• Dec. 13: Colorado 4-H Youth Fund board meeting, Littleton
• Dec. 26-28: University holidays, offices closed
• Jan. 2: University holiday, offices closed
• Jan. 5-8: Western 4-H Roundup, Denver
• Jan. 16: University holiday, offices closed
• Jan 28-29: Leadership Development Conference, Denver
• Jan 30: 4-H Day at the Capitol, Denver

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• Masonic Range Science Scholarship

2006 4-H Community Tree Planting Grants

The 2006 4-H Community Tree Planting Grant Program, funded by Deft, Inc., offers a limited number of youth grants in the amount of $500 to $1,750 to 4 H/Extension groups in local communities, in counties, and at the state level. This program provides opportunities for young people and adults to take action with ongoing community tree planting and/or reforestation projects or to stimulate new and creative youth-led projects. Youth are empowered to lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation process with minimal mentorship from adults. Youth will learn how their leadership can result in community collaborations that amplify the impact of their project.

The application can be found at http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/GrantsTreePlanting.aspx on the bottom of the page under “Related Links.” Completed applications are due by Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006. Contact Sheila Chaconas at schaconas@fourhcouncil.edu if you have questions. — Ellen Butler

Masonic Range Science Scholarship

Do you know a high school senior or college freshman/sophomore that is interested in studying range science? The Society for Range Management (SRM) Masonic-Range Science Scholarship offers financial assistance and recognition to a high school senior and/or college freshman or college sophomore planning to major in/presently majoring in range science and/or a closely related field. Applicants must be sponsored by a member of the Society for Range Management (SRM), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), or the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). Applications are due January 15, 2006. For further information and an application please download the attached form. — Becky Fry

Collegiate 4-H Scholarship Deadline

The Collegiate 4-H Club was considering moving up the deadline for this scholarship in order to award it during LDC. That change is no longer being considered and the same deadline of April 1 will be in effect. There is no change to the scholarship application form. — Dale Leidheiser

Collegiate 4-H Support

The CSU Collegiate 4-H website (http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/collegiate4h/index.html) is running and full of good information. While it is always being updated, there are sections which list and explain the different training programs and workshops that are available to you. There is an “Agents” page which will house information about training programs. The page will also host educational resources for agents, leaders and officers.

Please look at the site and view the updated pages and materials. If you see anything that needs to be changed or have any suggestions for improvement, please let us know. It is intended to serve our club’s members as well as counties, agents, leaders, and members from around the state. — Dale Leidheiser

Barbizon School of Modeling Scholarship Available

Barbizon School of Modeling is once again offering one full and one half scholarship to participate in their program at all of their locations—Denver, Fort Collins, Durango area, and Colorado Springs. The scholarship is open to any currently enrolled 4-H member, male or female, over the age of 13 as of Dec. 31, 2005. The program includes up to 20 classes, which are offered on Saturdays. Participants may take one class each Saturday for 20 weeks or two classes every other Saturday over the same 20-week period. 4-H members currently enrolled at Barbizon are ineligible to apply. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2006. — Connie Cecil

International Update

Japanese Intern Applications due Jan. 15, 2006
The Intern program is an excellent opportunity for young adults to explore the Japanese culture in depth while gaining valuable experience in the workplace. This program is being offered by two Japanese exchange partner organizations: Labo and Lex.

Those accepted will spend one year living with host families and working in the Japanese exchange organization office. Interns work closely with the staff of the sponsoring organization, leading youth and family group activities, assisting with debriefings for delegates departing from Japan, planning orientations for delegates arriving in Japan, performing office duties, and giving presentations on American life and culture.

The compensation package for participants includes round trip airfare to Japan, a monthly stipend, medical insurance coverage, holidays and vacation time, and travel document assistance.

Applicants must be 18- to 25-years of age and have completed high school. One year of college, experience as a host sibling or delegate with the 4-H International Exchange Programs, and Japanese language skills are helpful, although not required for all organizations.

2006 IFYE Ambassador Programs to Australia and Finland

Australia - Ambassadors will travel from mid-June through mid-July; applicants must be 15- to 19-years of age. The program fee is approximately $3,700 - $4,000 and includes international airfare, travel in host country, food, lodging, supplemental insurance, orientation and evaluation programs, and an adult chaperon. Participants will be responsible for round trip airfare from Denver to Chicago. Applications are due in the State 4-H office by Dec. 24, 2005.

Finland - Ambassadors will travel from June 17 through July 18; applicants must be 15- to 19-years of age. The program fee has been reduced from $1,800 to $1,450, plus the cost of round trip airfare from Chicago to Helsinki (approximately $1,100 - $1,300). Participants will be responsible for purchasing additional round trip airfare from Denver to Chicago. The program fee includes a two-day group orientation in Chicago, orientation materials, passport holder, luggage tags, T-shirts, medical and accidental insurance, four-week home stay in Finland, all meals, transportation from Helsinki to and from a host family site, and an adult chaperon escort for the entire duration. Applications are due in the State 4-H office by Jan. 25, 2006.

2006 4-H Teen Ambassadors – This is a new opportunity for 4-H youth with leadership and international hosting/travel experience to get more involved with the Japanese High School Program. Selected teens will travel to Seattle July 24-31, 2006, to help lead the week-long high school arrival/orientation program. Participants must be 16- to19-years old and have previous hosting experience of a year-long Japanese high school delegate. Experience with an exchange in Japan is preferred, although not required. Travel, lodging, and meals are arranged and paid for by the 4-H International Programs Committee.

For applications or more information, please contact me at 970.491.2711 or e-mail: cloflin@coop.ext.colostate.edu. Thank you. — Courtney Loflin

Colorado Afterschool Network (CAN)

I represent Colorado 4-H Youth Development on the Steering Committee of the Colorado Afterschool Network (CAN). They are doing a “Message of the Month” campaign to raise awareness of the need for and value of after-school programs in Colorado. Colorado 4-H Youth Development is a partner in CAN. The December Message of the Month materials are being sent to each county in Friday Mail.

The number one goal of the Colorado Afterschool Network (CAN) is to create a statewide movement to support after school programming in Colorado. We envision a time in which public officials, school boards, businesses and parents in every county know the value and impacts of after school. We are working to build strong public support so that as a state we are able to provide the resources for every child to participate in after school programming. To do this we need you!

Please join us today. Log on to http://www.coloradoafterschoolnetwork.org and become a member of the Colorado Afterschool Network. Membership is free and has many benefits including:

• E-mail alerts on funding, policy, research, and resources
• Access to experts in the field
• Access to training and technical assistance
• Access to policy makers and elected officials
• Local and statewide networking with other after school programs

When you join you can sign up for e-mail blasts on various topics (including funding), and also to receive the Message of the Month directly. I will not be forwarding them to all CE offices after December. — Jan Carroll