Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Rachel Guidugli
Planning Unit: 4-H Central Operations
Major Program: Leadership
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Kentucky 4-H aims to engage youth through hands-on experiences where they can build leadership competencies at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council, Fashion Leadership Board, Performing Arts Troupe, Shooting Sports Teen Ambassador Board, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy, and the Science, Engineering and Technology Leadership Board provide experiences for senior 4-H’ers to build upon their leadership skills in the core area of their interest at the advanced level. It has been a trend that Kentucky 4-H State Officers serve on one of these state-level boards before applying and running for office.
The Kentucky 4-H State Officers represent the entire Kentucky 4-H Program, engaging youth, adults, and stakeholders throughout their term in office. It is a goal of Kentucky 4-H that youth who are interested in applying to run as a Kentucky 4-H State Officer have state-level opportunities to fully develop as a leader, therefore the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Bootcamp was created in 2016. Senior level 4-H’ers are invited to the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Bootcamp. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2021 Leadership Boot Camp was held virtually. 28 youth members from 20 Kentucky counties completed the day-long experience. The youth had the opportunity to participate in exercises that would empower them to lead within their community at an advanced level through state-level 4-H opportunities.
Participants of the 4-H Leadership Boot Camp met with current and former Kentucky 4-H State Officers, 4-H Agents, 4-H Specialists, and members of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation. Youth had the opportunity to learn and practice skills related to public speaking, interviewing, resume writing, teaching, goal setting, and teambuilding. 21 individuals completed the end of experience evaluation. Through 4-H Leadership Boot Camp…
I practiced these skills… | |
Public Speaking | 90% (19) |
Interviewing | 90% (19) |
Resume Writing | 81% (17) |
Teaching | 67% (14) |
I think what I learned today will benefit me in the future in my county or district… | |
Strongly Agree | 76% (16) |
Agree | 24% (5) |
I feel more prepared to apply to serve on a state-level leadership board or as a state officer… | |
Strong Agree | 57% (12) |
Agree | 38% (8) |
Neutral | 5% (1) |
I feel more confident in my abilities as a leader after today… | |
Strongly Agree | 57% (12) |
Agree | 10% (7) |
Neutral | 10% (2) |
I connected with others from across the state… | |
Strongly Agree | 52% (11) |
Agree | 33% (8) |
Neutral | 14% (1) |
I think I can use skills I learned outside of 4-H… | |
Strongly Agree | 81% (17) |
Agree | 19% (4) |
From the 28 youth members participating in 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, these are the state-level leadership opportunities they were interested in pursuing…
State Teen Council | 54% (15) |
State Officer | 43% (12) |
Shooting Sports Teen Ambassadors | 21% (6) |
Healthy Living Leadership Board | 18% (5) |
Science, Engineering, Technology Board | 11% (3) |
Performing Arts Troupe | 7% (2) |
Fashion Leadership Board | 4% (1) |
From the 28 youth members participating in 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, these individuals were interested in the following 4-H Achievement Program awards…
Gold Award | 57% (15) |
Emerald Award | 39% (11) |
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