Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H Youth Development
4-H Youth Development
Julia Wilson, David Embrey
Camping
Natural Resources
Family and Consumer Science
Agriculture
4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family. Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. 4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. According to 2014 population data from Kentucky Youth Advocates there are 1774 youth living in households in Edmonson County in the recommended 4-H age range. Edmonson County lacks youth organizations and facilities that surrounding counties have. According to After School Alliance there are approximately 20 to 25 hours per week that children are out of school while most parents are at work, creating an “after-school gap.” In return Self-care and boredom can increase the likelihood that a young person will experiment with drugs and alcohol by as much as 50 percent. Youth tend to develop patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use - or nonuse – from ages 12 to 15. Research also shows us developing a strong sense of personal identity, responsibility, caring, compassion, and tolerance are essential first steps toward being engaged at the community level (National 4-H Council, 2014).
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES:
Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.
Youth will have reduced risky behavior in the future.
4-H alumni will participate and 4-H leader and volunteers in Edmonson County.
4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.
Youth utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
Gain and maintain employment through life skill development.
INTERMEDIATE OUTCOMES:
Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis.
Youth will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases.
Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community.
Youth set and achieve goals through a 4-H program.
Youth construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing.
Practice healthy eating choices
INITIAL OUTCOMES:
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process
Youth learn skills need to communicate with others.
Youth learn and develop life skills through 4-H.
Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.
Youth write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration.
Youth understand risky behaviors and their consequences.
EVALUATION:
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision making process, learn skills need to communicate with others,learn and develop life skills through 4-H, learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action,write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration,and understand risky behaviors and their consequences.
Indicator: Youth demonstrate an understanding of problem solving, goal setting, and communication skills.
Method: Written and verbal evaluations after the program.
Timeline: Up to 6 months after the educational program.
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will use scientific decision making techniques to make decisions on a daily basis, will express themselves to others in group settings and on an individual bases, apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, set and achieve goals through a 4-H program, construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing, and practice healthy eating choices.
Indicator: Youth apply skills gained in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, achieve goals they have set, and improve their eating habits by making at least one healthy choice a day.
Method: Written and verbal evaluations
Timeline: 6 months -5 years.
Long-term Outcome: Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society,will have reduced risky behavior, 4-H alumni will participate and 4-H leader and volunteers in Edmonson County, and 4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.
Indicator: The number of youth and young adults serving in community volunteer roles will increase, reported negative youth behavior issues in the school will decrease, 4-H alumni will start new 4-H Clubs or volunteer,and successfully hold employment or attend college/higher education.
Method: Written and verbal evaluations, school surveys.
Timeline: 6 years+
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Summer Camp
Inputs: Agents, Camp Staff, UK Cooperative Extension, 4-H Volunteers
Date: Summer 2021
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: Horse Leader Curriculum, Horse Achievement Level 1,2,3,4
Inputs: Certified Horse Leaders, Agents, UK Publications
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Speech & Communications Contest
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Speech & Communications Publications
Inputs: Agents, 4-H Volunteers, UK Publications
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Edmonson County Middle School
Project or Activity: Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: Reality Store
Inputs: Agents, Family Resource Center, Youth Service Center, Community Volunteers
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Retreat
Content or Curriculum: Teen Retreat
Inputs: Agents, 4-H Volunteers, Camp Staff
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Edmonson County Middle School
Project or Activity: S.T.O.P
Content or Curriculum: S.T.O.P Curriculum (Truth & Consequences)
Inputs: Agents, Family Resource Center, Youth Service Center, Community Volunteers
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Community Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Resources
Inputs: Agents, 4-H Volunteers, UK Extension Publications, 4-H Resources
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Resources
Inputs: Agents, 4-H Volunteers, UK Extension Publications, 4-H Resources
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Health Rocks
Content or Curriculum" Health Rocks Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, 4-H Volunteers, UK Extension Publications, 4-H Resources
Date: 20-21 School year
Author: Julia Wilson
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
The pandemic of 2020 brought our entire nation to a screeching halt. Except for first responders, the United States and much of the world were on lock-down for much of the spring and summer. As summer turned into fall and the end of COVID-19 not in sight, a group of agents banded together to see how they could continue to meet the needs of their 4-H clientele. And thus, a new experiment of hosting district virtual 4-H clubs was born. This new concept extended the opportunity to learn high qualit
Author: Julia Wilson
Major Program: Camping
Edmonson County youth and volunteers were excited to return to 4-H Camp after missing the opportunity last year due to camp closures caused by COVID-19. Initial feedback from stakeholders was that we many not have many attend camp due to restrictions such as mask and limited capacity. Despite these restrictions 34 youth, 2 teens leaders, 4 adults, and 2 agents from Edmonson County were able to attend camp. These numbers were on par with attendance in the previous years.A combination of community
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Camping
Edmonson County youth and volunteers were excited to return to 4-H Camp after missing the opportunity last year due to camp closures caused by COVID-19. Initial feedback from stakeholders was that we may not have many attend camp due to restrictions such as mask requirements and limited capacity. Despite these restrictions 34 youth, 2 teens leaders, 4 adults, and both agents from Edmonson County attended 4-H camp. These numbers were on par with attendance in the previous years.A combination of c
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Natural Resources
Many people think of recycling as a hassle that is not worth their time or a government program that is of no interest to them. Benefits to the environment such as reduced landfill space and less mining for new materials as well as being paid for recycling aluminum and scrape steel are often overlooked. Shortly after being hired as Edmonson County Extension Agent for ANR/4-H Youth Development Education, this agent began an aluminum can recycling project with the County 4-H program. We colle
