Creating leaders, caring and contributing citizens begins early in life.   Participation in 4-H, the largest out-of-school time youth program in the U.S. (National 4-H Headquarters, 2008), has been linked to a variety of positive youth outcomes. Research has shown that participation in 4-H programs reduces risk behaviors, promotes academic success, increases self-confidence, and enhances leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills (Astroth & Haynes, 2002; Goodwin, Carroll, & Oliver, 2007; Lerner, Lerner, & Phelps et al., 2008).   Participation in 4-H fosters core objectives, such as knowledge and skills, leadership and personal development, and citizenship skills through its projects, activities, and programs (Asthroth & Haynes, 2002)

4-H participation may begin as young as 5 years old in the Cloverbud Club program.  Boyd County 4-H began their first ever Cloverbud Club in 2002 with six members.  Ayla was 5 years old when she first joined the first Boyd 4-H Cloverbud Club.  The club focused on cooking with a new club leader and some very excited members.  This 4-H member continued in the Cloverbud Club until she was 8 when she then entered school and joined her school 4-H club.  Soon, it was 4-H Camp season and Abby loved camp.  She camped every year as a camper and then became a counselor in training; soon transitioning to counselor.  As soon as she was 13 years old, Ayla also joined the Boyd County 4-H Teen Council and served as a vice president of the 4-H Teen Council.   While serving on the council, Ayla founded new community service projects such as delivering flower arrangements to a local nursing home.  This service project was so popular that it was requested two consecutive years.  Not only has Ayla been active in    4-H clubs, she has volunteered hundreds of hours at 4-H Demonstration competitions; Reality Stores; Dollars and Sense; as well as camp. 

Camp fundraising is also a part of the 4-H Teen Council.  Ayla was usually a top salesperson of the annual Valentine Cookie sold to raise money to provide camp scholarships.  Soon Ayla was working and began to save her own money.  She said that as soon as she opened her first savings account that she knew she was going to sponsor a Boyd County 4-H camper!  Ayla felt that every kid should have an opportunity to experience camp regardless of his/her financial situation.  Therefore, Ayla became our first ever teen member to sponsor a camper with money that she earned and saved specifically to send a kid to camp.  She told the Boyd County 4-H agent that she can’t wait to get her homemade thank you card from a camper!

Throughout Ayla’s 12 years of 4-H experience, she participated in many 4-H projects, activities, and programs.  For the past 102 years, 4-H has been helping children and youth reach their fullest potential through learning new life skills, meeting new people, learning responsibility, and building self-confidence. Participation in 4-H fosters core objectives, such as knowledge and skills, leadership and personal development, and citizenship skills through its projects, activities, and programs (Asthroth & Haynes, 2002)  This Boyd County 4-H member is a great example of positive youth development and leadership in action.