According to Arnold and Rennekamp’s 2020 Journal of Extension article, “Consistent with its mission of positive youth development, the 4-H program is uniquely positioned to address and mitigate COVID-19 impacts on youths by focusing on building youth assets and providing supportive contexts.  Unlike direct interventions for specific problems, 4-H addresses the multiple sociodevelopmental levels of the “whole child.” This whole child approach is more critical than ever because of the deep impact of the COVID-19 event on multiple assets and context in youths’ lives.  Furthermore, research has shown that consistent participation in the urgent need to pivot 4-H programs to work in this new reality in order to keep vital programming momentum and participation moving forward.”  

In the Fall of 2020, that is exactly what Spencer County 4-H did to continue their great program.   Virtual meetings were the way to continue the local 4-H program and 6 Club Leaders, 1 Coordinator, 16 Coaches, Program Assistant, and the 4-H Agent along with numerous families embraced this idea.  During the time of the pandemic, Spencer County 4-H grew in programs with one new certified Horse Leader and 5 New Shooting Sports Coaches going through certification, one being a new teen coach, in three different disciplines.  

The Cooking Club, Science, Engineering, and Technology Club, Livestock Club, and Horse Club met monthly or every other month to meet the need of youth to gather together for meetings through zoom.  The Cloverbud Club was the most successful group meeting online having over 9 meetings throughout the program year with an average of 50 participants and an average of 24 youth each month, but most importantly had 21 new youth to participate this year. It took a village with four adult leaders and four 4-H members assisting each month.  They met monthly versus every other month for the first time in the history of this club.  Pavilion Pickup Club Kits were also given to help youth each month to enjoy the club to fullest for SET Club and Cloverbuds.  The SET Club Leader created her kits and put them together, while the 4-H Agent created and put together the Cloverbud kits.  Kits were then distributed by the Agent after families registered on Zoom, from the pavilion at the Extension Office.  At the beginning of the year the Cooking Club and Horse Club were given binders to follow for the year which were picked up from the pavilion at the Extension Office.  This worked out great for all of the families!  Even though not all clubs continued this past year most did.  The Clubs that did had great turnouts and new families were brought in to the wonderful Spencer County 4-H program.

The Shooting Sports Club was able to participate with guidance during the summer and fall of 2020.   Spencer County Youth participated in the virtual state shoot in the fall, along with other 4-Her’s across the Commonwealth.  For 2021, more adaptations were made.  The membership drive was held via zoom, due to the size of the group.  Yet the Safety Briefings for both Archery and Rifle/Trap were held in person spaced outside at the Fish and Game Club.  The Coordinator, Coaches, and various other volunteers stepped up to ensure that safety practices were in place and the plans were followed for this club to continue for the 2021 year.  

The 4-H Country Ham Club learned new techniques and still were able to successfully showcase hams at a new location in 2020 and essays were written instead of giving traditional speeches.  Yet the curing process was started in January of 2021 and the youth have advanced this year by shucking their hams.  Now were are gearing up for the 2021 Kentucky State Fair where hopefully the youth will be given the opportunity to show their hams and given speeches in person!

Even with the pandemic bringing a halt to in person meetings, Spencer County 4-H found a way to advance our wonderful programs and bring in new members and volunteers all at the same time!  Therefore the 2020-2021 program year was a huge success in the 4-H Agents eyes!  Without the dedication of our volunteer leaders, this year would have not been the same.