Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Eric Collins
Planning Unit: Lee County CES
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The problem
In a survey of parents conducted by the Family Resource Center at Lee County Elementary, responses indicated a desire for extracurricular activities other than sports. It was stated that not all children have the desire or ability to participate in sports, however, all children want to socialize and engage in appropriate activities with their same-age peers. |
The educational program response
As an initial response, Lee County 4-H decided to start an afterschool 4-H club. The club meets on Mondays after school from 3:30 to 4:30 and transportation home must be provided by parent/guardian. The club meetings have a different theme each month such as STEM or exercise and nutrition. |
The participants/target audience
Our Afterschool 4-H Club was targeted at 3rd through 5th grades. The weekly club meetings had an average attendance of 18 students. Out of those 18 students, 10 were girls and 8 boys.
Other partners (if applicable)
We partnered with the Family Resource Center at Lee County Elementary School to implement the club. Paige Ramey, the Coordinator of the Family Resource/Youth Service Center was instrumental in the success of the club. Paige passed out and collected permission slips, provided a meeting place, snacks and drinks for the kids, ideas for activities and even taught a lesson. |
Program impact or participant response.
The Afterschool 4-H Club was initiated with only 2 months of school left. With that being the case, it is difficult to realize outcomes in so short a time. One initial outcome that has been great for the Lee County 4-H program is simply the participation. To have 18 students regularly come to the meetings, ready to learn and be fully engaged was amazing.
I have been a 4-H Youth Development Agent for less than a year. This club is the first program I have implemented myself. To have it be such a success was amazing. It has allowed me to begin building relationships with some of the Lee County youth and their parents. It is my hope that these relationships will encourage continued participation in 4-H Youth Development activities for years to come for these 18 students. Furthermore, I hope that these 18 students will share how much they enjoy the club meetings with their friends and our program will continue to grow and reach even more youth in Lee County.
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