How Does The 4-H Club Shape Our Children?

How Does The 4-H Club Shape Our Children?

Involvement in stimulating, life skills building and positive reinforcing activities is crucial in the development of our youths. The mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program is to help young people grow into responsible, contributing citizens.” There are over 150 clubs in Clark County alone. They encourage youths who are thinking about joining to visit several different clubs to find the right fit. Anyone may join if they are between the ages of 5-19. There are no fees to join! There is a specific age requirement to be involved in certain levels of competition for safety purposes. Don’t I have t live on a farm or have farm animals? Absolutely not!

This is not just a club for youths. Having positive role models is vital in the development of our youths today. If they do not have one at home, which is sometimes the case, they can find one here. Adults are encouraged to become leaders within the clubs. This provides a great opportunity for parents to engage in healthy, educational and fun activities that promotes bonding with their children.

4-H Clubs are very active within the communities and organize fund raising events which not only benefits the communities, it develops healthy beliefs and clear standards within our youth as well as developing a sense of leadership and connectedness to their community.

I'm Glad We're Not Paying Too Much for College!

There was an article in The Oregonian recently which makes a lot of sense to me. It is about really thinking long and hard before taking on enormous college debt. There are now so many young students working years and years to payoff their college debt that this article give facts and figures to hopefully make students think twice before burdening their future with heavy debt. The article states that many college graduates are paying higher and higher portions of their income for over a decade, just to pay down college debt. There was one example given of a person in Florida who has $45,000 owed in student loans. He just got a repayment plan of $400 per month and he's still attending school. A monthly payment of $400 will delay other life purchases such as living independently, buying a home or purchasing a more reliable car.

The writer of the article tells the story of her own college choice: she earned a 4 year scholarship to the university in her home state, but she wanted to go to school out of state. Her grandmother gave her very good advice that she is still grateful for today: No Way. With the cost of college getting higher by the minute, if there is a local school that will provide a quality education, or at least the first two years, go for it. There is just no need in spending so much extra money for a fancy school or for out of state tuition.

What's in it for girls?

Besides having some really yummy cookies , Girls Scouts offers young girls with a wonderful opportunity to develop skills to make healthy choices and decisions. They learn to work as a team as well as becoming leaders. Girls are gain recognition by accomplishing certain tasks or activities.

Many times young girls will begin to develop trusting relationships with their scout leaders and other Girl Scout sisters. This is especially important for those young girls that come from broken or challenged homes.

These are all very important qualities to develop in our youths that will reduce risk of experimentation and/or use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Any girl 5-17 years old may join who makes the Girl Scout Promise and accepts the Girl Scout Law. Member ship fees are $10 per year.

The Girls Scout Law:

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be sister to every Girl Scout

The Girl Scout Promise:

On my honor I will try: To serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout law.

Thank Your for a Wonderful Term

It has been a long time since I’ve sat in a classroom eager to learn. After taking a couple years off from school, to travel around New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific Islands, I came home not knowing what to do next. Eventually, my dream of being a kindergarten teacher and an interest to learn became stronger. I was nervous to go back to school, assuming that I had forgotten what I had already learned, but encouraged myself to do what it takes to achieve my goals.

The first day of spring term was nerve-racking. I had all these assumptions of what ENG 101 would be like, comparing it to my experience in AP ENG of my senior year. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The intimate class size, the upbeat instructor, and overall ambiance of the campus relieved my anxieties. The attention I received in this class, and the environment of my fellow peers eager to learn, has helped my determination to learn as much as possible.

I am thoroughly grateful to all who have aided in making this English class a great experience. I learned basic skills of writing that has been paid little attention to previously, and forms of arguments that I am more aware of in everyday life. The excitement of learning and being able to appreciate good writing reaffirms my decision for coming back to school. My positive experience in this classroom has been a wonderful start to achieve my goals.

Thank you.

Time Goes By So Fast

My beautiful daughter will graduate from highschool tomorrow. Today we had her graduation party at our home to celebrate her accomplishment. We must have had over 50 family and friends coming in and out today, helping us celebrate her graduation. It was a beautiful day for a BBQ, while sitting and visiting in the beautiful sunshine.

For those of you who have older children, you know what I mean about time passing by so quickly. It seems like only a couple of years ago that she was born and now she's almost 18. For those of you who have younger children, be sure to take the time to enjoy the little things that they enjoy. You will really look back and cherish those memories. Don't get me wrong, this isn't about any opportunities I have missed. I had a wonderful time of my daughter growing up. We have a terrific relationship now and she will continue to live at home and we will still enjoy time together. Now it is different, now she is more like my friend. I am very, very proud of her and all that she has accomplished and how hard she had to work to get to this place. Here comes the beautiful part; I get to enjoy her and be proud of the responsibility that she shows for herself as the ownership is lifted off of my shoulders, just a bit. We will have many more happy memories together, she and I--starting tomorrow as she walks to accept her diploma in her gap and gown...

Shiba Inus

Shiba Inus are my favorite breed, and I plan to get one because their traits can compliment my lifestyle. They are about 15 inches tall and weigh from 15-25 pounds, depending on the gender. Their hair comes in a variety of colors described as red, red sesame, black, black and tan, and with some white markings. A physical bonus, in my opinion, is their fuzzy, curly tails! What is great about them is their ability to adapt to many ways of life. Being independent but quite affectionate, I would not have to worry about my dog when I am out of the house, but will return with a warm welcoming. They are small dogs that can live comfortably in an apartment, and have tremendous endurance to be a great hiking or jogging partner. Besides their ability to adapt to how I live, their origin is very interesting to me as well.

The ancestor of Shiba Inus came to Japan from China two thousand years ago. Over the years, different breeds of the Japanese spitz-type dogs have developed. The shiba is the smallest of the breeds. Because of their origin as hunting dogs, the name “shiba”-meaning “brushwood” and “small”- probably came from their surroundings. Now they are the most popular breed in Japan, being great pets able to fit into the nation’s notorious, tiny apartments. Even though I don’t live in Japan, I would still be able to find my little companion around the U.S. They are becoming quite popular, and I hope someday soon I will have the time to become another proud Shiba Inu owner.

What is Yoga?

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to bind, join, attach, to direct, or concentrate one's attention . It also means union or communion. It is the true union of our will with the will of our higher power, or the spiritual side of ourselves. It is the practice of disciplining the intellect, emotions, and the will of the seeker to enable them too look at life in all its aspects evenly. The practice of yoga enables the student to control their mind, and self thus setting them free from restless desire so they rest in the spirit within. The student learns to live in this state of freedom in all aspect in life. You can become one with all things, as you come to realize we are all part of the same fabric in our existence. We cannot live alone, we are all part of each other. The universe is conceived as a grid pattern that encompasses all things. The ebb and flow of energy is a part of us all. When the senses are still, and the mind at rest, a yogi has reached the highest stage. This steady control of the senses and mind is what students seek to achieve. One must learn to apply these skills to all aspects of life, not just in class.