Youth Programs

For David W. Hornbeck, it's not that far a cry from the tough urban schools of Baltimore and Philadelphia to those of Lima, Peru, where children grow up in poverty, and drugs and violence are commonplace. Hornbeck served 12 years as Maryland state schools chief and six as superintendent in rough-and-tumble Philadelphia. Now he's back in Baltimore at the nerve center of a worldwide network of organizations devoted to improving the lives of boys, girls and young adults. Hornbeck is the new president and chief operating officer of the International Youth Foundation, a 14-year-old philanthropic organization that awards money to youth programs - many of them politically sensitive - in 53 countries, yet has little visibility in its hometown.

Leadership Howard County is recruiting high school sophomores for next year's leadership class and will host two information sessions from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Feb. 11 at the Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Lane in Columbia. Application deadline is March 12. For more information, go to leadershiphc.org or contact Diane Freedman at dfreedman@leadershiphc.org. div.talkforum #creditfooter { display: none; } div.talkforum .feedItemAuthor { display: none; }

Parents interested in having their children participate in the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth have until Nov. 30 to enroll them. The program is for bright students in second through eighth grades. The students must take tests, offered locally, to qualify them for CTY's summer or online courses for academically gifted students. Financial aid is available for children eligible for the free- and reduced-price lunch program. Information can be found by e-mailing ctyinfo@jhu.

This week, the Department of Natural Resources again begins its Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs program at four locations, including Patapsco Valley State Park.The program conducts free clinics for children ages 7-13, instructing on fishing, wildlife, wetlands and water safety through short demonstrations and interactive instruction."Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs accomplishes one of our leading goals, to instill a natural resources stewardship ethic in all Marylanders," said DNR secretary John R. Griffin.

Spending $70 to $100 million dollars on a new juvenile jail in East Baltimore — or any new juvenile jail for that matter — is not the best, most cost-effective way to proceed ("Downsizing juvenile jail" May 13). In Baltimore and around the country, there is increasing evidence that community-based alternatives to secure detention are decreasing recidivism rates and improving the lives of juveniles and their families while saving millions of taxpayer dollars. The Baltimore Youth Advocate Program (YAP)

TO CELEBRATE the activities, talents and contributions of Manchester's youth, everyone associated with the younger generation can be part of a Youth Day festival Oct. 2 at the Manchester carnival grounds on York Street.Groups and organizations devoted to positive experiences for children are invited to offer demonstrations and display information. Many groups typically offer free crafts for youngsters. No fee is charged for participation, and admission is free.About 2,000 people attended the first Youth Day last October, getting an opportunity to discover supportive activities for children in Manchester.

The Carroll County Public Library will hold its summer reading programs June 12 through Aug. 5. The five branches will offer reading and other programs for children. Reading Rhythms is open to children from infancy through fifth grade. The eight-week program combines reading and music with game activities. Children can earn weekly reading incentives, watch programs and enter weekly prize drawings. Incentives include a summer reading bag with a game board, bookmark, Baltimore Zoo pass and more.

A Baltimore police program to help teen-agers that is financed by selling Oriole tickets has run into hard times, apparently a victim of subdued interest in baseball because of last year's strike.Officer Milton L. Corbett, who is coordinating the annual fund-raising effort, said that only one-tenth of the tickets the team donated to Buddies Inc., which sponsors the Police Explorer Scout Program, has been sold, threatening a trip to Arizona for about 40 teens.For each ticket Buddies officials sell, the Orioles donate $3 to the program.

At a time of heightened concern about youth violence, Baltimore County social workers and school counselors came together yesterday to preview a nationally used program that helps young people build stronger relationships by understanding their emotions.About 60 Baltimore County representatives learned about the philosophy of PEERS (Practical Exercises Enriching Relationship Skills), which teaches young people how to solve conflicts by coping with stress, communicating effectively and managing anger.