As outlined in the county plan of work, Boone County 4-H supports communications education through school enrichment, school clubs, and all other areas of education to establish or enhance necessary communications skills that develop college and career ready youth in Boone County. 

Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities. This in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development (Jones, K. R. 2006)

Strong writing, reading and presentation skills present youth with the dexterity of being good communicators as well as allowing them to form receptive relationships with peers and adults. When young people are confident and capable in presenting their thoughts and feelings they are more likely to accept roles of responsibility in their communities and enhance their contribution to society. This development of internal and external assets, as researched by the Search Institutes “The 40 Developmental Assets” helps to develop youth into competent, caring and contributing adults. (Jones, K.R. 2006)

4-H provides communications education to many school clubs throughout the public and parochial schools in the county through speech practice and scored presentations. Over 1,600 youth receive 4-H communications education through school club or school enrichment delivery methods. 4-H’ers also learn communications skills through volunteer-led club meetings and activities as well as through leadership opportunities that allow speaking in front of the group or being an active listener as part of a presentation. 4-H'ers are invited to participate in the county level communications contest for an opportunity to present their prepared speech or demonstration and receive constructive feedback to become better speakers. The county level competition received a 50% increase in participation from the previous year.

After the county level competition, participants in the county level communications contest were given the opportunity to complete a survey after the event occurred. The surveys were distributed in the mail after the event. Participants in the communications program learned the skills necessary to prepare a speech or demonstration by researching topics that enabled them to develop outlines and speeches for classroom and county level presentations. 100% of evaluation respondents reported that they have learned how to research a topic to prepare for a presentation and are able to develop an outline using research for a presentation. Participants in school clubs were given an opportunity to formally present speeches in the classroom after receiving communications education. Enrolled 4-H’ers and classroom club members were given the opportunity to present in front of adult audience and judges at the county level contest to enhance their communications skills.  

After participating in the communications program, 75% of evaluation respondents reported that they can utilize their new skills to lead others. 100% reported that they have improved their communication skills and can express themselves through written and verbal communication as well as expressing their own opinions and feelings. 100% reported that they will use the information they learned to make decisions and gained the confidence needed to speak in front of groups as well as using skills they learned to work with other activities in their home, school, or community. 

Two senior level 4-H members shared their passion for drones and aerospace in their county level demonstration, “How to Get Started with Drones”. One of the 4-H’ers is the co-leader of the Aerospace Club that he started with his parent. The teen utilizes some of the skills that he has learned through 4-H and multiple years of participation in the communications program to lead the club and facilitate education and activities with the adult volunteer leaders, guest speakers, and 4-H Agent. In addition to the successes of the Aerospace Club, the teen successfully completed an interview and application process for flight school at the University of Cincinnati. He was accepted for admission and plans to attend flight school in the fall.