4-H and Youth DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Barren County CES

Title:
4-H and Youth Development
MAP:
Enhancing Youth Development
Agents Involved:
Tarry, Schalk, Stith, Drake
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Communications and Expressive Arts
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Camping
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Civic Engagement
Situation:

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 estimates (census.gov) there are 233,463 youth living in households in KY in the recommended 4-H age range. Also, according to the Kentucky Department of Education (2014), the graduation rate for Kentucky students was 88.0 %, which did not meet the state goal.


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)

In order to provide the best opportunities for current and future success, youth need to develop personal capacity life and leadership skills. They need to learn to interact with others and to make a difference by becoming engaged members of their communities. In order for youth to be prepared to work in partnership with adults, they need to develop and/or enhance their leadership skills. Youth development education prepares youth to manage time, work as a team, set goals, start conversations, facilitate meetings, and make effective presentations. Promoting youth development is a great way to promote positive life skills learning.

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Youth will contribute to self, family, community and to the institutions of our society.

-Youth will have reduced risky behavior now and in the future.

-4-H alumni will be successful in a global society.

-4-H youth will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.

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 have a positive bond with a caring adult who believe in their success.

-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.

Initial Outcomes:

-Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision-making process.

-Youth learn skills need to communicate with others.

-Adult mentors will understand elements of positive youth development.

-Youth learn and develop life skills though 4-H. -Youth learn steps in goal setting and developing a plan of action.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Youth will demonstrate contributions to community and society

Indicator: Number of individuals in vital roles for their families and communities

Method: observation

Timeline: : July – June


Outcome: Youth will demonstrate learned behaviors

Indicator: Number of youth serving in leadership roles

Method: observation

Timeline: July - June


Outcome: Youth will gain personal development skills

Indicator: Number of youth participating in activities and programs

Method: observation, survey

Timeline: July - June


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H participation in projects, programs, and activities demonstrating their leadership and communication skills such as: 4-H Achievement Program, Scholarship Programs, Judging Contests, Communications, Camps, Shows, Workshops, Contest, 4-H A Capitol Experience, Day Camps, Leadership Programs, Service Learning and Virtual Learning.

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Resources, Volunteers, Community Groups and Organizations

Date: July – June


Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents, Volunteers, Certified Volunteers

Project or Activity: Awards and Recognition

Content or Curriculum: Awards, scholarships

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations,

Date: July-June


Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents and Volunteers

Project or Activity: Science, Engineering & Technology Training on Global Positioning Systems, Robotics

Content or Curriculum: 4-H and approved EPIN curriculum

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations, Youth Service Council

Date: Programs conducted in schools and community as requested


Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents and Volunteers

Project or Activity: 4-H Communication Programs and Expressive Arts (4-H Talk Meet Workshop and Contest, 4-H Demonstrations Workshop and Contest, 4-H Horse Public Speaking and Demonstrations, 4-H Country Ham Public Speaking, 4-H Variety Show) Written Communications Contest, Virtual Communications Contest

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication Curriculum

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations, Youth Service Council

Date: December- July


Audience: 4-H Program Participants, Parents and Volunteers

Project or Activity: 4-H Public Advocacy and Leadership programs - 4-H Teen Leadership Programs, 4-H A Capitol Experience, Barren County Citizenship Day, 4-H Citizenship Programs, 4-H Service Learning programs; County 4-H Officer Training

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Community Groups, Organizations, Youth Service Council

Date: July-June


Audience: Resource deprived youth

Project or Activity: 4-H and Extension Workshops, Activities and Camps

Content or Curriculum: SNAP, 4-H, Natural Resources, Horticulture, EFNEP

Inputs: Agents, Assistants, Teen 4-H Leaders, Community Partners

Date: July- June



Success Stories

Kids Baking Championship- A Sweet Success

Author: Paula Tarry

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Kids Baking Championship- A Sweet SuccessAs soon as this 4-H Agent saw the promo for the Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship- one Barren County 4-H member stood out, Haylin Adams.  She was involved in the 4-H Cooking Club and loved to bake. Haylin is a shy, eleven year old who makes beautiful cakes, cookies and is always eager to try something new. She had started her own FaceBook Business of Haylin’s Sweet Spot to make extra money.  This Agent passed the information on

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Encouragement and Inspiration

Author: Paula Tarry

Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts

Encouragement and Inspiration When this 4-H Youth Development Agent transferred to Barren County, she inherited an energetic group of 4-H Teens, always willing to take on new challenges.  They all worked very hard on their 4-H projects, especially one teen who loved to cook and serve at 4-H and community functions. She was shy and often afraid to step out of her comfort zone like at 4-H Communications Night. She was great at conversation but did not like public speaking. The Barre

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Global Youth Service Day

Author: Paula Tarry

Major Program: Civic Engagement

According to the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, in 2019, 34 million people lived in poverty in America.  As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, 1 in 6 people (more than 50 million people), including 1 in 4 children (approximately 17 million children) in the United States are experiencing food insecurity in 2021. To help solve this problem, a Senior Barren County 4-H member received one of 106  nation wide $250 grant from the Sodexo for Stop Hunger Program Youth in conjunction with Ba

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It Is the Thought That Counts

Author: Paula Tarry

Major Program: Civic Engagement

It is the Thought That CountsCommunity Service Learning is a form of experiential learning in which youth apply the subject matter they are learning along with critical thinking skills to address genuine community needs. When youth are involved in selecting and planning such efforts, and have structured time to reflect, talk, and write about the actual service activity they are performing the youth learn more, they become more confident about what they have learned, they improve in problem-solvi

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What Does 4-H Mean To Me?

Author: Paula Tarry

Major Program: Leadership

What Does 4-H Mean to Me?Throughout this 4-H Youth Development Agent’s career, I have ask the question, "What Does 4-H Mean to Me?" to hundreds of 4-H members on applications, interviews, essays or just for conversation. Needless to say, there have been a a wide variety of short, long, detailed and memorable answers.  During this past year with all of the difficulties and transitions, we have faced as individuals, families and organization, I thought the answer might be diff

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