Like most agents across the bluegrass and country, we had to think outside the box when developing programs for this year.  The need for parents to provide educational resources and activities for their distance learners was high.  With the help of the Washington County 4-H agent, “Projects in a Box” were developed to not only enhance a child’s at-home learning experience, but to expose and introduce them to 4-H.  Three different themes were offered: S.E.T., Embroidery and Health. This helped provide programming in three 4-H core areas that that were not offered a lot of during this year of unusual programming.  Each box series included the 4-H member receiving one box a month for a total of three boxes.  Each box had 2-3 activities/projects in each with a total of 6+ hours of education with nearly all supplies needed.   

Participation:

1. S.E.T.: 30 boxes, 32 youth (13 new 4-H members)
2. Embroidery: 11 boxes, 11 youth (5 new 4-H members)
3. Health: 41 boxes, 85 youth (59 new 4-H members)

Feedback from both youth and parents have been positive.  Many appreciate the opportunity to enhance their child's at-home learning while learning new skills that they normally wouldn't be learning at school.  The goal of the Embroidery Boxes was to increase the number of youth in our county participating in embroidery projects and general sewing with the hopes they enter their finished projects into the Pulaski County Fair Floral Hall in July.