Middle school age youth often times struggle with social interaction and personal growth in a supportive environment. Todd County 4-H provided multiple opportunities for middle school youth this year including 4-H Summit, Area 4-H Teen Council and Area 4-H Teen Retreat.  These opportunities are designed for middle school youth, providing them with opportunities for social interaction, hands-on learning, and personal growth in a supportive environment. The events foster essential skills such as leadership, critical thinking, and civic engagement, aligning with the National 4-H Beyond Ready Initiative. These events play a key role in youth development by promoting resilience, confidence, and community engagement, ensuring that participants are well-equipped for future academic, professional, and civic responsibilities.

Area Teen Retreat, the Area Teen Council and the 4-H Summit engaged middle school youth through a variety of structured activities, including interactive workshops, leadership training and community service projects.  The following outcomes yielded results from end of meeting surveys: 

* Social Activities: Encouraging youth to build social and emotional skills, with 57% of attendees motivated by meeting new people and 51% enjoying time with friends.

* Hands-on Learning: Workshops were a key highlight, with 61% of participants selecting them as the most enjoyable part of the Summit. The Leadership Workshop, attended by 39% of participants, helped develop essential leadership skills.

* Civic Engagement: Activities such as writing positive notes to assisted living facility residents helped youth cultivate a sense of responsibility and community service.

* Skill Development: Workshops focused on practical life skills, from car maintenance to kitchen safety, preparing youth for future independence.

Each program was aligned with the 4-H Youth Development Thriving Model, ensuring that participants benefited from a high-quality, structured learning environment with the support of caring mentors.

The Todd County 4-H Middle School programs successfully engaged:

* 26 middle school youth from Todd County. 

* 6 adults who provided mentorship and support.

The impact of the 4-H Summit, teen retreat and area teen programming was evident in both participant feedback and survey results. 

* Social and Emotional Growth: A strong sense of belonging was fostered, which is essential for healthy youth development.

* Workshop Effectiveness: 79% of attendees reported workshops as the most educational component. Specific highlights included:

Leadership Workshop (39%) ;  Service Project (30%)  

Continued Engagement: Participants showed enthusiasm for ongoing involvement in 4-H activities because of these opportunities and are: 

* 3.7 times more likely to participate in 4-H Achievement.

* 3.11 times more likely to seek a leadership board position.

* 2.7 times more likely to pursue a 4-H officer candidate position.

* 3.09 times more likely to seek an officer position at the county or area level.

Participant Retention and Enthusiasm: When asked if they would attend again if the age range were extended, 4.45 out of 5 participants indicated they would return.

4-H Middle school programming continues to meet a need for these youth who often fall through the cracks. The  programming  equips young people with the skills, confidence, and experiences necessary for future success.