Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Leadership, Citizenship, Health, & Life Skills Among Youth
Youth Development Programming
Jessica Morris
Family and Consumer Science
Leadership
Volunteer Development
Over the last several years, Wolfe County 4-H, as well at Wolfe County Extension, have experienced growth in programming and community involvement. The Wolfe County Extension District Board, County Extension Council, and 4-H Council have indicated through discussion and surveys that they want to keep the momentum and expand programming for the youth in Wolfe County. Several issues plague our community that have led to a need for programming in a vast number of areas. Those concerning factors are:
-Premature death of three youth in our community from ATV/RZR accidents
-Ranked 117 out of 120 Kentucky Counties for the Health rankings for the state
-8.6% of teens reported that they have 5 or more drinks at one event (binge drinking)
-18% of teens reported that they have been cyberbullied
-40% of middle schoolers indicated they have used self harm each month
-31.5% of middle school students and 18.4% of high school students were considered obese
-Childhood poverty rate is 44%
-26% of children live in single parent homes
-increased rate of grandparents raising youth as a result of drug usage in their parental home
-increase in Drug overdoses
-lack of extracurricular activities to keep youth involved in year round
Partnering organizations (Wolfe County School System, Wolfe County Youth Service Center & Family Resource, and other community organizations) have indicated that there is a continued need for our partnership to continue to provide quality educational programming to the youth (K-12) of the County. Therefore, Wolfe County 4-H will continue to focus on the Core Curriculum Areas and provide positive youth development opportunities for every child in Wolfe County. By looking at those issues above we know that keeping youth involved in clubs and activities afterschool and during school, we provide positive learning opportunities and they build decision making skills that carry them through their adult lives. Studies have show that keeping kids involved in activities after school are less likely to be involved in drug activities. Keeping youth engaged in activities and programs is a goal of our program.
Through positive 4-H Youth Development programming in Wolfe County, the youth will improve their leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Being actively engaged with positive role models in our community, our youth will be able to take on leadership roles, be productive and active members of our society all while making healthy lifestyle choices.
Through positive 4-H Youth Development programming in Wolfe County, the youth will gain self confidence in their skills and abilities which will contribute to their success in our society. By participating in positive programming, projects and service learning opportunities youth will enhance skills that are essential for goal setting, decision making and completion of a task.
Youth will develop leadership, citizenship, and health and life skills all while gaining interest and expanding their knowledge in the 4-H Core curriculum areas of Science, Engineering, & Technology; Health; Animal Science; Natural Resources; Communications; and Family & Consumer Sciences; and Leadership. As a result, their enthusiasm for the entire 4-H Youth Development Program will increase allowing us to expand their knowledge in other areas as well.
Audience: 4-H Teens (Grades 7-12)
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: Leadership
Inputs: Efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: monthly 2021-2022
Audience: Grades 9-12
Project or Activity: Issue's Conference, Teen Conference, Truth & Consequences
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Development, Community Service, Drug Prevention
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Spring 2022 & Summer 2022
Audience: Grades K-12
Project or Activity: Reality Store, Dollars & Sense, Budgeting
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Development, Financial Awareness & Education, Family Consumer Science
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Fall 2021
Audience: Grades 6-8
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Spring 2022
Audience: All Youth (9-19)
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications, Life Skills
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Summer 2022
Audience: All Youth (9-19)
Project or Activity: Communications (Speeches and Demonstrations)
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Team building, Communications, Life Skills, Self Confidence
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: All Youth (9-19)
Project or Activity: School Enrichment
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications, Life Skills, SET, Health, Family Consumer Science, Including Safety Days
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Twice Monthly (Aug 2021- June 2022 school year)
Audience: Grades 3-4
Project or Activity: Agriculture Awareness Series
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Communications, Life Skills, Health, Animal Science
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Spring 2022
Audience: All Youth (9-19)
Project or Activity: Livestock Club/ Skillathon Team
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service, Communications, Life Skills, Animal Science and Agriculture
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Fall 2021 and Spring 2022
Audience: All Youth (9-19)
Project or Activity: Ham Club
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Communications, Life Skills, Animal Science, Food Preservation, Family Consumer Science
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Spring – Summer 2022
Audience: All Youth (9-19)
Project or Activity: Health Promotion, Anti Drug Activities and Improve Parks for improved Health outcomes.
Content: Leadership, Health, and Family Consumer Science
Inputs: efforts of Agents, Extension Staff, State Staff, School System; Promotion Through website, newspapers, newsletters, school promotion, social media
Date: Fall 2021 & Spring 2022
Author: Jessica Morris
Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development
Substance abuse and addiction plague our community and its members. For several years, efforts have been increased to bring awareness to and help prevent drug addiction in our community. Last year, the Wolfe County Extension Office implemented Recovery Week, a week to celebrate those who are in recovery and bring hope to those hoping to enter recovery. The week is kicked off on Monday night with Yoga, which is an activity commonly used to help aid in a recovering persons journey. Tuesday a town
Author: Jessica Morris
Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development
Drug and alcohol prevention is something we have pushed to the forefront here in Wolfe County. Our high school students are using drugs and alcohol at an alarming rate. Vaping has increased with major negative effects. During school this year Wolfe County High School has had numerous scary situations where students have overdosed or required serious medical aid due to a vape containing other substances. Thankfully, they were all able to be saved and have been able to receive help. When prom was
Author: Jessica Morris
Major Program: Volunteer Development
Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). Although highly valued, volunteer involvement does not guarantee achievement of Extension's goals and fulfillment of learners' needs (Bolton, 1992).
