Youth Life Skill DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Shelby County CES

Title:
Youth Life Skill Development
MAP:
Life Skill Development
Agents Involved:
Regina Browning, Sheila Fawbush
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Youth Development Programming
Situation:

Shelby County 4-H is committed to growing outstanding youth with marketable skills to success in today's global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnerships with caring adults. Volunteers, 4-H agents and assistants offer educational programming that allows youth to develop important life skills that they can carry with them into adulthood.


When it comes to the development of life skills, a strong case can be made for the need to go beyond mere transfer of knowledge to giving youth the opportunity for a variety of supportive, related learning experiences to significantly increase the program's influence. 4-H offers basic learning activities on a topics of interest to the youth, but the addition of activities that support that interest (such as fair exhibits, related subject matter workshops or day camps, fields trips, and decision making judging contests) significantly increase the development of life skills in youth.


Research consistently shows a correlation between involvement in the arts, academic success and civic engagement. Unfortunately, there has been a sharp decrease over the years in Arts programs in our schools. Kentucky 4-H Youth Development has an opportunity to fill this void and inspire future artists across the Commonwealth.


Youth will learn scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, engineering and technology issues in Kentucky and globally.Through the Land Grant University and Extension system, 4-H can expand its impact and extend its reach in science, engineering and technology (4-H SET) by providing opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs.


How we live life is ever-changing but learning basic life skills is still as important as ever. Learning to practice healthy habits, select clothing to emphasize one’s best appearance, create and live within a budget, prepare nutritious meals safely, nurture children, create a safe and pleasant home environment, practice common courtesies, and form relationships with others—all of these skills are basic to everyday life. Many schools no longer include family and consumer sciences classes in the curriculum. Reality is that today’s youth and adults are busier than ever. Many of these basic life skills are not consistently taught to youth at home or at school. 4-H family and consumer sciences projects equip youth with these skills

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Youth will be responsible and contributing individuals and family members.

•Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.

•Youth contribute to a safe, pleasant and productive home and family.

•?Youth utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.

•Youth share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community.

•Youth become more comfortable sharing their thoughts with others.

•Youth develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as a result of their participation in 4-H Programs

•Youth will utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their daily life.

•Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.

•Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making.

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Youth will project a positive image and self-confidence

•Youth will practice responsible consumer and financial decision-making

•Youth will practice healthy eating choices

•Youth will make choices that lead to responsible and beneficial results

•Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future

•Youth will utilize and practice life skills in projects and life situations

•Youth will use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and technology.

•Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering and technology with others.

•Youth will practice scientific methods learned in 4-H SET programs.

•Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers in science, engineering and technology programs.

•Youth construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing.

•Youth present before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting), a school or county qualifying event.

•Youth demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups.

•Youth use their communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H or other organizations.

•Youth apply elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts in creating and performing.


Initial Outcomes:

•Youth will gain knowledge and develop skills in Family & Consumer Sciences projects and programs

•Youth will understand the decision-making process

•Youth gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action

•Youth learn to read and follow instructions

•Youth will increase interest and engagement in 4-H science, engineering and technology.

•Youth learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.

•Youth will be introduced to careers in science, engineering, and technology.

•Teens participate in science, engineering and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills.

•Youth research a presentation topic prior to developing a speech or demonstration.

•Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration. Youth create a formal presentation, speech or outline using the written outline.

•Youth be prepared to present before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting) and a school or county qualifying event.

•Youth can identify key elements of music, dance, drama and visual arts.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:Knowledge and skill gained in area of interest through 4-H project work or educational opportunity

Indicator: Number of youth completing projects, participating in educational events or 4-H Contest

Method: fair entries, observation, evaluations

Timeline: conclusion of project year


Intermediate Outcome: Youth demonstrate effective use of new skills and apply to everyday situations

Indicator: Number of youth making good choices, adopting new habits, sharing skills with others, mentoring younger members and assuming leadership roles

Method: observation, evaluations, leadership roles filled, self and parental reporting

Timeline: second or more years of 4-H involvement


Long-term Outcome: Youth become competent, caring contributing adults that are gainfully employed.

Indicator: Former 4-Hers that are gainfully employed , contributing to their community and lead safe and productive home life

Method: observation and followup with former members and their families.

Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Spring & Fall Project Days

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, supplies, curriculum

Date: Fall Break 2019, Spring Break 2020


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Shelby County Communication Event

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteers, Curriculum,

Date: April/May 2020



Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Country Ham Speeches

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, volunteers

Date: August 2019


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Sewing and Fashion Revue

Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, volunteers, sewing machine, patterns

Date: January-April 2020


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Sewing Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, volunteers

Date: Monthly


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Individual and Independent 4-H Projects

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum

Date: year round


Audience: 4-Hers and Families

Project or Activity: Extension Open House

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and Marketing materials

Inputs: club members, volunteers, displays

Date: November 2019


Audience: High School Youth and Parents

Project or Activity: Paying for College Class

Content or Curriculum: KHEAA materials, MoneyWise,

Inputs: KHEAA representative, handouts

Date: November 2019


Audience:Middle School youth

Project or Activity: Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: Reality Store curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, curriculum

Date: April/May 2020


Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: National 4-H Science Day Experiment

Content or Curriculum: Science Day Materials, SET

Inputs: National Science Day kits

Date: October 2019


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Program

Content or Curriculum: Shooting Sports guidelines

Inputs: certified coaches, range, club equipment

Date: March-September 2019


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, supplies

Date: June/July 2020


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Food-A-Rama

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health and FCS Curriculum

Inputs: volunteers, prizes

Date: July 2019


Audience: Camp Adult and Teen Volunteers

Project or Activity: Bullying Prevention Education

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum

Date:May/June 2020


Audience: 4-H School Clubs

Project or Activity: This is Shelby County Citizenship Program

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Citizenship, Local Officials, Local History

Inputs: curriculum

Date: January 2020



Success Stories

Increased Opportunity to Attend 4-H Camp in Shelby County

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

Research has shown youth gain multiple benefits from 4-H camp experiences in the areas of leadership, character development, self-esteem, decision-making skills, independent living skills, and citizenship. Shelby County 4-H has a long tradition of 4-H Camping.  As a result, long waiting lists were generated each year with campers that wanted to attend but could not be accommodated.   For the 2019 camp season, Shelby County 4-H had an opportunity to increase the number of youth that cou

Full Story

Teens Gain Life Skills Planning Day Camp

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

Research has shown that 4-H participation helps to develop essential life skills through positive youth development.  The greater the intensity and breadth of experiences, the more the youth gain from their participation.  Shelby County 4-H provided a unique learning experience for teens by allowing them to plan and conduct a 4-H Day Camp for younger 4-Hers.Teens were selected by an application and interview process.  Monthly planning sessions were held for six months prior to the

Full Story

4-H STEM Challenge

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Core Curriculum

Careers in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) are expected to grow at faster rate than the average for all other occupations based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In this field workers use their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) to try to understand how the world works and to solve problems.  Introducing youth to SET activities can spark an interest and develop skills that can provide a framework to future success in these

Full Story

4-H Reaches Youth During Pandemic

Author: Regina Browning

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

Shelby County 4-H provides programming in multiple programming modes, most with hands-on, experiential learning methods.  When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it forced schools to close, offices to shut down and 4-H families to quarantine at home.  As a result, a new approach to providing 4-H opportunities had to be developed.  The 4-H Agent, program assistants, SNAP-Ed Assistant and other Extension Agents planned and assembled a series a pick up projects to distribute from the porch o

Full Story
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