Throughout its hundred plus years of existence, 4-H Youth Development has a wealth of experience in creating opportunities through which young people can build their capacities. 4-H has engaged children and teenagers in "learning by doing" through fun and hands-on learning environments, such as 4-H School Clubs.   Still it remains rooted in certain enduring elements, which have been essential to youth's positive development.  

Opportunities offered for skill, personal, and relational development reflect core principles of positive youth development programs especially when partnering with local schools.     The in-school delivery mode offers a combination positive experiences, positive relationships, and positive environments.  Ashland/Boyd County 4-H agent was asked to provide an in-school health and nutrition club at Ashland Middle School beginning the fall 2017 to utilize the school’s five teaching kitchens.

These Ashland Middle School in school 4-H clubs, included 321 sixth, seventh, and eighth students each fall for three consecutive weeks.  Therefore; after fall 2019, some eighth graders had nine weeks and 18 cooking/nutrition/health recipes and hands on lessons.  A total of 879 youth were enrolled over the three years.   

“Ally” was one of those Ashland Middle School students that had enrolled all three years in the 4-H Health and Nutrition Club.  Ally was also a student that shared many times that she had taken home recipes and skills and prepared many different recipes with her family at least 4 or more times as well as prepared an entire meal for her mother and sisters.  “Cooking for my family gave me a lot more independence.   You can’t always depend on someone else to do things for you.”  Ally told the 4-H agent.  When Ally’s younger sister won her class 4-H demonstration competition February 2020, the Ashland/Boyd 4-H Agent was not surprised.  Impressed was the emotion much more than surprised.

Impressed that Ally was cited as the girl’s source of information.  The school champion said that her older sister taught her how to prepare breakfast after having 4-H Health and Nutrition Club at Ashland Middle School.  

Ashland/Boyd 4-H once again offered opportunity for belonging, mastery, independence; and generosity.