Extension
It Starts With Us
Skills Development through Youth Development
Skills Development through Youth Development
4-H agent and assistant(s)
Agriculture
Science, Engineering, and Technology
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Natural Resources
Youth desire a chance to develop their skills in areas that interest them (mastery) while at the same time experiencing belonging, and developing meaningful relationships with caring adults. Youth development through 4-H and other youth-serving programs bring positive self-worth to individuals over their lifetime. They are able to set goals and develop and action plan to achieve. They are more likely to have confidence in their abilities, engage in community issues, be civic focused, and make positive choices that lead to a more stable life. They are more likely to return volunteer time to their organization as adults so they can mentor and provide positive youth development opportunities.
- Volunteer-led programming increases over time with new opportunities added to the 4-H Youth Development county program.
- 4-H camp is volunteer-led by former camp-age participants.
- Participants gain mastery of skills in their chosen field(s) of study.
- Experienced youth in a program area mentor new youth in the program.
- Youth display their project work at fairs or other types of county/area showcases.
- Youth utilize scientific method to solve everyday problems.
- Youth will increase STEAM knowledge in the general population and/or pursue careers in sciences and arts.
- Youth pursue careers in STEAM-related fields due to skills gained through 4-H.
- Youth make choices that protect the environment and natural resources.
- Youth produce entrepreneurial products for sale.
- Youth will create and apply skills learned from STEAM-programming.
- Youth adopt practices that make a positive impact on the environment, natural resources, and resources in the community.
- Youth practice skills learned through project work.
- Youth continue to attend 4-H camp year-after-year and gain leadership skills to be camp volunteers.
- Youth demonstrate the use of developed life skills in everyday situations.
- Youth acquire knowledge in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).
- Youth acquire skills in STEM and arts and/or develop an improved attitude toward STEAM-related subjects
- Youth acquire knowledge of careers in arts and sciences.
- Youth acquire knowledge of the interrelationship and interdependence of ecosystems and identify how natural resources are used in their home and community.
- Youth develop life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, etc.
- Youth enroll to attend 4-H camp while in elementary school.
Outcome: Youth learn and implement natural resource conservation practices.
Indicator: 25% of participants encourage recycling at home
Method: post-program evaluation; youth participate in a recycling program through 4-H
Timeline: spring
Outcome: Youth learn electricity concepts and construct circuits.
Indicator: 50% of youth can follow a pattern to complete a circuit
Method: observation
Timeline: winter
Outcome: Youth produce art and/or SET projects that can be entered into fairs.
Indicator: 1/3 of youth produce a quality final project
Method: observation and scoresheets
Timeline: conclusion of program
Outcome: County meets or exceeds state 4-H camp attendance expectations
Indicator: camp attendance
Method: final count of camp attendees
Timeline: summer
Outcome: sewing and needlework projects completed
Indicator: ½ of participants advance their knowledge and skills in sewing and needlework
Method: scoresheets from county and state fairs
Timeline: conclusion of project and fairs
Outcome: Food and Nutrition programs
Indicator: youth gain knowledge and skills to prepare food and make healthy food choices
Method: observation; post-program evaluation
Timeline: September-February
Outcome: Renewable Resources are chosen over non-renewable resources
Indicator: youth can recognize renewable resources vs. Nonrenewable resources
Method: observation; post-program evaluation
Timeline: Winter 2023
Audience: Youth
Activity/Project: 4-H Shooting Sports
Content/Curriculum: state 4-H shooting sports guidelines
Inputs: volunteer leaders; practice facility
Date: year-round programming
Activity/Project: electricity and energy education
Content/Curriculum: state and national 4-H curricula
Inputs: volunteers; curricula; Snap Circuits
Date: during school year
Activity/Project: 4-H Camp
Content/Curriculum: camp schedule
Inputs: attendees; volunteers; financial donations
Date: summer 2023
Activity/Project: Arts projects (including visual, music, theater, photography, etc.)
Content/Curriculum: 4-H curricula
Inputs: volunteers; financial support for arts resources; cameras
Date: throughout program year during evenings and/or daycamps
Activity/Project: science, engineering, and technology programs
Content/Curriculum: resources on KY 4-H SET website
Inputs: volunteers; hands-on kits; off-site location if needed
Date: fall/winter
Activity/Project: sewing day camps
Content/Curriculum: state and national 4-H sewing resources
Inputs: volunteers: meeting space: sewing machines, fabric, and notions
Date: throughout program year
Activity/Project: needlework programs
Content/Curriculum: 4-H needlework handbook
Inputs: volunteers; meeting space; yarn, fabric, threads, needles, etc.
Date: winter/spring
Activity/Project: cooking program
Content/Curriculum: national 4-H curricula; Super Star Chef curricula
Inputs: volunteers; meeting space; cooking utensils and ingredients
Date: September-March; summer day camps
Activity/Project: activity on renewable resources
Content/Curriculum: National Ag in the Classroom matrix
Inputs: volunteers; meeting space; youth; demonstration supplies
Date: Winter 2023
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Leadership
Several youth from ages 9-13 participated in an “Exploring 4-H Day Camp” in the summer of 2022. Since the pandemic has required a rebuilding of the 4-H and Cooperative Extension Service programs, this day camp allowed younger youth to experience part of the array of activities and disciplines that 4-H had to offer. The day began with learning about archery and shooting sports. The youth learned the parts of a bow as well as safety protocols before actually getting o
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Natural Resources
Russell County 4-H began its shooting sports program in the mid-1980s and was one of the first programs in the state of Kentucky. Kentucky 4-H is a nationally recognized program that fosters life skill development and positive youth development through healthy competition, service, leadership, and education. Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in the four overarching concepts of mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
The Russell County 4-H program offered a series of cooking classes to elementary school youth. The youth learned basic kitchen life skills such as reading a recipe, measuring ingredients, mixing ingredients, using small appliances, using an oven, and cooking/baking safety. Teaching youth to cook not only instills basic skills for living, it also promotes responsibility, healthy eating habits, and self-sufficiency. At the end of the program, the all of the youth indicated that t
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
The Russell Co. 4-H program presented a series of science activities in collaboration with the fourth grade classrooms in the Russell Co. School System. The program was presented to more than 225 youth. Science is part of the core curriculum for this grade as well as one of Kentucky 4-H’s seven core curricula areas. Over the school year, the students were presented with learning opportunities in the areas of general science/careers in science and using the scientific method for
Author: Christina A. Martin
Major Program: Arts and Community Health
Russell Co. 4-H youth created a collaborative art project for display for heart health month (February). Three hundred sixty-five youth, created Piet Mondrian hearts using the primary color pallet. By looking at the work of this artist, youth could see how primary colors can be used in art-making. These hearts were displayed at Russell County Public Library along with Cooperative Extension Service literature related to cardiovascular health; the public was also provided with CE
