Author: Sue Ann McCandless
Planning Unit: Hardin County CES
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Plan of Work: Enhancing Life Skills through Youth Projects and Activities
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The partnership between Hardin County 4-H programs and the Ft. Knox youth centers had taken a back seat with the restrictions brought on by covid and a loss of military grant funding over recent years. Over the past 12 months Hardin County Cooperative Extension Agents for 4-H youth development have been working to re-establish support for partnerships with both the Devers Center and the School Age Center on the Ft. Knox military base. Agents have provided support for both centers by conducting training for staff and sharing resources to be used with youth in both centers. A collaboration between center directors, state office staff and the 4-H agent has also resulted in securing grant funds to help provide support and resources for both centers to continue their efforts in offering 4-H programs to military youth. 4-H programs offer youth a safe and welcoming environment while learning life skills that will impact their overall growth and well-being. The funding will allow the continuance of approved Kentucky 4-H curriculum in areas including Natural Resources, Family & Consumer Sciences, Health, Communication, Leadership, and Science Engineering and Technology. Ft. Knox staff along with the support of state office staff and the 4-H agent are working together to dispense the $10,600 grant made possible through securing the Army 4-H Military Partnership Outreach & Support Project funds on military 4-H programs. Funding is being divided into programs to provide professional development for staff at both the Devers Center for Middle School and Teens and the School Age Center; curriculum for both centers to support club projects including gardening, cooking, photography, arts and crafts and health; as well as various day camp opportunities. The Hardin County District Board is also covering $100 of the $275 fee for campers to attend summer camp in 2023. This additional funding with the military grant will allow 18 military youth to attend 4-H camp at no cost for the summer of 2023. Both staff and youth are excited about this opportunity.
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