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Phone: 518-853-2135

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fultonmontgomery@cornell.edu


PO Box 1500
20 Park Street
Fonda, NY 12068

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8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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News
Health Rocks! Youth Summit & Launch of Health Rocks! Carnival App
Posted 2/26/2014

National 4-H Council in partnership with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) hosted the first Health Rocks! Youth Ambassador Summit on January 30. The event, which was part of NIDA’s 4th annual National Drug Facts Week, brought together youth and adult leaders from several states and industry leaders to discuss solutions to fight substance use and abuse in their communities.

The event was opened by Lisa Lauxman, division director of Youth and 4-H at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, and Council's Chief Strategy Officer Andy Ferrin. After opening remarks and introductions, keynote speaker David Mineta, White House Deputy Director of Demand Reduction for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, took the podium.

After providing insight on what the department does and how they are working to control the availability of drugs in communities, Mineta’s speech was followed by state presentations. During this time, youth had an opportunity to share their thoughts on drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use in their communities among their peers, NIDA scientists and 4-H professionals.

After the completion of youth presentations, youth joined in a panel discussion with NIDA associates, including acting press officer Dr. Sheri Grabus and health science administrator Dr. Ruben Baler. From discussions on state drug policies to community issues, youth asked tough questions and provided powerful insight on the nationwide problem.

Finally, the launch of the new Health Rocks! Carnival app, an interactive learning game, was announced. The app, which is available for free download through iTunes for the iPad or as a desktop version on 4-H.org, is the first app created for a national 4-H curriculum. The game was created by Jeff Abele of Move Creative (who also developed the app for National Youth Science Day), and Shane Potter and Lyndsey Pohlmeier of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who adapted the game using content from the lessons in the Health Rocks! curricula. Through this game, youth test their health knowledge by participating in carnival-themed games. The overall health status of their player is determined by how many health points they obtain, which will either turn their player into a superhero or an unhealthy person.

Health Rocks! ® is curricula for a healthy living program targeted at young people ages 8 to 14. Health Rocks! helps youth develop life skills in the area of critical thinking, decision-making, communication, managing feelings, stress management and goal setting; in turn building resiliency skills, and promoting the resistance of risky behaviors.

4-H is uniquely equipped to deliver high-quality positive youth development. As the youth development program of the nation’s 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H produces research-driven programming with proven results. 4-H programs offer youth hands-on learning activities in three mission areas: science, citizenship and healthy living. 

For information about 4-H learning opportunities in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, interested individuals are encouraged to visit www.ccefm.com, call 518-673-5525 and visit the Cooperative Extension Office at 50 East Main Street in Canajoharie, New York Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.


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