Lyon County CES

Title:

Empowering Youth to Reach Their Full Potential

MAP:

Empowering Youth

Agents Involved:

Mary Beth Riley

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Family and Consumer Science

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Health

Situation:

Youth are a resource that is often untapped for their leadership skills. The Profile of Youth in Kentucky (KCN, 2000) reported that only 25% of youth felt valued by society and only 27% felt they were given useful roles in their community. Lyon County has many teens with strong leadership skills.

Good communication and organizational skills are essential to leadership and a successful life. Adults often report the fear of public speaking as the greatest fear they encounter and indicate that they were never encouraged as youth to speak.

Citizens, youth and adults, should understand the importance of taking leadership roles in governmental and civic organizations as a way to influence change. The Lyon County Extension Service can be the catalyst for preparing citizens for these efforts.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will assume leadership roles for which they are qualified. They will use learned communication skills to present programs to younger students, local organizations, and governmental agencies to influence change in their community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will participate in trainings to enhance their leadership and communication skills. Participants will learn to fill leadership roles through acquired skills and self-confidence gained in preparation for assuming leadership roles.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will evaluate their personal skills and strengths as they become aware of leadership opportunities in their club and community.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will increase knowledge of personal strengths and leadership opportunities.

Indicator: Number of you willing to give speeches and run for office

Method: Formal and in-formal evaluations

Timeline: Throughout 2023-2024

Intermediate Outcome: Youth will participate in trainings and feel confident to take on new roles

Indicator: Number who participate in trainings and take on leadership roles

Method: Formal and in-formal evaluations

Timeline: Throughout 2023-2024

Long-term Outcome: Youth will present and assume leadership roles

Indicator: Number who give presentations and fulfill roles

Method: Formal and in-formal evaluations

Timeline: Throughout 2023-2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4th & 5th graders

Project or Activity: Classroom Speeches

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers

Date: Spring 2024

Audience: 4-H youth

Project or Activity: County & Area Speech Contest

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers

Date: Spring 2024

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Craft Club

Content or Curriculum: Craft Projects

Inputs: Agent, School Administrators, Volunteers

Date: Throughout 2023-2024 School Year

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Club Officers

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Agent, Teachers, Volunteers

Date: Throughout 2023-2024 School Year

Audience: Middle School Students

Project or Activity: Lyon County Middle School Club/Champions Club

Content or Curriculum: Step up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential

Inputs: Agent, School administrators, Teen leaders

Date: Sept 2023 - May 2024

Audience: 4-H Middle School Youth

Project or Activity: Summit 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Materials

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Specialist, STC

Date: March 2024

Audiences: 4-H Middle School Youth 

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy and Graduation 

Content or Curriculum: Step Up to Leadership, and visiting local communities 

Inputs: Agents, community members, and volunteers 

Date: September 2023-May 2024 

Audience: 4-H High School Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Retreat

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers

Date: Fall 2023

Audience: 4-H High School Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists

Date: June 2024

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Council, Area Teen Council & State Teen Council 

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Materials & Opportunity

Inputs: Agent, Teens School Administrators

Date: Throughout school year 2023-2024

Success Stories

2023 4-H Camp Sets Records for Lyon County

Author: Mary Beth Riley

Major Program: Camping

Henry caught this fish during the fishing class at 4-H Camp Summertime is here and that means 4-H summer camp at West KY 4-H Camp! Lyon County 4-H attended 4-H camp on June 6-9 at West KY 4-H Camp in Dawson Springs, KY. Campers ages 9-14 had the opportunity to master new skills such as riflery, swimming, canoeing, fishing, archery, high ropes, cooking, and agriculture. 4-H campers had the chance to gain independence and confidence due to being away from home for a week. There were plenty of

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Hands for Larger Service

Author: Mary Beth Riley

Major Program: Civic Engagement

Using our hands for larger service is not only a part of the 4-H pledge but an action that Lyon County 4-Hers demonstrated during the 2023 can food drive. According to youth.gov two-thirds of adults that volunteer as an adult started volunteering when they were young. Having civic engagement opportunities is vital to the success of our youth. The 4-H Lyon County High School Teen Club took the call upon themselves to decide, plan, and organize a community service project before the holiday season

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