More than 100 state 4-H members will learn the intricacies of computers and how to train senior citizens to use them in July during the first Science, Technology and Leadership program, part of the annual Alpha I State 4-H Camp at West Virginia University Jacksons Mill State 4-H Camp, near Weston.
Verizon Foundation provided a $34,700 grant to the WVU Extension Service to allow 110 youths to participate inWired and Wonderful CampJuly 8-13. The grant will also be used to purchase computers and digital cameras forhands onexperience. Verizon and WVU Extension Service faculty will staff the camp with instructors.
This is a great partnership for all of us at Verizon,said H. Stan Cavendish, president of Verizon West Virginia.We appreciate this opportunity to empower 4-H clubs and members across our state to help their family, friends and neighbors get online and benefit from broadband, particularly seniors. Technology alone will not transform rural communities, but innovative programs like this can.”
Two 4-H members from each of the states 55 counties will be selected by the countys WVU Extension Service agent to participate. They will learn how to train others, particularly older persons who are not online, on how to use computers for their personal business or enjoyment. Special attention will be given to the anxiety some seniors have in adopting technology.
Nationally, 4-H has placed an emphasis on science and technology development among the countrys youth. This program will help boost that national mandate to help young people value science and grow their technology skills.
The workshops will help 4-H members develop skills such as networking, hardware/software applications, Web development, gaming and multimedia. With the help of the Verizon Telecom Pioneers, a service organization, they will learn how to wire a small computer network and receive wiring and supplies for projects.
After the program is completed, campers will be charged with helping to provide local computer tutoring opportunities for senior citizens in their communities.
BecauseWired and Wonderfulis being held during Alpha I, technology campers will have selected opportunities to join more than 200 Alpha Campers as they lead and participate in 4-H Council Circle, Grow Groups and other youth development activities.
Combining the traditional state 4-H camp with this technology component will allow youths to learn leadership and personal development skills taught at our traditional camps, but also learn new science and technology skills that can shape their futures as well,said Extension Specialist Chad Higgins, who applied for and received the grant.
The Science, Technology and Leadership program will not be offered during Alpha II, which runs July 15-20. Alpha I and Alpha II are among the state and county summer learning experiences that WVU Extensions 4-H Youth Development Program organizes for thousands of youths throughout West Virginia.
The learn-by-doing experiences build youthsskills and self-confidence through educational activities that focus on healthy living, citizenship, and science, engineering and technology.
The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, is committed to improving literacy and K-12 education; fostering awareness and prevention of domestic violence; and promoting the use of technology in health-care delivery. In 2006, the Foundation awarded more than $69 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The Foundation also matched charitable donations from Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $29 million in combined contributions.
Under the Foundations Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the nations largest employee-volunteer programs, company employees and retirees have also contributed nearly 3 million hours of community service since Verizons inception in 2000. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/foundation
Verizons gift was made through the WVU Foundation, a private, nonprofit corporation that generates and provides support for WVU .
For details about the 4-H Science, Technology and Leadership program, contact a county office of the WVU Extension Service or Higgins at Chad.Higgins@mail.wvu.edu or 304-276-2491.
Additional details about 4-H Youth Development and other WVU Extension Service programs are available on the Web atwww.ext.wvu.edu.