Success StoryTeen Summit Leadership



Teen Summit Leadership

Author: William Adkins

Planning Unit: Clay County CES

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Community Leadership

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is imperative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Due to the decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers (grades 6-8) in an effort to continue engagement. The program continues to grow and meet programmatic goals, 50% of the high school participants at the 4-H Teen Conference in 2018 had attended 4-H Summit during middle school. 4-H Summit provides youth the chance to learn about opportunities provided through 4-H while developing friendships, leadership skills, and communication skills that may benefit them as they explore their strengths and interests in relation to the world. 


552 youth from 102 Kentucky counties participated in Kentucky 4-H Summit in 2019. 76% of the youth completed the program evaluation. Of the group that completed the survey, 64% of the youth had never attended the event before, 76% had attended 4-H Summer Camp. 80% of the youth reported that they would like to advance in their leadership skills by applying to serve on the State Teen Council, the high schoolers that serve as leadership ambassadors for the Kentucky 4-H Program. 72% reported they would be interested in serving on one of the Kentucky 4-H leadership boards (Fashion Leadership Board, Performing Arts Troupe, Shooting Sports Teen Ambassadors Board, Science, Engineering, and Technology Leadership Board, and Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Ambassadors Board). 94% reported hearing about 4-H Teen Conference, which is the high school leadership conference held at the University of Kentucky each summer that attracts approximately 590 youth.


Through 4-H Summit programming, middle schoolers had the opportunity to create friendships with their peers and mentorships with older 4-Hers who served as their team leaders and taught their classes. Of those surveyed 97% of the middle schoolers reported feeling accepted by their team. 87% reported that they made a connection with their 4-H State Teen Council team leader. 


As a result of participating in 4-H Summit, middle schoolers reported that they increased their communication, leadership, and teambuilding skills. 88% of youth felt they improved their communication skills, 88% felt they improved their leadership skills, 91% felt they improved their teambuilding skills, and 93% felt they were able to give back through the community service activity. 


A major benefit of 4-H Summit is the confidence instilled in middle schoolers to go back to their community and find ways to become a leader and share their new skills with others. Youth were surveyed on their confidence in taking what they learned at 4-H Summit and applying it in activities at 4-H, school, church, or other organizations in their community. 86% reported they would be comfortable facilitating a leadership activity, 87% felt they could lead a communication activity, and 87% felt they could lead a group discussion. 


Laurel County 4-H had four participants this year at summit. There were two returnees and 2 new participants. The two that attended now both hold multiple leadership roles in clubs they are involved in. One of the new attendees also holds an officer position in a club and wanted to gain more leadership skills to bring back home. Fifty percent of these attendees have attended camp, while 100% wanted to continue gaining and honing more leadership skills on a county, district, and state level. 


Total 4-H Summit Participation 2019

Total

678

Female

460

Male

218

Youth

552

Adults

126

American Indian

4

Asian

9

Other

20

Black

15

Hispanic

11

White

628







Stories by Clay County CES


Art Leads to Positive Youth Development

Art Leads to Positive Youth Development

about 11 months ago by Alissa Ackerman

In todays society many youth struggle with stress, anxiety and depression due to circumstances at ho... Read More


Workforce Prep and Leadership Skills

Workforce Prep and Leadership Skills

about 11 months ago by Alissa Ackerman

Schools across Kentucky are seeking partnerships among organizations to prepare students for the wor... Read More