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.  This statewide program continues to grow, showing that 50% of the high school participants at 4-H State Teen Conference in 2018 had attended 4-H Summit during middle school.  4-H Summit provides youth the chance to learn about further opportunities through 4-H, while developing friendships, citizenship, leadership, and communication skills that may benefit them as they explore their strengths and interests in relation to the world. 

Three Daviess County Youth attended 4-H Summit session three among the 242 attendees of this session.  Total 2019 Summit attendance was 678 representing 102 counties across the commonwealth.  Of the surveyed participants, 64% of the youth had never attended 4-H Summit before and 76% had attended 4-H Summer Camp. Additionally, 80% of the youth reported that they would like to advance in their leadership skills by applying to serve on the State Teen Council.  Interest to serve on one of the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Boards was shown by 72% of surveyed participants.  These Boards allow youth to represent their county and district 4-H program on a state level, gaining valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, and planning.  Through 4-H Summit programming, middle schoolers had the opportunity to create friendships with their peers and mentorships with older Teen Leadership Board members and 4-H’ers, who served as their team leaders and taught their classes.  

As a result of participating in 4-H Summit, middle schoolers overall reported that they increased their communication, leadership, and teambuilding skills.  Results showed 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.  One Daviess County participant attended 4-H Summit as his first 4-H participation event and returned to the county excited to become more involved in the 4-H program and signed up to attend 4-H Camp this summer.