Research suggests distinctive characteristics of young adolescents (middle school aged youth)regarding their physical, cognitive, moral, psychological, and social-emotional development, aswell as spiritual development (Scales, 2010). Young adolescents (middle school aged youth) warrant educational experiences and schools that are organized to address their physical,intellectual, emotional/psychological, moral/ethical, spiritual, and social developmental characteristics (Caskey & Anfara, 2014). Kentucky 4-H Summit seeks to engage middle schoolaged 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. Objectivesof Kentucky 4-H Summit are centered on the developmental needs of middle school agedyouth: 4-H Summit aims to provide youth from across the Commonwealth with the opportunityto develop leadership skills through acquiring new knowledge to take back and implementwithin their local communities, youth have the opportunity to belong to a group of peers andexpand teamwork skills, exercise communication skills through networking with other 4-H’ers,experience generosity by giving back through a community service project, and developrelationships 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-wideevent attracted 481 middle school 4-H’ers, 84 teen volunteers, and 27 adult volunteers.Through the community service project, the participants created and donated over 75 fleeceblankets to a homeless shelter in Somerset, Kentucky. 128 individuals who attended 4-HSummit participated in the 4-H 4K, for 64 individuals this was the first time they hadparticipated in a run/walk event. Various other activities were implemented to meet the needsof this age group such as workshops, funshops, and planned time to explore 4-H core contentareas.

As a direct result of 4-H Summit participation middle school aged youth improved through theobjectives of the event. The middle school aged youth evaluated their experience. 98.33% feltaccepted 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. Youthimproved their communication skills (88.93%) and reported they could lead a communicationactivity once they returned home (87.24%). Expanded their leadership skills (90.82%) andreported 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 discussiononce they returned home (87.4%).