2018 Kentucky 4-H Summit 

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. 4-H Summit develops leadership skills through acquiring new knowledge to implement within their local communities. Youth have the opportunity to belong to a group of peers, expand teamwork skills, exercise communication skills through networking with other 4-H’ers, experience generosity by giving back through a community service project, and develop relationships with role models through the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council and caring adults. 

In 2018, 89 counties, including 481 middle school 4-H’ers, 84 teen volunteers, and 27 adult volunteers from across Kentucky, participated in Kentucky 4-H Summit. Five youth and two adult volunteers from Ohio County attended the 2018 event. Through the community service project, the participants created and donated over 75 fleece blankets to a homeless shelter in Somerset, Kentucky. 

As a direct result of 4-H Summit participation middle school aged youth improved their life skills. The middle school aged youth evaluated their experience. 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%). 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 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. 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