4-H - Any ideas for youth service projects?

Q. I've recently taken over a 4-H club and would like to incorporate more community type service. We have made valentines for Veterans, and collected canned food for the food bank. Any other out of the box ideas? Thanks!
Sorry, I posted twice under different title.

A. Finally, a question that is right up my alley!
First have the kids brainstorm. They must have a buy in for the activity to be meaningful. Where do they see needs? Spead a newspaper on the floor and have the kids stand around looking at it to get ideas of things which need to be done. Have them write to local organizations ( a template letter is fine) and explain your group and ages, ask if they have any projects coming up in the next 2 years which could use their services. Once your club has selected the projects it wants to work on , forward the other responses to your County club or office so other clubs can get involved to. Also, we look at the pledge and try to do at least one service project in each area: club, community, country, world.
Examples: collect aluminum cans and donate to Humane Society
Help shelve book, work summer reading program, medn books, unpack and inventory at the local library, we have also donated glass display cases on wheels and a bulletin board and physically moved every book in the children's section when they built the new library.
We have a 4- H building which the clubs share. Our club has swept, cleaned, washed floors, bathrooms, painted inside of the building, cleaned drawers, refrigerator and freezer in kitchen, voluteered at the concession stand during fair, volunteered for display set up team at the state fair etc.
Nursing homes are always open to kids. we have arranged visits from the wolf refuge, brought in our pets for petting day ( including llama, shetland pony, guinea pig, pygmy hedgehog, rabbits, seeing eye dog etc.). One year we did monthly crafts with the residents. This year we are making two dozen table centerpieces each month for nursing homes. We have also helped decorate and delivered poinsettias to nursing homes.
We have adopted a local animal refuge which we visit a few times a year, donating food, items, picnic table and labor.
We also keep an eye on the local paper, donating money to local families whose homes have burned, who have exceptional medical expenses etc. Once, after the death of a favorite school bus driver, we helped the visually impaired widow close up her house, sort clothes and items, run a garage sale,and pack her items for the moving van.
Cleaning cemeteries, parks, and sections of roadside are popular.
Our homeschooling members are part of volunteer programs in the pre schools such as Buckle Bear, and reading stories.
Our local schools had their art budgets cut. We collected paper, fabric, buttons, glitter etc. to donate to schools.
We liason with other groups in the community, so we do not have to do the whole load such as making quilts to donate to the Warm the World project, or collecting items to mail to our service people overseas.
We collected children's clothing, washed, repaired them. The smaller items we donated to pre schools such as Headstart. The larger clothes we donated to local food and clothing banks.
The kids really enjoy adopting a family for Christmas, buying gifts for the kids and parents. We do something similar at Easter.
Several times we have helped serve for charity dinners and community events. We also collect and dump trash at the local outdoor art fairs.
Ther are many charities who raise money with walks, runs,and bike rides. Our kids either volunteer to do the walk etc. or else help serve food, drinks, unload luggage etc.
I have to say that one of their all time favorites was dismantling an old beaver dam across the creek at a local youth camp. They got absolutely filthy, carried fish by hand to the lower stream, and had the time of their life.

Well... we have done many more over the years, but I hope this gives you some ideas. Next, ask about fundraising activities. LOL

Original Question

Any suggestions for a unique eagle project?

Q. I'm looking for an eagle project, and i want it to be away from the usual. I don't want it to be planting a flower garden, painting a wall, building a fence, etc. Does anybody have any ideas that are unique? Please share your experiences of eagle projects you've participated in or have seen or observed. Thank you.

A. This is a partial list of 587 Eagle Scout projects that others have done.


benches for fairgrounds
Neighborhood Emergency Directory
Pavilion Landscape
Signs for Baseball Field
Water Garden
First aid kits for baseball leagues
Foot path at emmons bog
Art for Kids in Hospitals -- Kids Helping Kids
Trail Restoration
carnival booth
Bikes
Landscaping for New Fire Station
Street Beautification
homework center for for underprivileged children
Building a Barn
Arbors and Landscaping
ARMED FORCES Memorial Gezebo
Protect and Serve
Office Construction
Tool Shed
Repaint Fire Hydrants
Heart Screens For Teens
Africa
Dining Pavilion
Reflection Garden
Trail Steps
Video Documentary
Podiums
homes for the homeless
Community Paintball Field
Historical Marker Database
cottonwood hospital
Foot Bridges
Toiletries for the Homeless
Painting an old school house
Renovated an island in the school parking lot
Why not make a trail?
Little League Dugout Construction
operation safe child
Pioneer Park Interpretive Signage
Relay for Life - Logistics
animal protection fence
Directional signs
Church Hall Kitchen Renovation
Honoring the Troops in Iraq
My eagle Food Drive
Is Your (House) Number Up?
recycle day assistance.
Smoke Detector Survey
Brige
Stairs and Trail
Mobile Ham Radio Antenna Kits
Recycle Printer Cartridges
Hurricane Relief
Potato Drive
Fences
Playground Mulch Trail
parking lot
Painting Giant USA Map
Scout Summer Concert Series
Barbeque
The Two Rooms
Sand and Stain park benches
Sports field
BUILDING A HUNTING RANGE
Bike Drive
Toy and Book Drive
Cleaning up Brush for Fire-season
Storm drain
Park sign and gate
Animals to kids.
Donations for Kitten & Cat Rescue/Adoptions
Heart Screens For Teens
Elementary School Free Carnival
Benches
renovate church garden
Fire ring, picnic tables and benches
Support Orphanage in Ukraine
Flagstone Pathway
Built-in Bookcases for the Band Directors
Project Woobie
Perches Restoration at Camp Low
ASSISTING NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Dog houses for Healing Species
Medical Equipment Drive
War Veteran's Documentary
trophy case
3 Double Swing Gates
Built Bat Nurseries
Walking trail informational sign
Fishing Line Recycling Stations
Memorial Food Drive
Moose Island Wheelchair Board Walk on Boulder Lake
Disability accessable walk ways in the City park
Garbage Dumpster Enclosure
Charity Bike Race Sign Project
THE GREASTEST REWARD
School Sign
Parking Lot refurbishment
Bread shelves
Reading Room
Foot Bridge
Variety Show Raises Money for Care Packages
Outdoor Fitness Center at Roosevelt Park
School Landscaping
Rebuild Habatat
Pedestrian Footbridge
Mitten Tree
1.2 miles of mulching a trail
Trailhead Reconstruction
Coat Drive
Shoe Box Gifts
Court Yard Landscaping
Computer Troubleshooting Manual and Training
Emergency Preparedness Kits
Soup Kitchen
Boy Scout Resource Manual for Natural Disasters
Watershed DVD
Flash Card Set of Deaf Agency
Operation Christmas Child
Bicycle Drive
BBQ Grill for Nursing Home Residents and Family
Memorial Garden
PRE-SCHOOL PLAYARD UPGRADE
Back to School Backpacks
Flag pole, landscaping and watering system
Church Hall Kitchen Remodel
cemetary pavilon
Barn Raising
Collect Used Shoes
Cemetery Survey
Sound and Recording System
Athletic Storage Shed
Blood Drive
Healthy Living Poster Contest
Outdoor Stations of the Cross
Baseball Field Restoration
Cemetary Overhaul
Quilt-A-Thon
Lake Benches + Fence
Outdoor Stage
Handicap Access Ramp
Flag Retiriment
Church Beautification
Frisbee Golf Course
A carnival
Cemetery Beautification Project
Child Identification Cards
U.S. Flag Retirment Ceremony
Community Bulletin Board
Deck construction
Church Sitting Room Restoration
Winter Food Drive
Heavy wood clearing
Benefit Concert
campground restoration
Free Kids Booth
Glory to God Walking Path
tree plantin
Install a Computer Network - Chid Care Center
Map of U.S.A.
Concrete Bleacher Pads
Ident-A-Kid
Honor/Memorial Garden
Vernal Pool
Ancient Indian Waffle Garden Replica
Trail Ramps
helping the needy
Church Painting
Elementary School Outdoor Amphitheatre
Re-landscape church parsonage
Restoration of the Star of India.
CHURCH CHAIRS & PAINTING
flagpoles and retaining walls
CHURCH CHAIRS AND PAINTED CURBING
Main Camp Fire Ring
community bug defense
Fence for soccer fields
Smithsonian War Archives
http://www.scoutorama.com/contents/projects.cfm

Original Question

How can I raise money for my cycling races this season?

Q. I would like to raise about $250.00 that would cover all entry fees for the year. Is there a good way to do a fund raiser that will actually raise money? Or any other suggestions are welcome!

A. I have formerly managed a bike shop, bicycle club and coached their USCF racing team for almost 20 years. If you showed up on my doorstep and said that things were tight and you needed help with entry fees I would tell you that it is no problem. We would cover you as long as you were training hard and trying to produce results. I�m not sure I would even be concerned if you were not winning but just getting out there and doing your best. That is why you need to associate yourself with a club if you have not done so already. The emotional support and in some cases the financial help is a real benefit.

If you are out of your own (out of parent�s home), self supporting and riding for recreational reasons like the great majority of riders, then you can forget the idea of raising funds from others for entry fees. It would not be realistic to expect others to pay for your own recreational expenses.

As far as soliciting help for your entry fees, I would look at it this way. If you are a recreational rider and riding 200 miles per week (50 each day on weekend and other 100 miles during weekdays) or less you should be able to hold down a job. If you are a student you should still be able to pull down some money from some part time jobs. Remember that the National Time Trial Veterans Champion of a few years ago worked a full time job and did a lot of his training on a trainer. Many other riders who are very successful don�t ride full-time or ask for a dime from anyone.

If you are training 500-600+ miles per week it may be hard to work at the same time as riding has basically become your full time job. As you get up into those mileage ranges your life becomes mainly training, resting and eating.

If you are still living at home and funds are limited, there are some ways that you can raise funds. Again I would say that you need to do this only if you are at a very serious level. Here are a couple of ideas:

Do a Bike-a-Thon of your own. Explain to friends that you are going to do a 200 mile ride. You can plan to do this on your own or as part of an organized double century ride in your area. Explain that you are going to raise funds for your racing budget this year and what your hopes are for the future in your cycling career. Explain their sponsorship gift is not really tax deductible but that you need help. Can they pledge a set amount like $5 or a flexible amount like 5 or 10 cents per mile, etc?

Another idea is to go to local businesses and ask them to pay your entry fee for a particular race or series of races. Report back to them on how you did. Bring them signed pictures of you riding they can put up in their business. Offer to come speak to their employees on the benefits of cycling, bicycle commuting or safety tips for riding in traffic, etc. You may be able to pay them back with some of your expertise. Bring your racing bike and clothing along and show them your photo album. Yes - Start collecting a photo album. Have pics of you riding with the racing team you are affiliated with and racing shots, if possible. You will need this album to help sell yourself. Begin to have a log book of your riding with columns for daily mileage, notes about tempo and how you feel, morning resting heart rate (before you get out of bed), etc. All this will be important for you to not only track your training progress but to show others you are a professional and serious about things. Showing this to prospective sponsors along with your pics will convince them that you are the real deal.

If anyone gives you money you should put them on an e-mail list and keep them in the loop on your career. On local events they should be getting invitations to come watch you race. Once a year you invite everyone over for coffee and dessert at your place and give them your annual report. These should look at these folks as your core friends and supporters for the life of your time in the sport.

That is just a few ideas. Good luck.

Original Question

Do others playing incorrectly impact your chances in Blackjack?

Q. When others at your table are not playing Blackjack/21 correctly (i.e. not standing on 6 vs. 6, etc) ... do they really substantially impact the chances of everyone else at the table?

Is there any statistical study done proving to what degree they hurt everyone else?

A. Good morning Cjrossi,


I hope you are having a great day. We just finished the last of our Christmas gifts. Each year we can and dry fruits and vegetables from our trees and garden. Each friend and relative receives a big basket filled with quart jars of peaches, plums, pickles, pickled green cherry tomatoes, jams, and dried and fresh fruits.

Cjrossi, the answer to your question is YES. I do not believe there is a statistical study except my own studies for years and years. I guarantee Las Vegas Casinos know the answer is YES. You should watch the 2003 movie �The Cooler�. Although the movie is about craps, it is based on the same concept. Or you should have been with me when Las Vegas placed �Coolers� at my Blackjack tables. I know of eight (8) people who would also answer YES to your question, and they have been beating Las Vegas, Tahoe, and Indian Casinos for over forty (40) years. I know this answer will receive a lot of thumbs down, but I could care less. I am just trying to answer your question, because I have NEVER lost playing blackjack. I also know that you know something is wrong, otherwise you would not have asked this question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cooler


I was hired as a Longshoremen (I.L.W.U.), long money, at age 19. I have watched or shot more street dice, shot more pool, and played more poker/cards on the docks of San Pedro in one week than most people play in years. I have watched men shot dice ALL DAY. I have watched poker games go on all WEEKEND many times.

I would love to write a short quick answer to your question. But Cjrossi it is impossible to write about something I know most people on Yahoo answers and yourself would not understand. All gamblers think they are the best with gigantic egos. They treat gambling as a challenge.

Example: How does a combat veteran explain what war is like to someone who has not been there? How do I explain MY meaning for the Law of Averages and the Laws of �Probability�? Most gamblers play and read books on the Law of Averages. Anyone can learn this law.

What do I mean �Almost all gamblers play by the law of averages? They are just like a slot machine. They will have a lot of money the first hour. The next hour they will be down to almost nothing or broke. The Law of Averages will catch up with them. But they know all the odds. Some can even quote the odds. The Law of Averages is just like SCIENCE. Something someone has proven or can prove. GAMBLING IS NOT A SCIENCE. There is something else behind gambling.

The Law of Probability is totally difference. My understanding is if I flip a coin, the Laws of Average states there is a fifty-fifty (50%) chance of heads or tails. The Law of Probability states, I may flip �heads� a hundred (100%) straight times without flipping �Tails�. I call the Laws of Probability riding a �HOT STREAK, in the FAST LANE, or just plain LUCK.� The Law of Probability applies to every gambling game.

Because of my years of gambling, I watch for what I call, �signs� which signals when a gambler is riding a HOT STREAK, in the FAST LANE, or LUCK. I have always made more money riding other gamblers than shooting the dice myself. Most of them think they got lucky, and they did. Yet, I made all the money betting with them on the side. The Law of Probability is just like Philosophy.

It takes YEARS and YEARS of gambling to recognize these signs. Once a person learns to recognize these signs he must also know what to do. Rather you are shooting/playing pool, craps, poker, Blackjack or horses, recognizing these signs will show you how much to bet, when to bet, and the most important when to QUIT. Only EXPERIENCE will teach you the signs. Problem is most people would not know or have any idea of what to look for.

SIGN #1: Cjrossi, you always leave a Blackjack table when someone is playing bad. This is the sign, �When to quit�. For some reason Lady Luck will disappear. This sign can be broken, only for a SHORT period of time, if the bad player is BOTH totally drunk and has a huge stack of chips.

Many times I actually watch, without playing, tables for hours and days looking for a �sign�. These signs do not come often, but they can last for a long period of time. I work too hard for my money.

I always look and play along with the Law of Probability. It is always there. Cjrossi, you just do not recognize it. With your own question, you have seen a sign. I hope this will be a beginning. Stand back sometimes, watch, and learn. I am always more than happy to share years and years of knowledge.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqlT5wTamT5j4myqja2Ac_nty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100518175242AAzfPfZ

You and your family have a beautiful week. Peace, from Los Angeles.

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Title Post: 4-H - Any ideas for youth service projects?
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