Success StoryStuck in the Middle at 4-H Camp



Stuck in the Middle at 4-H Camp

Author: Mackenzie Pogue

Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Providing Positive Youth Development Experience

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Many instances have brought to light the common issue of 4-H losing touch with youth during their middle school transitional years.  4-Hers are commonly active, or peak 4-Hers during their 4th-6th grade years where their involvement includes classroom clubs.  As students enter middle school, their 4-H involvement lessens as many additional extracurricular activities are introduced, and monthly 4-H clubs are no longer in the classroom. This such issue was identified as a problem in district 7 and three agents: Kelsey Chadwick, Ginny Harper, and Mackenzie Pogue planned to increase middle school 4-H involvement by implementing Stuck in the Middle at 4-H Camp.  This leadership retreat focuses on the 7 core areas of KY 4-H: Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health, and Expressive Arts, Leadership, Natural Resources, and Science, Engineering and Technology. In addition to these areas, 4-Hers learn leadership through teambuilding activities, and build caring relationships with the youth and adults attending the retreat. Stretched from across district 7, 68 middle school 4-Hers ranging in grade 6-8th attended this middle school retreat held at West KY 4-H Camp.  After participating in Stuck in the Middle, 4-Hers noted they will: be a better leader, join a club, come back next year, come to summer camp, do more 4-H, apply for achievement/cloverlevels. After attending Stuck in the Middle, 49 of the participants said they have not applied for cloverlevels/achievement, 18 of whom said they now will. 59 participants said they made a new friend, 21 had never attended 4-H camp before, and 38 said they will attend camp this summer. Stuck in the Middle has become an annual fall leadership retreated focused specifically for middle school aged students.






Stories by Mackenzie Pogue


Extension Extravaganza

Extension Extravaganza

about 2 years ago by Mackenzie Pogue

The Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Service hosted their inaugural Extension Extravaganza in... Read More


Let’s Bake: Getting Kids in the Kitchen

Let’s Bake: Getting Kids in the Kitchen

about 2 years ago by Mackenzie Pogue

Cooking is a valuable life skill that teaches children about nutrition and food safety, as well as b... Read More


Stories by Muhlenberg County CES


Extension Extravaganza

Extension Extravaganza

about 2 years ago by Mackenzie Pogue

The Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Service hosted their inaugural Extension Extravaganza in... Read More


Let’s Bake: Getting Kids in the Kitchen

Let’s Bake: Getting Kids in the Kitchen

about 2 years ago by Mackenzie Pogue

Cooking is a valuable life skill that teaches children about nutrition and food safety, as well as b... Read More