CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION • Jefferson County

4-H Youth Development

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County's 4-H Youth Development programs are designed to support the positive outcomes we desire for young people through increasing their personal assets and decreasing the risk factors in their lives.

4-H Youth Development programs provide opportunities for youth through a multi-faceted approach: Club programming, 4-H Camp Wabasso, ACT for Youth, Operation Military Kids, Youth Ag Education, Youth Worker and Volunteer Training, and Community Outreach education.

Download our current 4-H publications below (in PDF)

Green Ink, /Summer 2007

2007 Equine Business Directory

4-H Clubs - Perhaps the single most recognized facet of the 4-H Youth Development program, a 4-H club is an organized group with geographic or subject matter boundaries at the community, neighborhood or school level, where youth participate in projects and activities year- round. Kids between the ages of 5 and 19 can participate in a community club or council, a family club, or as an independent member.

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4-H Club information.

Military 4-H Clubs - 4-H clubs provide a "slice of home" and consistency for military youth, who must handle the difficulty of parents being deployed for long periods of time and/or who must move frequently.

After-School Programs - Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County is working in two North Country school districts to provide after-school programming to students.

The Advantage After School Program, implemented in the LaFargeville School District, provides after-school academic, social, and developmental activities for children in grades 2 through 8.

The Copenhagen Central School STARS Program is starting its second year. The 21st Century Program is a partnership between the school district and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Read more...

ACT - Assets Coming Together for Youth is a youth development program striving to build assets for youth in Jefferson County. ACT creates youth and adult partnerships that assess community resources for youth and address the needs of youth in their community. ACT for youth is funded by the NYS Dept. of Health.

Operation Military Kids is a two-part program designed to provide support for children of Reserve and National Guard families.

Part 1: Educating communities and youth workers about the culture of military families, particularly those facing a deployment.

Part 2: Providing resources, assistance, and support to military families and children affected by the global War of Terror.

4-H Camp Wabasso - Since 1925, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County has coordinated a summer residential camping program. It has been located on Millsite Lake in the Town of Theresa since 1950. The 4-H camping program addresses the developmental needs of campers by providing opportunities for social, personal and educational growth within the context of the natural environment. Research has proven that a week at residential camp is equivalent to participation in an organized club for one year. For more information about 4-H Camp Wabasso, click here.

Youth Ag Programs - The Youth Agricultural Education program helps young people gain a greater awareness of the food and fiber system, and its role in the economy and society. Youth ag programming includes the Horse and Dairy Bowls, school enrichment programs such as Ag Extravaganza, tractor and farm safety courses, and animal exhibitions at the fair.

For more information contact:

Kristen Dodge kmd35@cornell.edu

Camp Secretary • 788-8450, ext. 254

Matt Greene mpg6@cornell.edu

Educator - 4-H Animal Science • 788-8450 ext. 247

Jim Gwise jgg22@cornell.edu
Director, 4-H Camp Wabasso • 788-8450, ext. 242

Gabrielle Hermanson gmh27@cornell.edu

Educator - Assets Coming Together for Youth (ACT)

788-8450, ext. 245

Kelly Oram kmo3@cornell.edu

USDA Curriculum Specialist; 4-H Military Liaison • 788-8450, ext. 232

Buffy Peterson bsp25@cornell.edu

Educator - Assets Coming Together for Youth (ACT)

788-8450, ext. 244