​Third Thursdays Together

Recordings
Each Third Thursday, we join together for content that supports our work with military-connected youth and families. From curriculum to use to trends in youth development, Third Thursdays are our learning environment. 

We are excited to sharing recordings of past Third Thursdays along with resources if applicable.
​
Mark your calendar to participate each month or schedule time to catch up with our recordings.
Recordings
Thinking Traps
Emily Golinsky, Bright Moose, LLC
Our brains are amazing resources, but sometimes, they play tricks on us that prevent us from doing our best work. These “mind traps” (also known as “thinking traps” or cognitive distortions) can cause short-term emotional distress that mirrors common mental health challenges and affects judgment and good decision-making. Join Emily to learn about the fascinating human tendency to fall into these traps and the strategies you can use to avoid them. It’s essential learning so you stop hearing staff (or yourself!) say things like “I should have been able to do this without help” and other self-defeating commentary. With our session, you will learn (1) 10 ways the brain “tricks” us into negative thinking, (2) specific strategies that combat these thinking traps, and (3) how biases in others’ thinking can affect collaborative work and solutions for these situations. ​
Discover 4-H Curriculum
​Stacey MacArthur & Meggan Callister, Utah State University
Created for a variety of settings, Discover 4-H curriculum provides resources for all ages in 4-H club programming. Learn more about the different clubs, offerings, and possibilities as you explore some of the more than 50 programs available.
Cultivating Curiosity
​Shawnie Sahadeo, University of Georgia
Cultivating curiosity when working with youth leads to greater interest and investment in learning. We will explore three ideas that, when used together, can cultivate curiosity in various settings. We'll use a new resource, the Ouisi games, to build excitement and brainstorm together how best to use these concepts with children and youth of all ages.​
Beat the Heat
​Katie Bowker, Georgia 4-H, The University of Georgia
The weather is warming and we'll find ourselves outside in the heat more and more. Georgia 4-H Journeys in Health & Safety includes Handle the Heat. A magazine for middle school students that has accompanying activities and lessons, Handle the Heat is a great resource. Katie Bowker will share an overview of the resources and activities to use in a variety of settings.
For the  Love of the Game: Clover Gaming
Kathleen Bohde, Purdue Extension/Indiana 4-H
Games are an all-inclusive way for youth to learn STEAM, create family connections and peer networks. Clover Gaming Connection delivers 12 plus hours of content that encourages innovation, imagination and cultivates creativity in board game design. We believe gaming and game design is a way to develop programming that excites youth and allows participants to see possibilities for their future. This session will go over curriculum and many implementation options to fit the needs of youth programming. Participants will be give access to all grab and go lessons developed by Clover Gaming team to be used at youth meetings for sampling of interest.
Thriving with Physical Activity & Skillastics
Jessica Johnson, Skillastics
​Although learning stems from many variables, health is a vital factor in a child’s ability to learn, thrive, and be successful. Multiple studies confirm that the health benefits of physical activity are not only cardiovascular and muscular fitness but also social emotional outcomes and brain health. When kids are moving, they are learning. When kids are moving, they are thriving. Skillastics is a physical activity program designed to simplify engagement in movement, sports, skill and more. Join Jessica Johnson, Skillastics, as we explore one approach to fitness, sport-skill development, SEL, and even STEM. Whether indoors or out, we’ll explore how movement becomes part of your programming and supports youth thriving.
Balance is a Myth
Dan Faill
Often when  we hear the phrase “work/life balance” but have zero clue how to actually achieve that unicorn status. That’s because it doesn’t exist. This program dives into the myth of balance while exploring different tips and tricks to hack your day and week to be more productive and live a more “balanced” life.
Astronomy: It's Out of This World
Kasey Bozeman, The University of Georgia
Are you ready for a session that is out of this world? Young people are obsessed with learning about space … it’s not just a (moon) phase! Astronomy is the branch of science which deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole. Georgia 4-H developed 2 publications and a series of lesson activities related to astronomy topics for upper elementary and middle school students. During this training, participants will learn about astronomy content and activities as it relates to science education. Topics include (1) the history of the universe and space study, (2) the relationship of Earth, sun, and moon, (3) our solar system, (4) moon phases, and (4) eclipses. Be a luna-tic and blast off as you learn more about these awesome resources!

Overcoming Your Inner: Addressing Imposter Syndrome ​

Dan Faill
Have you ever felt out of place, like you don’t belong? Maybe you’ve been elected to serve an organization and don’t feel like you’re qualified, or you're waiting for the other shoe to drop and people will find out you're a fraud. Turns out, you’re not alone. A study from the Journal of Behavioral Science found that 70% of people feel like an imposter at some point in their life. Let's dive into understanding that little annoying voice that tells us we're not good enough, or not ready enough, or just not enough in general, while giving mindset tips and tricks you can use for the rest of your life.

Your Thoughts Matter: Navigating Mental Health

Amanda Raines & Jamie Dellifield, The Ohio State University
What is mental health, and how are many people affected by related issues like anxiety and depression?   Understanding and explaining this can be difficult for youth development professionals as they meet the needs of the youth in their programs. It is vital to the health of our young people to learn to answer these questions. Authors of the workbook, Your Thoughts Matter, Amanda and Jami will share strategies for using this curriculum in a variety of ways with youth. And address best practices to supporting military-connected youth and families as they navigate and understand mental health.

​​ Emotional Wellness Curricula

Teaching young people how to identify emotions, build resilience, and know how to talk about mental health is a daunting task for youth development professionals, but it is vital to the health of our young people. According to the National Council on Wellbeing, Young people need to be educated on discussing their mental wellbeing and asking for help when needed. This new 4-H curriculum is perfect for starting those conversations with 8 to 12-year-olds. The project book helps you explore emotions, how to express them, and how to react to them positively.

Engaging Family Events


The Science House at NCSU North Carolina director Jason Painter explores best practices for family engagement events. Learn strategies to have children, youth, and adults engaged in a variety of activities that extend experience together. The Science House supports science exploration for all ages and has kits and resources available for Family Science events. 

​Learn, Grow Eat & Go -- Curricula for

your Program

The Learn, Grow, Eat & Go curriculum, created by teachers, is a multifaceted gardening curriculum that is fun, academically rich, and research-baed. Through a linear set of lessons with hands-on activities, your group can establish a thriving, easy-creation, and maintenance garden. Our session demonstrates youth-led & maintained garden installations and more. During the session, you can take part in hands-on activities from the curriculum. Bring one (1)  square paper towel, school glue, carrot seeds, and a marker to follow along.
​

Focus on
​
​Facilitation

Whether working with youth or adults, we all have the opportunity to add to the learning.  With a shift of the lens, we can take a simple craft to an example of teamwork, a discussion to a creation of deeper meaning. For our May Third Thursday we'll explore facilitation using the experiential learning process. We'll share strategies and approaches to take anything for a transition to an ongoing project to a more rewarding learning experience simply by how the facilitator (you) shifts the focus to the learner.  Our team has more than 60 years of experiences creating great experiences for adults and youth. 
Presenters
Dr. Harriett Edwards , North Carolina 4-H Military Liaison and CYFAR PDTA grant Principal Investigator 
Ms. Jenny Jordan - Navy 4-H Specialist ​

Cloverbud Reading
​
​Adventures

April 2023
Research shows that children who are read just one book a day from birth to kindergarten results in them hearing almost 300,000 words by the time they start school. We also know that sometime books help us begin difficult conversations with children. Join Ohio Cloverbud Design Team members to explore Ohio’s Cloverbud Reading Adventures. These easy-to-use resources for Cloverbud volunteers help promote literacy by connecting Cloverbuds to a book and complementary activities. A collection of approximately 20 books is currently available as free downloads with more books being added. During this session, presenters will highlight the books Ada Twist Scientist, A Kid in a Medieval Castle and The Day the Crayons Came Home by sharing related elated activities. They will also talk about the importance of literacy. Presenters will also briefly discuss Ohio’s other Cloverbud Resources.
Presenters - Ohio State University Extension
Dr. Scott D. Scheer
Rebecca Supinger
Rhonda Williams
Christy Millhouse 
​

The Art of Engagement:
​
​Storytelling for Leaders

March 2023
Did you know people are 20 times more likely to remember a fact relayed in a story? When was the last time a presentation made you sit up and take notice? Did you also notice the use of Storytelling? It’s the most effective way to convey a message to any audience! Storytelling allows you to connect emotionally with your audience, makes persuading them more manageable, and is more likely to garner the desired results. This interactive virtual workshop will introduce the most vital emotional connection tool we have to use in person and via written communication. Participants will understand the primary components needed for a complete story, the different types of stories to tell, and where/when it is best to tell a story. Participants will also learn how to tie stories to content and strategies to ensure a stellar performance.
Presenter
​Kerri Garbis , CEO & Founder of Ovation Communication is our session presenter. Kerri has trained hundreds of business professionals internationally on presentation skills, storytelling, etiquette, and emotional intelligence. Her enthusiasm, humor, and energy inspire multiple repeat-client engagements. ​​

Work Ready Life Skills Curriculum



​February 2023
Work Ready Life Skills teaches life skills people need to become qualified applicants for job openings around the country. The biggest skills gap for many first-time workers are problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. Purdue Extension developed Work Ready to teach the critical life skills our workforce needs to succeed in their first job. Join us in this webinar to learn how to implement the Work Ready Curriculum, the target audience, success stories, and ways the curriculum can be adapted for your needs.
Presenters
Monica Nagele is the Health and Human Science Educator in Montgomery County, Indiana. She has worked with the Montgomery County Probation Department, JAG, and the Montgomery County Leadership Academy to teach youth and adults the necessary skills to enter the workforce.
​Courtney Stierwalt began her Purdue Extension career as a 4-H Youth Development Educator. Working at the county level for 6 years, she transitioned into the role of Indiana 4-H Animal Science -Extension Specialist. Courtney facilitates youth and volunteer initiatives focusing on animal health, animal well-being, animal ethics, and career development.

Ignite Your Super Powers

January 2023
What is your passion or purpose? When we share our passions through a positive youth development (PYD) experience, these are our secret superpowers as they ignite excitement in others. How do we help youth find their secret superpowers? We will discuss using the 4-H THRIVE model to guide military-connected youth through PYD experiences to identify their passion and develop critical life skills.
Presenter
Dr. Candi Dierenfield serves as the 4-H State Specialized Agent, Volunteer Management, for the University of Florida. A Montana 4-H alum, Candi served as a member of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks 4-H faculty for more than fifteen years. During her time in Alaska, as the 4-H military liaison, she supported military-connected youth and families throughout the state.

​