Hancock County CES

Title:

Developing Leadership, Life Skills, and Volunteer Skills

MAP:

Leadership and Life Skill Development

Agents Involved:

Lisa Hagman-4-H, Angelia Swihart-FCS

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Master Clothing Volunteer

Situation:

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H.  The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future.  Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success. 

Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field.  The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others.  Employers look for leadership skills in future employees.   Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority.  By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017). 

Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).  4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).    

Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil,2000). The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their

communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders -these skills are needed for success in today's world (MacNeil,2000).

Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders for local 4-H Clubs and 4-H camps and in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.

*Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.

• Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders 
• Community members engage others to initiate projects 
• Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members 
• Communities become more prosperous 
• Homemaker will lead sewing classes and lessons as a Certified Master Clothing Volunteer.

Adult Volunteers will contribute to the positive youth development and asset building for 4-H members. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.

*Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.

*Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp, overnight, or other project based group of younger 4-H members.

*Homemakers will Lead Clubs and Lessons for youth and adults.

*4-H volunteers will encourage youth to find their spark and develop these interests. 

Initial Outcomes:

*Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.

*Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.

*Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.

• Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
• You improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
• Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
• Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community 
• Youth are inclusive of all individuals 
• Youth will volunteer and participate in community service 
• Youth will engage in civic involvement 
• Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement 
• Homemakers will increase their knowledge of textiles and construction techniques. 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.

Indicator: Youth will participate, discuss, and evaluate leadership styles.

Method: observation, discussion

Timeline: September 2024-April 2025

Intermediate Outcome: 4-H Teen Club members will utilize leadership skills in the 4-H Camp Setting.

Indicator: leadership skills displayed while working with younger 4-H members

Method: observation, self-evaluation

Timeline: June 2024

Long-term Outcome: 4-H youth will attend camp and serve as adult and teen counselors. Master Clothing Volunteer will lead sewing activities for Youth and Adults. 

Indicator: Camp attendance; Lead Community Sewing Classes.

Method: Observation

Timeline: June 2024

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Camp Volunteer Adult and Teen Leaders

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Leader Training materials

Inputs: 4-H Camp, State 4-H Office

Date: June 2025

Audience: 4-H Campers

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: overnight camp

Inputs: 4-H Camp, State 4-H Office

Date: June 2025

Audience: Youth Ages 11-13

Project or Activity: KET Movie Making Day Camp

Content or Curriculum: KET moving making lessons taught by KET professionals

Inputs: Hancock County 4-H, KET

Date: July 2024

Audience: 4-H Shooting Sports Certified Coaches

Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Practices and Competitions

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches' manual per each discipline

Inputs: State 4-H Office, County 4-H Council,  Volunteer Coaches

Date: July 2024-June 2025

Audience: 4-H Members, 4-H Rabbit Club Members, Afterschool Members, Cloverbud Members, Homeschool Club members

Project or Activity: Speeches/Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Core Curriculum

Inputs: Hancock County Public Schools, Afterschool programs, Volunteer Leaders

Date: September 2024-April 2025

Audience: High School, Middle School, and Afterschool 4-H Club Members,  Rabbit Club, Homeschool Club, Cloverbud Club

Project or Activity: Leadership Skill Development, 4-H Summit, 4-H Teen Conference, Green River Area Teens, 4-H Teen Council

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

Inputs: Hancock County Public Schools, State 4-H Office

Date: September 2024-May 2025

Audience: 4-H Culinary Arts Club

Project or Activity: cooking and nutrition

Content or Curriculum: Family and Consumer Sciences and Health Core Curriculum

Inputs: Hancock County Middle School, Hancock County High School, Youth Service Center, Community Education

Date: Spring 2025

Audience: Adults, Teens and Youth

Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteer

Content or Curriculum: Master Clothing Volunteer

Inputs: Green River FCS Agents, MCV Trainers, Hancock Co. FCS Agent

Date: October 2024-May 2025

Audience: Adults, Teens and Youth

Project or Activity: Homemaker JR. Wildcat Club, Homemaker club meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Homemaker Club Lessons

Inputs: Homemakers, Green River FCS Agents, Hancock Co. FCS Agent 

Date: October 2023-May 2024

Audience: All 9th-12th Grade Students

Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences Core Curriculum

Inputs: Hancock County Middle and High Schools, Youth Services Center and numerous community volunteers

Date: April 2025

Audience: 4-H Cloverbud Club

Project or Activity: 4-H Public Speaking

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication Curriculum

Input: Volunteer Leader

Date: April 2025

Audience: 4-H Rabbit Club

Project or Activity: Parliamentary Procedure

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum

Input: Volunteer Leader

Date: September 2024-June 2025

Audience: 8th-12th Grade Students-4-H Teen Club members

Project or Activity: Green River Area 4-H Teen Leadership Academy

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership

Input: 4-H Agents, State 4-H Office, 4-H Camp, 4-H core curriculum areas, etc.

Date: September 2024-April 2025

Audience: 8th-12th Grade Students-4-H Teen Club members

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership

Input: State 4-H Office

Date: June 2025

Audience: 4-H Leaders in Shooting Sports, Camp, Homeschool Club, Cloverbuds, and Rabbit Club

Project or Activity: Leader Training/Certifications

Content or Curriculum: Ky 4-H Nearpod Trainings, agent trainings, camp leader training/materials

Input: State 4-H Office

Date: September 2024-June 2025

Success Stories

4-H Passport Kitchen Participants "Visited" Five Countries

Author: Lisa Hagman

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

 In our increasingly interconnected world, young people must acquire the knowledge and skills to engage effectively. Local economies now rely more than ever on international resources, and those who thrive in this interconnected economy are adaptable individuals who embrace multiculturalism. Passport Kitchen is a program designed to help young people take their first steps in developing these skills. It not only promotes family mealtime but also fosters life readiness skills.  For

Full Story

Hancock County 4-H Sewing Workshop and Three Completed Projects

Author: Lisa Hagman

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Teaching sewing to young people will not only teach them lifelong valuable and practical skills, but it may also open the door to a world of creativity. “Showing your children to sew has many benefits. The activity can spark imagination and creativity, teach patience, build self-confidence, foster communication and direction-following abilities, and enhance fine motor skills.  (www.goldstartool.com)  Hancock County 4-H, Family and Consumer Sciences, a Master Clothing Vo

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4-H Sewing Workshop

Author: Angelia Swihart

Major Program: Apparel and Textiles (Non-Master Clothing Volunteer)

Sewing is a skill not usually taught in homes today. But there are several benefits to sewing; it can improve hand eye coordination, improve critical thinking skills, serves as a creative outlet and can improve mental health as well as relieve anxiety.   Students feel accomplished when completing projects which build confidence and self-worth.  The audience for 4-H sewing were students aged 9-12, there were 6 students that participated over a span of 5 weeks, making three 4-H sewing pr

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Juice to Jelly

Author: Angelia Swihart

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Juice to Jelly According to Kentucky County Health Rankings from 2021, 10% of the population of Hancock County is food insecure; meaning that 10% of the people in Hancock County lack adequate access to food. With the recent interest in gardening, homesteading, self-reliance and more people looking to food as health, interest in food preservation and preparation has grown. A series of Food preservation workshops have been offered. Teaching adults to preserve food and prepare food has a

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