If you have an interest in science, nutritious cuisine, healthy lifestyles, weather, the environment, professionalism, and more, you should consider the Georgia 4-H Ambassador Program. 4-H Ambassadors are selected for a specific Ambassador Track through an application process and participate in a dynamic and intensive training weekend, plan individual activities to increase and share their knowledge, and represent Georgia 4-H as ambassadors in the field. Ambassador tracks offered in 2020 are: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics)Healthy Living, Pollinators, and Ready 4 Life. 4-H’ers may be selected to serve as ambassadors in one area per year and may be eligible to apply to return as an ambassador in the same issue or in a different issue in following years.
GOALS
The goal of the Georgia 4-H Ambassador Program is to prepare 4-H’ers to become knowledgeable in a specific content area so that they can return to their counties and share what they’ve learned with others. There will be four (4) Ambassador Tracks offered: STEM, Pollinators, Healthy Living, or Ready-4-Life.
ELIGIBILITY
This opportunity is open to any 8th-11th grade 4-H member in the 2019-2020 school year term. Those who are currently in 12th grade and will graduate from high school this year are not eligible for the 4-H Ambassador Program, as it will carry over beyond their 4-H eligibility in most cases.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Interested youth must apply to be a 4-H Ambassador. The 4-H Ambassador Program requires a one-year commitment that begins upon completion of Ambassador Training at the Ambassador Training Summit immediately following Senior 4-H Camp. Georgia 4-H Ambassadors must commit to completing the following activities during their year of service:
Commit to one year of service;
-Complete six learning activities related to their subject area;
-Complete six sharing activities related to their subject area;
-Provide quarterly reports.
DEADLINE
Interested 4-H’ers must complete the online application form by Wednesday, April 15 to be considered for selection. All tracks have limited spots available. Again, the deadline to apply is April 15, 2020.
AMBASSADOR TRAINING SUMMIT
4-H’ers who attend senior camp will be allowed to remain at Rock Eagle at the end of camp and will be provided supervision and lunch until the Ambassador Training Summit begins. 4-H Ambassadors who are NOT registered senior campers will need to arrive at Rock Eagle and check-in by 12:00 PM on Friday, May 29. Lunch will be provided to all Ambassadors on Friday. Training will end at 4 PM on Saturday, May 30. All Ambassadors should make arrangements for transportation home and plan to be picked up by a trusted adult between 4:00-4:30 PM on Saturday.
COST
The fee for Ambassador Training is $80. However, some tracks being offered this summer are partially supported by grant funding and offer a reduced fee. See the individual track descriptions later in this application for specific fee information. As in the past, Ambassadors are still responsible for making arrangements for transportation to and from the training at Rock Eagle.
STEM Ambassadors
led by Ms. Kasey Bozeman, Extension Specialist for 4-H Science and Environmental Education
- Up to 30 youth will be selected as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Ambassadors for the 2020-2021 program year. These Ambassadors would be asked to share science, design, technology, innovation, engineering, and mathematics within the local community.
Pollinator Ambassadors
led by Ms. Kasey Bozeman, Extension Specialist for 4-H Science and Environmental Education
- New this year! Up to 30 youth will be selected as Pollinator Ambassadors. These Ambassadors would be asked to share about the importance of pollination, pollinating insects, pollinating gardens, and the connection of pollinating to our food supply.
Healthy Living Ambassadors
led by Dr. Courtney Brown, Extension Specialist for 4-H Healthy Living
- Up to 50 youth will be selected as Healthy Living Ambassadors. These Ambassadors would be asked to share about basic nutrition, food access, cooking skills, and food budgeting.
- 4-H’ers involved in a county program that currently has a Healthy Habits grant with Georgia 4-H or that plans to apply for a Healthy Habits grant in the next program year, if available, are given preference; however, you can STILL apply even if your county does not meet this criterion. Speak with your county 4-H leader/contact to make sure that they are willing to serve as a contact to assist with reporting related to the grant.
- Grant funding helps offset the cost of this content track. Therefore, the registration fee will be reduced to $40.
Ready 4 Life Ambassadors
led by Mr. Jason Estep, Extension Specialist for 4-H Leadership and Civic Engagement
- New this year! Up to 30 youth will be selected as Ready 4 Life Ambassadors. These Ambassadors would be asked to share the basics of professionalism, resume preparation, making positive first impressions, basic interactions with local government, manners, entrepreneurship, and more.
- To qualify, you must be passionate about sharing helpful information for acing interviews, prepping resumes, how to act and best practices in an office setting, professional and social etiquette, how local governments operate, where and how to vote, and more with others in your local communities and around the state!
- Donor funding helps offset the cost of this content track. Therefore, the registration fee will be reduced to $40.
Applications are due April 15, 2020 and a limited number of ambassadors will be accepted, so apply today! If you would like more information, contact the Gordon County Extension/4-H office at 706-629-8685.
