply, and also enrolled in 4-H at the time of application. Successful catchers must have adequate facilities available to house their steer as they are responsible for the care, feeding, and handling of their animal. Please distribute to interested members in your county.

Applications (attached) are due to my office postmarked no later than Nov. 15, 2004. Please note that this deadline is earlier than in the past years. Additionally, applications will be posted on livestock.colostate.edu/youth. If you have any questions regarding the program, please don't hesitate to contact me at 970.491.6271 or Celina.Johnson@ColoState.Edu. - Celina Johnson

4-H Youth Development Handbook

The Colorado 4-H Youth Development Handbook is now posted online: 4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/handbook/index.shtml. Please recycle your old print copy and bookmark this updated version. The 4-H Youth Development Handbook will be updated as necessary and the date of the most recent update will always show on the table of contents screen. If/when you have an addition, correction, or other update, please e-mail it to me at Jan.Carroll@ColoState.EDU. Thank you. - Jan Carroll

ES237 Time

I can't believe another year has flown by and we are ready to process another Federal report. The forms have changed a lot since last year and they are posted at: www.ext.colostate.edu/ye

The selections are:

• ES237 Group Youth Form
• ES237 Volunteer Form
• ES237 Leader Form

Choose the forms you need, print them and send them to Gail or me no later than Friday, Oct. 1. Please try to stick to that deadline as we need time to enter your forms and merge them into the state database.

If anyone has questions, please let us know! Thanks!- Joy Bauder and Gail McKee

Fall Leaders' Forum

Get ready for a Boot Stompin' Good Time at the 2004 Colorado State 4-H Leaders' Forum. Please share the following information with your volunteer leaders. The conference will be held in Steamboat Springs on Oct. 8-10. There will be a variety of useful information for leaders to learn about and enjoy throughout the weekend. We are including a track system where leaders can attend workshops in more detail or even come away from the conference with a certification. The brochure and registration materials can be found at the following link: 4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/leader_forum.pdf.

Registration is due to the Routt County Extension office by Sept. 29. Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Hilltop at Celebrity Resorts at 970.879.2900. Rooms are condo style with a kitchenette and are two different types; a standard room with one queen bed and a hide-a-bed or a double room with two queen beds and a hide-a-bed.

A mailing was sent to each county office by Brenda Noakes that included a copy of the complete brochure. Please help pass the word! - Dale Leidheiser

Programs of Distinction

Manuscripts are currently being accepted for review of the new 4-H Programs of Distinction database.

• 4-H Programs of Distinction are an ideal way for you to communicate your outstanding program outcomes. Manuscripts (maximum length: 1000 words) can be submitted under 27 different categories and will be evaluated for content and readability.
• If you are hesitant about how to tackle this opportunity, consider submitting a manuscript with a colleague or mentor.
• I can help you with format, state-level statistics, or just brainstorming on how to present your best work as a 4-H Program of Distinction.
• Programs submitted/published as Programs of Excellence can be rewritten for this new opportunity.
• Be sure to tie in your ES237 numbers and e-POWER evaluations.
• The 4-H Programs of Distinction description, evaluation criteria, guidelines for submission, and categories are attached.
• Submissions are sent to me electronically for review on a continuous basis, no deadlines.

Lights on Afterschool! 2004

Be sure to join afterschool advocates across the country for the fifth annual Lights On Afterschool! on Oct. 14. Be part of this national rally for afterschool. Join the effort to save afterschool programs imperiled by funding cuts and underscore the need for quality afterschool programs for all children. Afterschool programs are one way we can get our 4-H curriculum out to more Colorado youth.

To learn more about how to participate or to register your event, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org. Help turn the lights on at afterschool programs! - Jan Carroll

Project Selection Guide and Project List

Included in this week's Friday Mail are two hard copies of the new Project Selection Guide and two hard copies of the new project list. Backorders for these items will be sent as soon as possible. You can find the order form for enrollment materials as an attachment to the August 13 Update. Thanks! - Gail McKee

4-H Update

For your information there will be no 4-H Update for the week ending Sept. 17. You can look forward to receiving Update the following week. Thanks! - Ellen Butler