Success Story4-H Summit



4-H Summit

Author: Katie Mills

Planning Unit: Christian County CES

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Enhancing Leadership, Volunteerism, and Public Policy Awareness

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 team building skills. 88% of youth felt they improved their communication skills, 88% felt they improved their leadership skills, 91% felt they improved their team building 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. 



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

Summit 2

Total

211

Female

151

Male

60

Youth

168

Adults

43

Asian

5

Other

5

Black

7

Hispanic

3

White

194






Stories by Katie Mills


4-H Outdoor Cooking

4-H Outdoor Cooking

about 1 years ago by Katie Mills

Youth in every county are always looking for more activities to do outside so what better way then o... Read More


Sewing for the Day

about 1 years ago by Katie Mills

Christian County has some wonderful volunteers that are always wanting to volunteer to help the yout... Read More


Stories by Christian County CES


Supporting Migrant families

Supporting Migrant families

about 1 years ago by Matthew Futrell

Supporting Migrant FamiliesAs the unemployment rate across the nation continues to fall it has prove... Read More


Tobacco GAP ensures quality products and consumer confidence

Tobacco GAP ensures quality products and consumer confidence

about 1 years ago by Matthew Futrell

Tobacco GAP ensures quality products and consumer confidenceThe tobacco industry has been under a lo... Read More