By Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, [email protected]
Rylie Carroll, Hopkins County 4-H member, has been selected as a Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador. But first, I want to explain what the Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador program involves. Participation was announced to all high school youth in the spring. Those selected are trained to serve as a community health and wellness leader. They assist County Extension Agents in providing leadership of health programs and projects, focusing on youth audiences, but also assisting with adult programs.
When developed as leaders and utilized to serve and lead based on interest, Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors are an additional source of outreach and advocacy similar to Master Wellness Volunteers. Some of the events with which Rylie will be assisting include: recruiting Walk Across Texas teams, assisting with the summer day camp program, serving as advocate for health and nutrition at health fairs and back-to-school events, developing and delivering programs for 4-H club meetings, promoting 4-H membership, leading social media efforts on general health topics, marketing events, and more.
Rylie will be attending a special training with other selected Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors from across the state. They will learn about implementing culinary demonstrations, MyPlate, DanceFit Texas Style (a new physical activity program targeted toward youth), and more. HTYA participants are required to achieve 40 hours of leadership, program efforts, and community service. The ambassadorship is a 12-month commitment, beginning in June, 2021. I look forward to working with Rylie throughout the year. She is an outstanding 4-H member, youth leader, and all around good person!
Multi-County 4-H Camp
This is the last call for 4-H youth who are interested in attending Multi-County 4-H Camp at Lone Star, Texas. Registration forms are available at the Extension Office, or they can be e-mailed. Here are the details:
- When: July 5-7, 2021
- Where: Lakeview Baptist Conference Center, Lone Star
- Cost: $125
- Includes: lodging, meals, workshops, recreation, fun!
Workshops for the 2021 camp are Outdoor Cooking, Leatherwork, Archery, ROPES (zip line), STEM Ricochet, and team activities. There will be a canned foods challenge, as well. Each participant is asked to bring a few canned or non-perishable packaged goods. Each county will build a structure with the items and the structures will be judged. All foods will be donated to a local food bank following the camp.
A list of things to bring and not to bring will be included in the registration materials. Please contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 as soon as possible if interested in attending.
Closing Thought
Do the best you can until you know better. Then whey you know better, do better. – Maya Angelou
Contact Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent – Hopkins County at P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
