High School Seniors May Apply to National Youth Science Camp

The Governor’s Office and the Arizona Department of Education are currently taking applications from high school seniors for the 2013 National Youth Science Camp.

Two Arizona high school seniors will receive a full scholarship to exchange ideas with scientists and other professionals from the academic and corporate worlds. The nearly month long experience includes lectures and hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation. There will also be overnight camping trips and a visit to Washington, D.C.

Selected delegates must demonstrate both academic achievement in science and the potential for thoughtful scientific leadership.

Application packets are available on the National Youth Science Camp website at www.nysc.org. Applications must be received by February 15.

Native American Youth Champions for Change Program

The Center for Native American Youth is taking applications for the Champions for Change program. The program recognizes Native youth between 14 and 24 who are making a positive impact in their tribal or urban Indian communities.

For information visit cnay.org.

Public Meeting to Discuss Youth Sports

A public meeting of the Copper Youth Basketball League will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6:30 pm. The public is invited to share ideas at this meeting about starting new sports programs.

The meeting will take place in the Board of Supervisors room at the Gila County Courthouse.

Afterschool Programs Directory Available Online

Arizona parents can now use an online directory to help them find programs to help their children after school. There are programs for recreation, tutoring and mentoring.

The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence directory is available in both English and Spanish. You can search the directory by location to find programs across the state.

Visit the directory at www.azafterschool.org.

Youth Theater Workshops This Summer at CVCA

The Summer Youth Musical Theater Program is offering seven weeks of Theater Arts workshops at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts.

The workshops will be held Monday through Friday mornings in the third floor theater facilities.

In addition to several one-week workshops, a five-week musical theater workshop begins on June 18 and concludes with the final performance on July 21. This year the participants will perform “Pied Piper the Musical.”

Registration begins Monday (May 21) at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. For more information call 425-0884.

Gila County Council for Kids Mother's Day Tea

The Gila County Council for Kids Mother’s Day Tea will take place Sunday at Dream Manor Inn. It’s from 1 to 4:pm.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. Proceeds go to help children in southern Gila County. Call 425-1490 for information.

More Kids in Poor Neighborhoods

A new “Kids Count” report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that the number of children living in high poverty communities has increased by 25% over the last ten years.

Public News Service reports that the study shows that even if a family is not officially “in poverty” according to federal standards, it still harms children when a lot of other people in the neighborhood are.

Casey Foundation associate director of policy reform Laura Speer says that living in a poverty area limits the opportunities families have to get a better job and make sure their children are healthy and cared for.

More Research Shows Links Between Media Violence and Aggression

Studies are continuing to show that children exposed to television and video game violence tend to show aggressive behavior.

KTAR.com reports that a recent study of more than 200 middle school students showed that even the use of profanity in media can cause them to become more physically aggressive. Brigham Young University researchers found that exposure to foul language had the same effect as exposure to physical violence.

The researchers suggest that open communication with children about this and anything else helps them become healthy and well-adjusted.

Report Says Putting Kids in Jail Doesn't Work

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation says that putting kids behind bars doesn’t keep them from committing crimes later on. The report says decades of research along with new data shows that incarceration doesn’t provide public safety benefits, wastes taxpayers’ money, and exposes young people to violence and abuse. It says that the “crimes” in most juvenile cases are minor. Most juveniles are either charged with nonviolent offenses or are there primarily for acts of defiance to adults.

Public News Service reports that several states are already moving away from relying on juvenile incarceration, mainly because of budget problems or scandals over abuse in institutions. More than 50 facilities have been shut down nationwide since 2007.

Last year Arizona Governor Jan Brewer proposed shutting down the State Department of Juvenile Corrections and transferring those resonsibilities to counties. The child welfare and juvenile justice director of the Children’s Action Alliance says locking up fewer kids is a good idea, but the governor’s plan would have simply cut the budget without supporting community-based programs that provide better results at a fraction of the cost. Beth Rosenburg says juvenile jails especially don’t work for children with mental health problems, who make up more than a third of the kids in the Arizona system.

You'll find the full report at www.aecf.org.

'GrandRally' for Kids Cared for by Grandparents

A “GrandRally” is being held today (Thursday) in Washington, DC to call for better policies to support the 2.5 million grandparents who are raising their children’s kids.

The National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights says that as of 2010, nearly 8 million children nationwide were living with relatives. This includes 147,000 children in Arizona.

Public News Service reports that about 10 times as many children are being cared for by grandparents as are in foster care. The group is urging that programs like Social Security be strengthened, and benefits be extended to reach more children in care of “grand-families.”

Arizona Ranks Near Top for Teen Suicides

Teen suicide rates in Arizona are among the highest in the nation.

Arizona Teen Life Line says that 26,000 teens in Arizona attempt suicide each year. Arizona ranks tenth in the nation for teen suicides.

KTAR.com reports that Arizona has consistently been in the top ten since 1985.

Kids Sleep Less Due to Electronic Media

A new report shows that today’s children don’t get enough sleep because of overstimulation by electronic media.

Report author Kevin Coyle says that a generation ago children spent hours outdoors playing and interacting with others. Public News Service reports that today the average Arizona child or teenager spends 7 to 8 hours a day on a computer or cell phone, playing video games or watching television.

Coyle says that children between 8 and 18 lose an average of 10 to 14 hours of sleep a week because they are overstimulated by electronic use. He says parents can help restore some balance by making sure children get outdoor exercise. Natural light helps promote sleep. Coyle also suggests that kids “unplug” from computers, cell phones and TV’s at least an hour before bedtime.

The report is online at nwf.org.

Arizona Shows Improvement in Kids' Well Being

The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that Arizona has moved up two spots in the state rankings. But the state is still in the bottom half in 9 of the study’s 10 indicators of children’s well-being.

Public News Service reports that one of Arizona's worst indicators is children in families who are hit by foreclosure, twice the national rate. Arizona also did poorly in terms of children living in poverty.

Children's Action Alliance president Dana Naimark says Arizona’s ratings are likely to get worse next year. She says the data just released is really from 2007 through 2009, which was before the major impacts of the recession and the recent budget cuts.

Summer Youth Musical Theater Events

Tickets for the Summer Youth Musical Theater production of “Alice in Wonderland” are selling fast. Performances are on July 8, 9, 15, 16 at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts. Call 425-0884 to reserve your seat.

There will be a Mad Hetter Style tea party after the 7:pm performance on July 8 and 16. For $5 you’ll get a choice of dessert and a choice of beverage.

And on Thursday, July 14 at 7:pm enjoy the Rootbear Float event outside the Center for the Arts. Cast members will perform songs from Alice in Wonderland.

Meanwhile the Summer Youth Musical Theater Program is hosting an art exhibit at the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts called “Wonderland.” It is available for viewing between 10:am until 3:pm Monday through Friday from now through August 31.

Summer Youth Musical Theater Presents Six Performances in July

The Summer Youth Musical Theater program will present six performances of “Alice in Wonderland” in July. The shows usually sell out by early June so contact the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts to see if seats are still available. Call 425-0884.

Copper Basin Coalition Meets Thursday

The Copper Basin Coalition’s monthly meeting is Thursday from 12 until 1:pm at the Chamber of Commerce.

Anyone concerned about youth in the community doing drugs, underage drinking, teen pregnancy, and domestic violence due to substance abuse is invited to attend.

Refreshments will be served.

Underage Drinking Town Hall

A Town Hall on underage drinking will be held Wednesday night at 6:00 in the Miami High School auditorium.

Teens who attend will be entered into a drawing to win free Prom tickets to the school of your choice for every adult you bring.

Lawmakers Consider Head Injury Bill

Arizona legislators are considering a bill to protect student athletes from head injuries during games. The bill would require all schools to pull a player from a game immediately if a head injury is suspected. ABC15 reports that the player would not be allowed to return until examined and cleared by a doctor.

Studies show that if players return to the game too quickly, another concussion could cause more problems. It can even be deadly.

The Arizona Sports Concussion Network says 40% of players receiving a concussion return to the game too soon.

Meeting to Keep Boys and Girls Club in Globe

A brainstorming session to try to keep a Boys and Girls club in Globe will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Chamber of Commerce office. Stop by between 5:30 and 6:30pm. The club was originally under the San Carlos charter but that is no longer available.

The Boys and Girls Club was serving 40 youngsters a day with after school programs, and it offered an extensive recreation program last summer.

Gila Monster Meeting

Gila Monster Go Carts is having their 2011 season meeting on Wednesday at 6:30pm at the FOP Lodge in Claypool. Gila Monster Go Karts are for ages 6-18 years old. Anyone interested in racing is encouraged to attend.