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ENLARGE
Tracy Martz
Young people are one of the most important resources that we have in Douglas County, since they represent the future of our community.
But challenging economic times mean that families have fewer financial resources to ensure that their children are provided the best quality opportunities to keep them engaged and learning all year long.
We at the OSU Extension Service and 4-H youth development program understand this and do our best to provide high-quality programs at little to no cost to families. We do this through community support and grant funding. For example, our traditional 4-H summer camp, held June 22 through 26, might cost a family nearly $500 to send one child.
However, through generous support from the Douglas County Leaders Association, Oregon 4-H Foundation and local businesses, the cost for the camp is only $135 per child. And let's not forget our traditional 4-H Club program, where children learn through hands-on projects. It costs only $10 for a child to be active in the 4-H program for one year. This fee includes activity insurance, 4-H project resource manuals and ongoing support and instruction from OSU staff and OSU-certified 4-H club volunteer leaders.
With nearly 17 percent of our county's workforce unemployed, it is likely that many Douglas County residents are facing new fears and stress, and this includes children. OSU Extension and 4-H care for our youth and have developed many helpful strategies to help children and parents cope with and make it through these tough economic times.
One helpful resource is a list of things kids can do to help their families save money and make less expensive choices. The other resource is a document to help parents go about helping children understand the changes a family sometimes has to endure because of a reduction in income. These resources are available on our Web site at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/4h under “Articles for parents and children in our current time.” Or feel free to visit our office and pick up these documents discreetly off of our front counter.
Following are some of the helpful hints 4-H suggests that kids can do to save money for their family:
• Plant or help take care of a food garden. Donate extra product to a food bank or a neighbor.
• Help with preparing food at home instead of eating at convenience stores and restaurants.
• Reduce the money needed for clothes. Learn to sew enough to make simple repairs.
• Think before you complain or ask for something that really isn't a necessity.
• Be a “green monitor” for your family by turning off unnecessary lights and electronics.
• Find ways to entertain yourself that don't cost much money. Use the library to borrow books, games, videos and music rather than buy them. Join a 4-H Club!
• Volunteer. Look around your community to see who could use your help. Organize some kid activities to keep kids safe and happy. Help at day camps or special events. Help sort food packages at the food bank.
But challenging economic times mean that families have fewer financial resources to ensure that their children are provided the best quality opportunities to keep them engaged and learning all year long.
We at the OSU Extension Service and 4-H youth development program understand this and do our best to provide high-quality programs at little to no cost to families. We do this through community support and grant funding. For example, our traditional 4-H summer camp, held June 22 through 26, might cost a family nearly $500 to send one child.
However, through generous support from the Douglas County Leaders Association, Oregon 4-H Foundation and local businesses, the cost for the camp is only $135 per child. And let's not forget our traditional 4-H Club program, where children learn through hands-on projects. It costs only $10 for a child to be active in the 4-H program for one year. This fee includes activity insurance, 4-H project resource manuals and ongoing support and instruction from OSU staff and OSU-certified 4-H club volunteer leaders.
With nearly 17 percent of our county's workforce unemployed, it is likely that many Douglas County residents are facing new fears and stress, and this includes children. OSU Extension and 4-H care for our youth and have developed many helpful strategies to help children and parents cope with and make it through these tough economic times.
One helpful resource is a list of things kids can do to help their families save money and make less expensive choices. The other resource is a document to help parents go about helping children understand the changes a family sometimes has to endure because of a reduction in income. These resources are available on our Web site at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/douglas/4h under “Articles for parents and children in our current time.” Or feel free to visit our office and pick up these documents discreetly off of our front counter.
Following are some of the helpful hints 4-H suggests that kids can do to save money for their family:
• Plant or help take care of a food garden. Donate extra product to a food bank or a neighbor.
• Help with preparing food at home instead of eating at convenience stores and restaurants.
• Reduce the money needed for clothes. Learn to sew enough to make simple repairs.
• Think before you complain or ask for something that really isn't a necessity.
• Be a “green monitor” for your family by turning off unnecessary lights and electronics.
• Find ways to entertain yourself that don't cost much money. Use the library to borrow books, games, videos and music rather than buy them. Join a 4-H Club!
• Volunteer. Look around your community to see who could use your help. Organize some kid activities to keep kids safe and happy. Help at day camps or special events. Help sort food packages at the food bank.
Tracy Martz is the 4-H Youth Extension Agent for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. Tracy can be reached by e-mail at tracy.martz@oregonstate.edu or by phone at (541) 672-4461.
