Kentucky 4-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 active 4-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 within their local communities, youth have the opportunity to belong to a group of peers and expand teamwork skills, exercise communication skills through networking with other 4-Hers, experience generosity by giving back through a community service project, and develop relationships with role models through the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council. 

In 2018, 89 counties from across Kentucky participated in Kentucky 4-H Summit. Marshall County participated in the second session with a delegation of eight youth (one male and seven females), 4-H Program Assistant, and 4-H Youth Development Agent. 

Marshall’s delegation participated in the community service project, where from all three sessions over 75 fleece blankets were donated to a Somerset homeless shelter. The youth also enjoyed various other activities such as workshops, fun shops, and planned time to explore 4-H core content areas. 

As a direct result of 4-H Summit participation Marshall County’s youth improved through the objectives of the event. Marshall’s eight youth evaluated “strongly agree” or “agree” about their experience as follows: 

• 100% felt accepted by their team
• 7 out of 8 made a connection with their State Teen Council Member
• 100% felt they had the opportunity to give back through the community service event. 
• Youth improved their communication skills (7 out of 8) with 6 reporting rthey could lead a communication activity once they returned home.
• Expanded their leadership skills (100%) and reported they could conduct a leadership activity once they returned home (100%). 
• Enhanced their team building skills (100%) and reported they could lead a group discussion once they returned home (6 out of 8). 

A key component to 4-H Summit is continued involvement in the 4-H program through middle school into high school. For Marshall County, six reported they would like to apply to serve on the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council, five reported they would like to apply to serve on one of the core curriculum leadership boards, and seven reported that as a result of 4-H Summit they are more likely to attend 4-H Teen Conference. 

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. 

(General Information and Statewide statistics provided by Rachel E. Noble, Ed.D., State 4-H Teen Specialist)