Applications for Water First for Thirst Teen Leadership Board Due

Deadline extended to December 1, 2014!!

The Ohio State University Extension and College of Public Health have teamed up to create a new Water First for Thirst (WFFT) program involving a teen leadership board to help teens be promoters of healthy beverages in their communities. This project will include meetings with 4-Hers and Junior Fair Board members from all over Ohio, brand new educational materials, and activities created through youth input foryouth.

We are offering teens the opportunity to be specially selected leaders within their 4-H clubs, junior fair boards, FFAs and other organizations! Being chosen for a board position will give teens the opportunity to

• develop your leadership and communication skills
• be one of two WFFT board members to attend the 4-H National Youth Summit on Healthy Living in Washington D.C. (travel and registration paid by program)!
• have your name listed as a contributor to a brand-new health curriculum

Special consideration will be given to youth with experience in cooking/nutrition and fitness projects, but all youth between 15 &18 are encouraged to apply!  This is a great community service credit opportunity!

More details:
Childhood obesity is a major health problem that has reached epidemic proportions, more than tripling in the past 30 years. Factors contributing to obesity in children include unhealthy dietary behaviors such as high consumption of sweetened beverages; low fruit, vegetable, and dairy consumption; and limited physical activity. Evidence from a number of studies demonstrates that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with weight gain and obesity. Consumption of SSBs has increased dramatically.  They are the single largest source of added sugars in the diet for adolescents.

This leadership board will be made up of youth who would like to play a role in developing the new WFFT Leader Guide. These youth will meet twice in Columbus, Ohio (with all associated travel costs covered) in order to evaluate the content within the WFFT curriculum and to provide suggestions for further improvements. In addition, after the curriculum development is complete, the leadership board youth will attend the very first WFFT curriculum training at Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center (again all associated travel costs will be covered)! We believe this Teen Leadership Board will be vital to the development of a curriculum which is appealing and impactful to youth. We also see this board as being a great opportunity for teenagers to gain communication and leadership skills as they help us create a guide which will have real-world application.

Appy NOW!