Many basic life skills are not the focus of regular classroom curriculum that students learn in the classroom. To address this issue, the Logan County Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development pulled together 4-H and Family Consumer Science curriculum to build an Adulting 101 program. The agents then partnered with the Assistant Principal and Family Resource Director at Auburn School to present the Adulting 101 school enrichment program to the students. There were six educational sessions presented covering the topics of Kitchen Know Hows, Table Etiquette, Laundry Know Hows, Workforce Prep, Basic First Aid, and Budgeting Basics. Included in each session was an educational message using a variety of visual aids and games and activities so that students had a more hands on approach to learning. Approximately fifteen students participated in the program over the course of two months.

 Pre and post evaluations were given to each student during each session. The evaluations showed the following results: 

• Able to identify basic rules of etiquette 
  • Pre 40%           Post 100%
• Able to identify the difference between my needs and my wants
  • Pre 87%           Post 100%
• Able to set future goals for myself
  • Pre 67%           Post 100%
• Confident that they can use appropriate laundry products and take care of their clothes
  • Pre 47%           Post 100%
• Understand the importance of “putting my best foot forward” when interviewing for a job
  • Pre 47%           Post 100%
• Understand the importance of and know how to keep my food safe
  • Pre 67%           Post 100%
• Able to correctly measure ingredients in the kitchen
  • Pre 67%           Post 100%
• Understand the basic rules of first aid
  • Pre 60%           Post 100%

Based on program evaluations, 100% of the students said that they will use the information that they used to improve their lives and of the things that they learned in this program, they will use kitchen know hows, interview skills and table etiquette the most in the future. As part of our continuing efforts to teach basic life skills to youth in Logan County, plans are to continue the Adulting 101 program in our school systems.