For over a year the Hart County 4-H program has had to shift from face-to-face contact with clientele to a mostly digital communication platform due to COVID 19 restrictions and the pandemic.  During this time, Hart County 4-H has offered virtual 4-H Community Clubs for cloverbuds, junior and senior members.

Over 45 students participated in the 4-H Virtual Community Club Meetings.  Students participated in programs related to visual arts, communications, home environment and nutrition.  Each month students would either pick up a packet of supplies at the Hart County Extension Office or they were delivered to the student’s school to be sent home.   All meetings were conducted via zoom.   

The club meetings were led by 4-H officers and the lessons were taught by 4-H volunteers or the 4-H Youth Development Agent.  As a result of the 4-H Virtual Community Clubs 94% of the students developed a skill from the club meetings that they plan to use in the future.  91% improved their skills in parliamentary procedure and 95% plan to use a skill or information they learned from the club meeting in the next two months.

One parent commented about the virtual program by saying “The 4-H virtual clubs have given my son the opportunity to learn about so many different topics in 4-H.  He is shy and this has been a great introduction to 4-H and this has been a wonderful way for him to meet other youth his age.  He is now excited to come to face to face club meetings after this experience.  We are looking forward to the fall meetings.”

A 4-H volunteer responded by saying “It has been a joy to teach some lessons during the 4-H virtual club meetings.  I have seen improvement from students on their art skills and the social interaction via zoom meetings for students during this tough time has made a huge impact on so many of these students.”