American Heritage Conference

Description

DATE:            June 24 - July 1, 2006
COST:            $900 (see fee schedule below)
FORMS:        Registration forms are located as links at bottom of page
PROMO:        Promotional materials are located as links at bottom of page

The Kentucky State 4-H Program is pleased to announce the return of American Heritage in 2006!  This week long program, conducted in Washington DC, has long been a staple of 4-H members in Kentucky.  Youth participants will spend 6 nights, 7 days in Washington DC learning more about our Nation’s Capitol, the history of this area, and more about the civic process. 

The Kentucky American Heritage Conference is citizenship experience for Kentucky Senior 4-H members.

"The most important office in our land is that of private citizen." ......... Louis Brandeis

The 4-H American Heritage Conference will help prepare 4-Hers for the most important office in our land--private citizen! It is an opportunity to see our government in action, to gain new appreciation of our heritage, and to understand the responsibilities we have as American citizens. Combining the vast resources of the Nation's Capital with the staff and facilities of the National 4-H Council, 4-H American Heritage Conference brings 4-Hers face to face with our working government and the sites that celebrate our heritage. 4-H American Heritage Conference is a learning laboratory: discussions and debate, experience and exchange; involvement and inquiry, all woven together to make the conference as unique and exciting as the city itself.

Core Objectives

• Gain a greater understanding and appreciation of American Heritage.
• Develop a greater understanding of the function of our national government.
• Gain a better appreciation and understanding of several aspects of citizenship.
• Increase understanding of our democracy.
• Develop the cooperative attitude which is necessary for group living.

Program Highlights

1. Speakers and group participation on Citizenship learning experiences.
2. A trip to Mount Vernon and Arlington Cemetery.
3. An evening at the theater
4. A day at Capitol Hill and visits to Kentucky Congressmen's offices.
5. Visit the historic monuments; Vietnam War Memorial; Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.
6. Smithsonian Museum
7. Gettysburg

Date and Location

Date of Conference: June 24 - July 1, 2006

Location: Washington DC and surrounding areas.  Lodging at National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD

Intended Audience

Currently enrolled 4-H members who are Seniors in the program (Freshman-Senior)

Registration Fee:

Total Cost:  $900 (may be paid at one time or according to fee schedule below)

Commitment Fee (1^st payment) of $300: April 1, 2006

2^nd Payment of $300:  May 1, 2006

3^rd (Final) Payment of $300: June 1, 2006

Make check payable to:  Kentucky 4H Foundation with “AMERICAN HERITAGE” in the memo line

Registration should be sent to county and forwarded from the county.

County Offices can send registration to:

4-H American Heritage
C/O Stephanie Blevins
212 Scovell Hall
Lexington, KY  40546-0064

NO REFUNDS are available.  However, you may find a replacement delegate.

Deadline to Register

Date: April 1, 2005 (along with $300 commitment fee)

Contact the State 4-H Office for information regarding late registrations.

DELEGATE GUIDELINES

Delegates should:

• Be of high school age.
• It is suggested that, BE ENROLLED in and COMPLETE the citizenship project, Unit VI, "Exploring Citizenship, My Government" (4FB-02PO).
• Plan to continue their participation in 4-H.
• Serve as a teen leader after returning.
• Be interested in promoting better citizenship by designing a plan of action for their local club or county.
• Delegates MUST ATTEND orientation meeting with parents/guardians.
• Be willing to observe conference and National 4-H Center regulations.
• Complete Excess Insurance Information.
• Must submit personal health insurance information upon request.

LEADER QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be committed to the 4-H program.
• Be willing to assist, the chaperon agents, in supervising delegates from their district, but realize their chaperone duties extend to the entire delegation.
• Recognize this is a working conference.
• Be actively involved in all programs of the conference.
• Attend the district contact agent orientation meeting.
• Work with National Council program assistants in coordinating committee assignments.
• Serve as assistant to Agents to ensure the delegates abide by the code of conduct.

STATE STAFF COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support County and/or District through updated information.
• Make facility and program arrangements with the National 4-H Center.
• Secure group excess insurance only.
• Develop budget and determine Conference fees.
• Receive the conference fees from the Contact Agents making the trip.
• Conduct orientation for 4-H Contact Agents.
• Make monetary transactions for routine expenditures, transportation, National Center lodging, meals and program costs.
• Secure bus transportation and determine pick up points.

DISTRICT CONTACT AGENT GUIDELINES

• American Heritage Contact Agents (or Agents assigned by district Directors) will be selected to accompany the group.
• It is preferred, Agents accompanying the delegation must have delegates attending from their county.
• The number of agents attending will be determined by delegation size and chaperon needs.

CONTACT AGENT:

1. Provide the State Office applications and health forms of delegates & leaders, and to District Program Director a typed list of delegates by April 1.
2. Attend state orientation meeting as assigned by State Coordinator (If Scheduled)
3. Conduct a District Orientation for delegates, parents and leaders, no later than four weeks before date of trip (set dates by June 1).
4. Submit to the State Office no later than one week after District Orientation:
   a. Roommate preference
   b. Committee choice
   d. Health form (signed)
5. Assist delegate(s) with transportation arrangements within their Extension district.

AGENT(S) ACCOMPANYING DELEGATION
1. Correspond (written) with delegates and leaders on their assigned bus regarding the trip.
2. Provide name tags for assigned delegates/leaders.
3. Confirm in writing congressional appointments of assigned districts.
4. Assist and support State Coordinator with question(s) regarding program, schedule and any other duties assigned.

COUNTY AGENT

1. Publicize and distribute American Heritage application to all 4-Hers and leaders who show an interest in participating. Some ideas include: asking former delegates to speak to prospective youth; news article and radio programs; 4-H web page.
2. Assist delegates/leaders with correct information on application and money by deadline for county or district sponsored events..
3. Assist delegate(s) with completion of the Citizenship Project VI, "My Government" (4FB-02P0) before trip.
4. Assist delegate(s) with transportation arrangements within their own counties.
5. Assist delegates in attending State Capitol Tour, Frankfort, KY.
6. Attend district orientation.

DELEGATE QUOTA
* Each district has the opportunity to send 6 delegates.  This will be decided amongst the district.
*If a district has more delegates than their quota, rank the alternates in the order of priority.

LEADER QUOTA -
*Each REGION has the opportunity to send one agent chaperone.  District should submit a name of a selected POTENTIAL chaperone.  Select will be conducted at the state level.

ONE BUS will be reserved, allowing for a maximum participation of 50, including 4-Hers, leaders and agents. Extension districts which have their registration in to the State Office on time will receive priority in terms of delegate, alternate and leader attendance.

Forms

Delegate Application (applicants with completed applications will be mailed additional paperwork) [PDF]

Promotional Materials

4-H American Heritage Brochure (outside) [Word Document]

4-H American Heritage Brochure (inside) [Word Document]

“What is 4-H American Heritage” [PowerPoint]