• June 21-24: State 4-H Conference, Campus
• June 23: 4-H Youth Fund board meeting, campus
• June 25-July 2: Citizenship Washington Focus, Washington, D.C.
• July 13-Aug. 11: Colorado/Japan month-long summer exchange (outgoing)
• July 25-Aug. 20: Colorado/Japan month-long summer exchange (incoming)

• National 4-H Youth Directions Council application
• National 4-H Youth Directions Council criteria sheet

2006 WRLF Workshop Proposals

The Western Regional 4-H Program Leaders are interested in having some additional workshop proposals submitted in the following areas for the 2006 WRLF. The new deadline for proposals will be July 1.

• diversity (working with Latino populations, high risk youth, youth/adults with disabilities, etc.)
• stages of youth development and what activities are more appropriate
• healthy lifestyles (fitness, nutrition, new food guide pyramid, eating disorders, preventing/living with diabetes-cooking)
• Ag in the Classroom
• water quality/natural resources
• livestock
• arts/expressive arts
• youth entrepreneurship ideas
• fun ways to teach workforce skills
• more sewing (home arts) related workshops
• science/technology

The proposal form is located at: http://4-h.wsu.edu/news/calendar/WRLF_RFP.pdf — Dale Leidheiser

Chaperon Nominations for Out- of-State Trips

We only had one nomination for a volunteer chaperon for National 4-H Congress, Western Regional 4-H Roundup, National 4-H Conference, and Citizenship-Washington Focus. Please think about the outstanding volunteers you have that relate well to teens, are good role models, have some physical stamina, are flexible and would enjoy travel opportunities. Nominate them now! — Dale Leidheiser

2005 North-Central Region Volunteer Forum

The North Central Volunteer Forum will be held in Rapid City, South Dakota Nov. 10-13 for those who might appreciate a shorter drive or different time of year! Complete details are on the South Dakota 4-H website at: http://4h.sdstate.edu/. — Dale Leidheiser

National 4-H Youth Directions Council

NYDC has changed this year! It is now being sponsored by John Deer, Inc. and includes a “Leader’s Academy” from Sept. 30 - Oct. 3. We can select one outstanding 4-H youth to participate in this 18-month commitment. We must identify an individual by mid-July so all application materials must be submitted by July 8. Attached is a criteria form and application for this opportunity. — 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 26 through 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 through 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 25 - 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 970-491-2711or e-mail cloflin@coop.ext.colostate.edu. — Courtney Loflin