When Covid-19 struck Kentucky in early March, schools closed and programs came to a halt. The Grayson County 4-H Youth Development Agent began shifting programs to continue reach through social media. Working with the staff assistant that manages the county Extension Facebook page, they began planning out a “Beat the Boredom” Challenge open to all youth in the county. Initial program lesson and video planning was lined out for two weeks, but soon realized that there would be many more lessons added, currently four weeks of videos and/or lessons for 16 challenges have been posted on the Grayson County KY Cooperative Extension Facebook page. The support staffer created a template for all posts related to the challenge to provide a uniform appearance and to help social media patrons spot the posts related directly to it.

Videos and lessons have included: DIY Dog Toy, DNA Extraction, DIY Catapults, Invitation/Thank You Cards, Hot Wheels Coding, Living Seed Necklace, Dollars & Sense, Paper Chain Challenge, Cartooning, Circle Drawing, Leadership Flags, Owl Pellets, Dress for Success, Photo Quest, Boo Boo Bunnies, No-sew T-shirt bags, Hand Prints leadership lesson, Fru-schetta, and Mixed Media. Also included in postings are messages and lessons from staff in the state 4-H office, like the 4K for 4-H event. Kits have been created for the Living Seed lesson to pick up, kits for Owl Pellets parents can reserve for their youth, and 38 wood kits were also pulled from storage for youth to reserve and pick up to complete. In total, since beginning the Beat the Boredom Challenge lesson, 38 virtual experiences were created for youth to take part in. 

The posts and videos have reached over 50,000 views with over 270 youth participating in the various project kits and lessons. For the local community, the 4-H agent felt it was extra important in these times of social distancing for the youth and families to see the familiar faces they saw at school programs, workshops and day camps presenting the lessons to them. The Challenge continued through what would have been the end of school, early May. At that time, 10 youth received prizes for completing the requirements to be entered officially in the contest. 

Planning and preparations continues for lessons and activities throughout the summer months in anticipation that when school begins back in the Fall there can be some programming begin back.