During this time of COVID, volunteers and agents have worked together to brainstorm effective ways of reaching youth virtually.  As we neared the Christmas and New Year’s holiday break, cooking club leaders in Clark County developed plans for a Gingerbread House challenge that would be promoted on the county’s 4-H Facebook page but open to anyone 4-Her (not exclusive to cooking club members).

The challenge was divided up into 4 age categories that promoted 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners plus a People’s Choice winner in each division.  The entries were for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place were judged by an outside panel of local chefs and food industry folks via pictures submitted of the youth creating their projects and their final product.  The final product picture of each participant’s project was shared on the Clark County Facebook to determine the People’s Choice champions from the most likes, comments, and shares.

A total of 26 entries were collected across the four categories that resulted in 388 engagements on Facebook.  

The challenge was considered very successful and has resulted in the plans for several more like challenges to take place during the remainder of the program year that are specific to cooking club members in lieu of face to face meetings.