Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
5/21/04
Contacts:
Carol Ouverson, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-9640,
couverso@iastate.edu
Jane Hayes-Johnk, Extension 4-H Youth Development, (712) 623-2592, jhjohnk@iastate.edu
Nutrition and Fitness Program Lets Teens Be Teachers
Southwest Iowa counties and their 4-H clubs will reap the benefits of a new nutrition and fitness program designed to have teens be teachers. Two young people, ages 14-18, will be recruited from each of the 19 southwest counties to be a Food and Fitness Craze Teen Ambassador for a year. The Teen Ambassadors will implement a program for 4-H clubs that will create a public awareness publicity campaign of the consumption of healthy foods, promote physical activity and work with clubs to make healthier food choices. The Teen Ambassadors program is an outgrowth of an existing Food and Fitness Craze effort that began last fall.
"We are providing leadership opportunities for young people [Teen Ambassadors] to be engaged in the planning process from the very beginning," said Jane Hayes-Johnk, 4-H youth field specialist with Iowa State University Extension and one of the program proposal writers.
Teen Ambassadors will work in a group of four or five counties along with an ISU Extension 4-H youth development specialist, who will take the role of adult program coordinator. In order to teach their counties, Teen Ambassadors will receive many educational materials and go through a six-hour training done by ISU Extension 4-H youth specialists, health and nutrition specialists and a registered dietician.
Using the skills and activities they have learned, the Teen Ambassadors will go back to their area and conduct local training for Extension staff and 4-H club adult and youth leaders. The Teen Ambassadors will maintain regular contact with 4-H clubs to further implement the Food and Fitness Craze and provide recreational opportunities for youth of all ages.
"The Food and Fitness Craze Teen Ambassador program is unique because young people are involved throughout the whole program, from the planning process through the implementation and evaluation of the program," Hayes-Johnk said.
The proposal was developed by Hayes-Johnk; Heidi Bell, 4-H youth field specialist; Kim Brantner, ISU Extension education director for Taylor county; Deb Hall, ISU Extension education director for Adair country; and Ruth Litchfield, Iowa State University assistant professor for food science and human nutrition. The proposal was one of 50 chosen out of almost 1000 applicants to win a General Mills Champion Youth Nutrition and Fitness grant.
For additional information, contact Hayes-Johnk at (712) 623-2592 or jhjohnk@iastate.edu or Heidi Bell at (641) 342-3316 or hbell@iastate.edu.
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