Extension
It Starts With Us
Providing Positive Youth Development Experience
Providing Positive Youth Development Experiences
Mackenzie Pogue
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Health 4-H Core Curriculum
4-H Youth Development Programming
Volunteering develops self esteem, confidence, effective communication skills, and other assets kids need to succeed. Teens who volunteer are reported to do better in school, develop new career goals, and learn about career options. Youth who volunteer see themselves taking action against problems, and feel empowered to make a difference. Youth who volunteer learn about the interconnections within a community and see “real world” problems. According to the latest Search Institute’s Profiles of Student Life: Attitudes and Behaviors survey of Muhlenberg 6th-12th grade students, only 28% of the over 2000 surveyed indicated being given useful roles to serve in the community, this being one of the 40 developmental assets kids need to succeed. Creating a culture of youth giving back to their communities through leadership roles serves the multi-purpose process of personal empowerment, community development and helps to ensure a new generation of involved, volunteering youth - a top priority of Muhlenberg 4-H.
Teen Volunteers address critical issues that face our community.
Youth serve in volunteer roles, creating a sense of belonging and purpose.
Youth make less negative decisions as a result of peer role models.
Youth engage in community issues and needs and develop appropriate community service or service learning programs.
Youth develop communication skills that allow them to effectively communicate with peers, family and community leaders.
Youth utilize acquired delegation and leadership skills to teach or lead groups and programs; serve as active officers or committee chairs in external and internal groups, clubs and organizations.
Youth learn characteristics and definitions of leadership.
Youth aspire to create change in their community through their actions and leadership.
Youth learn parliamentary procedure and proper meeting format and presentation skills.
Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge of consequences of negative decisions
Indicator: Participants assessed on knowledge gain on consequences of making negative decisions
Method: one to one evaluations, and/or post surveys
Timeline: Year round
Intermediate Outcome: Observations to bullying no longer stand by
Indicator: Change in bad habits
Method: post survey
Timeline: Year round
Long-term Outcome: Teens addressing community issues of concern
Indicator: Teens ability to address issues
Method: Assembly responses/post assembly
Timeline: Year round
Audience: Elementary Students
Project or Activity: Anti bullying assemblies
Content or Curriculum: engaging youth, serving community, other
Inputs: Teen and adult volunteers
Date: Year long
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: STAND programming, i.e., Reba Ribbon Rallies, Ghost Outs, New Years Lock Ins, more
Content or Curriculum: Various Anti Negative Decision
Inputs: Teen volunteerism Grant funds
Date: Year long
Audience: Elementary, middle, high
Project or Activity: Youth leadership, officers, committee chairs
Content or Curriculum: Step Up to Leadership, Florida Leadership program
Inputs: Agent, Program Assistant, Volunteers
Date: Year round
Author: Mackenzie Pogue
Major Program: Specialty Camps (overnight camps that take place outdoors)
Many instances have brought to light the common issue of 4-H losing touch with youth during their middle school transitional years. 4-Hers are commonly active, or peak 4-Hers during their 4th-6th grade years where their involvement includes classroom clubs. As students enter middle school, their 4-H involvement lessens as many additional extracurricular activities are introduced, and monthly 4-H clubs are no longer in the classroom. This such issue was identified as a problem in dist
Author: Mackenzie Pogue
Major Program: Community Engagement
According to recent cost comparisons for university and college tuition in Kentucky, the average fee is over $6,000. Affording college consist of other varying expense including room and board, organizational fees, and books and supplies. A high school graduate pursuing our own prestigious university, the University of Kentucky, in state resident expenses average $30,000 annually. Here at the Extension Office employees actively promote higher education. Extension agents p
Author: Mackenzie Pogue
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
The Kentucky Incentives for Prevention (KIP) survey is administered every two years to eighth grade students in the Muhlenberg County school system. In 2018, three hundred and twenty-three eighth grade students were surveyed. 42% of students reported they thought tobacco use is a problem in their middle school. 31% reported drug use is a program in their school. 21% reported being electronically bullied in the past year. 14% of students reported feeling depressed m
