The Ashland Middle School 4-H Nutrition and Cooking Clubs began four years ago.  Students have utilized the school kitchen stations by cooking recipes, learning culinary skills and nutrition information.  After participating two consecutive years, one student asked the club sponsor if the special needs students could join his class this year and the experienced members assist the special needs students.   The club sponsor, Boyd County 4-H Youth Development Agent and special needs teacher all agreed.  Five special needs students were placed in the 7^th period class, one student per kitchen station.  The experienced club members were instructed to assist the guest member.  Then the service-learning began.

Service-learning links experiential learning and service activities to provide a unique learning experience for students. When students have opportunities to learn by preparing, leading, and reflecting upon their service experiences, they ultimately create a reciprocal learning experience between them and the community.

Young people can make real connections between needs and resources, learning and service, and people and leadership. Planned, thoughtful experiences, coupled with reflection, create a rich opportunity for youth to learn leadership skills. Des Marais, Yang, and Farzanehkia (2000) noted that "service-learning is the most powerful approach in youth leadership development."

The following are learning outcomes developed by the University of Kentucky 4-H Extension (2000) to which 4-H members are exposed as they participate in thoughtfully organized service experiences:

1. Meet community needs.
2. Coordinated in a collaborative effort between 4-H and other individuals or groups.
3. Provide structured reflection time for young people to think, talk, and write about what they experience.
4. Provide opportunities for young people to apply 4-H project skills and knowledge in real life situations in their own communities.
5. Enhance what is taught by 4-H by extending learning into the community.
6. Help foster a sense of caring for others.

Through written summaries participants reported learning lessons in teamwork, positive interaction with adults, and feelings of accomplishment.

Boyd County 4-H values youth today and realizes that they are our future leaders. Therefore, it is critical that we prepare youth with the leadership skills they will require to be successful members of society.   Through the Ashland Middle School Nutrition and Cooking Clubs, students helped students and served up a side of leadership for the future!