DATE:       12/10/02
CONTACT:    Nancy Porter (864) 656-5718
Writer:     Kathy Wright
Editor:     Susan Bedingfield, (864) 656-3876; sbeding@clemson.edu

Extension certifies 34 
in mini-society training

	CLEMSON -- The Clemson Extension Service held a three-day mini 
society training session in November that certified 34 adults from 
across the state to teach the program.  
	The Mini Society works with youths in an experience-based 
instructional system teaching entrepreneurship, economics and 
citizenship concepts.  
	"Through Mini-Society, children ages 8-12 develop their own 
society in the context of entrepreneurship, and acquire concepts and 
skills in multiple subject areas," said Kathy Wright, Clemson Extension 
associate and certified trainer for the Mini-Society curriculum. 
"Mini-Society provides youths with a sense of empowerment and 
self-sufficiency. Participants have fun while learning."  
	Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds including 
4-H coordinators and 4-H program volunteers, schoolteachers and 
after-school youth program coordinators.  
	In this training session were a youth corrections officer, a 
minister and two credit union educators.  Each adult participant will 
implement Mini- Society with his or her youth clientele during the 
upcoming year, according to Wright
	In 2000 and 2001, Clemson University trained 93 adults in the 
Mini-Society curriculum.  They implemented Mini-Society with 1,024 
youths. 
	For more information about future Mini-Society curriculum 
training opportunities, contact Kathy Wright at 864-656-5990. 
                              END