The Alaska CYFAR Project is currently being implemented in two separate communities- Glennallen, with the sub-award agreement being held by Copper Valley Development Association and the community of Nenana, through the sub-award agreement with Tanana Chiefs Conference in Fairbanks.

The unique nature of this project is to create youth-adult partnership teams guided by CES faculty and staff, site coordinators and YAP Leaders to deliver safety education programming associated with ATVs.

The joint effort partnership uses the four essential elements of 4-H Youth Development: Belonging, Mastery, Independence and Generosity, along with the eight individual components of Iowa State University Extension Targeting Life Skills Model.

Project teens are involved in camps, skillathons, public speaking and safety demonstrations. Teens in groups of six to ten guided by 4-H staff and community YAP Leaders serve as community ambassadors providing classroom, community and special activity safety messages and programs associated with safety and proper use of ATVs.

Teens living in these two selected community sites are key to helping reduce injury and death associated with ATV use. The teens gain life skills, are seen as contributing members of their communities while they are engaged in service learning.

Nenana held their first ASI Riders Certification Course in September resulting in four ASI certified teen riders, resulting in an almost immediate change of attitude amongst the certified teens in respect to proper ATV use and safety.

Contact Project Coordinator Becky Bruntz at 907-474-1909 or rfbruntz@alaska.edu