• May 2: Blue Ribbon Enrollment data due
• May 21: Catch a Calf Breakfast, Denver
• May 24-27: CYFAR Conference, Boston
• May 30: University holiday, offices closed
• June 1: Scholarship applications due

2006 National 4-H Conference Applications

You can find a copy of the 2006 National 4-H Conference application and youth selection criteria at http://4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/scholarship/national.pdf. Each county may nominate two individuals for this educational opportunity. A letter of reference from the Extension agent should be included with each application. The application deadline is June 1, 2005. Delegates will be selected based upon their application and an interview during state fair. — Dale Leidheiser

2005 National 4-H Congress

Applications for county delegates planning to attend National 4-H Congress are due in the State 4-H office by July 1, 2005. Counties are to select their own delegates, as there will be no further screening at the state level. For more information go to http://4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/scholarship/congress.pdf.

Applicants are to check with school and/or employers prior to submitting their applications. The dates for this year's trip are Nov. 25-29 in Atlanta, GA. We make no guarantees that late cancellation will be accepted without financial penalty. Trip deposits will not be refunded. — Ellen Butler

2009 Western Regional 4-H Leader's Forum

You can mark your calendars for Feb. 25 to March 1, 2009 for WRLF! Colorado will be hosting this event at the Marriott Denver City Center. It's a beautiful hotel a block from the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. The steering committee with co-chairs Shardy Paul and Mike Grett, treasurer, Lois Helgeland, Melissa Oliver and I reviewed proposals from five hotels in Colorado Springs and Denver to make the decision. We'll begin organizing committees and do some preliminary planning during State 4-H Conference. —— Dale Leidheiser

2009 WRLF Theme Contest

We need a theme for the WRLF so let your creative juices flow! What makes a good theme?

• It's brief
• It reflects the host state/site and provides motivation to attend
• It provides guidance to the content of the conference
• It inspires graphic design

Does it seem like a tall order? Begin by reflecting on conference themes you've seen before and how they might be adapted. Think about the beauty of our state, our natural and human resources and the power of volunteers working with children . . . then, submit your ideas to me by June 15! We hope to make an announcement by June Conference. — Dale Leidheiser

International 4-H Update - Host Families Needed

Inbound IFYEs

Markus Rock, a 23-year-old male student from Austria, enjoys hiking, skiing, and lives on a small cattle farm. Marcus speaks German and English and will be in Colorado June 26 through Aug. 7.

Juergen Borchers, a 26-year-old male student from Germany, is interested in dairy farming, feedlots, hogs, fishing, big cities and forestry. He lives on a cattle farm and speaks German and English. Juergen will be in Colorado June 20 - Sept 2.

Nicky Hatzivasiliadou, a 17-year-old female student from Greece, enjoys music, basketball, skiing, dancing, studying and shopping. Nicky speaks both Greek and English and will be in Colorado June 24 - Aug. 5.

Brian Stirling, a 29-year-old male from Northern Ireland, is a sheet metal engineer. Brian lives on a dairy and beef farm, enjoys all aspects of farming and socializing, and speaks English. Brian will be here June 26 through July 29.

Japanese Summer Exchange: July 23 - Aug. 20

Host families are needed for 75 Japanese summer exchangees, boys and girls, ages 12-17. All participants are 100 percent medially covered and can participate in host family vacations. The homestay program emphasizes sharing of culture and "every day" home life. Host siblings are subsequently eligible to travel to Japan and stay with a host family.

Japanese High School Exchange: Aug. 1, 2005 - June 15, 2006

Colorado is hosting five Japanese high school students who will stay with host families and attend high school. There are two girls (ages 16 and 17) and one boy (age 16) available. Participants are 100 percent medically covered, can participate in host family vacations, and sports. They have received extensive orientation and English language training.

FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange): Aug. 15, 2005 - June 15, 2006

Colorado will host five high school students from Belarus (female age 15), Kyrgyzstan (male - age 17), Russia (female - age 16), Turkmenistan (male - age 16), and Ukraine (female - age 16). These students stay with host families and attend high school. They are part of a democracy-building program instituted by the U.S. State Department as a result of the Freedom Support Act passed in 1993. The FLEX students have been selected from a large pool of applicants based on their English language skills and interest in learning about US culture.

Please contact me if you are interested in hosting or would like more information at 970-491-2711 or e-mail cloflin@coop.ext.colostate.edu. — Courtney Loflin