Research suggests middle school aged youth have distinctive physical, cognitive, moral, psychological, social-emotional and spiritual characteristics (Scales, 2010) that require specific educational experiences organized to address their physical, intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical, spiritual, and social developmental needs (Caskey & Anfara, 2014). Kentucky 4-H Summit seeks to engage middle school aged youth and retain their involvement in 4-H activities through the middle school years, while 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. The state-wide event attracted 481 middle school 4-Hers, 84 teen volunteers, and 27 adult volunteers. Boyle County had 6 middle schoolers, 3 teen leaders, and 1 agent participating.  Through the community service project, the participants created and donated more than 75 fleece blankets to a homeless shelter in Somerset. Nearly 130 individuals (7 from Boyle County) participated in the 4-H 4K from which 64 indicated 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, and planned 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. Results of the evaluations of their experiences include: 98.33% felt accepted by their team, 83.51% made a connection with their State Teen Council Member, 92.49% felt they had the opportunity to give back through the community service event. Youth improved their communication skills (88.93%) and reported they could lead a communication activity once they returned home (87.24%). Youth reported expanding their leadership skills (90.82%), that they could conduct a leadership activity once they returned home (88.73%), enhanced their team building skills (92.49%), and that they could lead a group discussion once they returned home (87.4%).  A key component to 4-H Summit is continued involvement in the 4-H program through middle school into high school. Of those attending, 73.01% reported they would like to apply to serve on the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council, 70.59% reported they would like to apply to serve on one of the core curriculum leadership boards, and 87.73% 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.