In 2021, Covid-19 brought with it many challenges to families including changes in employment, how their children received education and often changes in their finances.  Families found it challenging to make long term plans due to the continually changing safety guidance, school schedules and rescheduling of past postponed events.  Cooperative Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Danielle Hagler noticed that in the fall fewer families were interested in making long term commitments to programs that were traditionally year round.  While planning for the 2020-2021 4-h program year, Nelson County 4-H Agents, Danielle Hagler and Nicole Howard reached out to families to determine their programming preferences.  Over 90 families responded and overwhelmingly indicated an interest in short term program offerings.

In the fall of 2020, a variety of programming was offered including short and longer term. Grab and go kits and virtual program.   The programs saw a greater retention and active participation in short term programs, such as a series of 5-7 sessions, like the helping hands club, that occurred over the time span of 2 months. This program retention was even greater than non-pandemic times, with a greater number of youth completing projects that demonstrated their understanding of concepts. 

Volunteers were also less likely to commit to a longer term, but were still interested in leading shorter term programs. With this in mind, while planning spring programs, 4-H programs in Art, Science Engineering & Technology, Nature were offered in this shorter term format and in accordance with Covid Guidelines. 

The Art workshops were led virtually by a teen volunteer with support from the 4-H agent. Nine members took part in art lessons on design elements and more, utilizing virtual resources proved by the State 4-H program and step by step support from their club leader. They completed projects such as an acrylic paint pour, sculpting, water colors utilizing coffee, and more.  All members completed at least three of the projects live and many accessed the meetings recordings to complete their projects if they had a scheduling conflict with the live program.

The SET Series was led by a teen member of the KY 4-H State SET board, supported by the 4-H agent.  Members learned about concepts such as electricity, solar energy, robotics, coding and more.  The nine members either attended all of the program via live zoom lessons, or watched the recorded meeting if they had schedule conflicts.  In each of the sessions, members completed 1-2 projects, like a solar oven, led name tag, and an origami circuit robot,  demonstrating their understanding of the concepts they learned.  The group truly created a sense of belonging during this short time, asking for more sessions and often taking additional time to talk with each other via zoom.  

The 4-H Nature Club was offered in a hybrid form in May and June.  The county club coincided with the KY 4-H State Natural Resources Virtual Experiences month and Bio-Blitz citizen science programs.  Club members were encouraged to participate in the virtual offerings and 3 in person sessions at local natural areas were scheduled following covid guidelines. Families participated together in the club with around 25-30 people at each meeting, 18 of those being youth of 4-H age.  The 4-H Agent and Club leader introduced the members to concepts such as tree id, wildlife and aquatics, before allowing the families to explore the natural areas to participate in a Bio-blitz of the area where they utilize the inaturalist ap to find and identify as many plants and animal species as possible. The families enjoyed the series so much an additional date was added! the families noted that they enjoyed being outside with their kids and 4-hers enjoyed finding new and interesting plants and animals.