Research suggests distinctive characteristics of young adolescents (middle school aged youth) regarding their physical, cognitive, moral, psychological, and social-emotional development, as well as spiritual development (Scales, 2010).Young adolescents (middle school aged youth) warrant educational experiences and schoolsthat are organizedto address their physical,intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical, spiritual, and social developmental characteristics (Caskey & Anfara,2014). Kentucky4-H Summit seeks to engage middle school aged youth and retain their involvement in 4-H activities through the middle school years, along with empowering youth to become active4-H leaders on the local and state levels.Objectives of Kentucky 4-H Summit are centered on the developmental needs of middle school aged youth: 4-H Summit aims to provide youth from across the Commonwealth with the opportunity to develop leadership skills through acquiring new knowledge to take back and implement withintheir local communities, youth have the opportunity to belong to a group of peers and expand teamwork skills, exercisecommunication skills through networking with other 4-H’ers,experience generosity by giving back througha community serviceproject, and developrelationships with role models through the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council.

In 2018, 89 counties from across Kentucky participated in Kentucky 4-H Summit. The state-wide event attracted 481 middle school 4-H’ers,84 teen volunteers, and 27 adult volunteers.

Through the community service project, the participants created and donated over 75 fleece blankets to a homelessshelter in Somerset, Kentucky. 128 individuals who attended 4-H Summit participated in the 4-H4K, for 64 individuals this was the first time they had participated in a run/walk event.Various other activities were implemented to meet the needs of this age group such as workshops, funshops, andplanned time to explore 4-H core content areas.

As a direct result of 4-H Summit participation middle school aged youth improved through the objectives of the event. The middle school aged youth evaluatedtheir experience. 98.33%felt accepted by their team, 83.51% made a connection with theirState Teen CouncilMember, 92.49% felt they had the opportunity to give back through the community service event. Youth improvedtheir communication skills(88.93%) and reported they could lead a communication activityonce they returned home (87.24%). Expanded their leadership skills (90.82%) and reported they could conduct a leadership activity once they returned home (88.73%).

Enhanced their team building skills(92.49%) and reported they could lead a group discussion once they returnedhome (87.4%).

A key component to 4-H Summit is continued involvement in the 4-H program through middle school into high school. 73.01% reportedthey would like to apply to serveon the Kentucky 4-H StateTeen Council, 70.59% reported they would like to apply to serve on one of the core curriculum leadership boards, and87.73% reported that as a resultof 4-H Summitthey are more likely to attend 4-H Teen Conference.

For 61.17% of the participants thiswas their first time attending 4-H Summit,27.97% attended the previous year, and 10.86% attended for three years.Ages of participants: 13 years old (39.63%),12 years old (29.72%),11 years old (15.44%),and 14 years old (15.21%). 68.70% of the middle schoolaged youth had previously attended 4-H Summer Camp. Kentucky 4-H Summit provides a valuable experience in a safe environment for middle school aged youth, a developmental time where youth are experiencing rapid physical, cognitive, moral, psychological, and social-emotional development, as well as spiritual development.

In 2018, Fleming County 4-H had 8 youth attend Kentucky 4-H Teen Summit. 100% of the youth that attended from Fleming County stated they felt them improved their team building skills during their time at 4-H Teen Summit. 75% of the youth attending stated they felt comfortable enough that they could lead a community activity in 4-H as a direct result of participating in the 4-H Teen Summit. With the goal of the Fleming County 4-H Program to grow our 4-H Teen programming, the 4-H Teen Summit program has gone a long way to developing the leadership skills needed for youth to be successful as 4-H Teens.