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- An educational program for 4-H members to identify project areas of interest, participate in learning about that project area, and complete at least one hands-on project to take home. Youth who engage in pursuing their sparks/interest experience, growth, contribution, connection, protective factors, positive adjustment ultimately thriving orientation, leading to highly positive 4-H and individual outcomes.
- Youth participants in the 4-H program at Change Academy struggle with expressing positive emotionality. This lesson, like many, was designed to provide the opportunity to provoke a variety of emotions among the group of participants so that the caring adults could role model and coach participants through these situations using a pause, breath, respond strategy. Educators observed and reported youth used these skills throughout the day and referred to them throughout the week, Youth who demonstrate a thriving trajectory including positive emotionality also demonstrate high levels of academic or vocational success.
- Expanding access to 4-H through the development of high quality club opportunities is a priority for Sheboygan County 4-H. As the components of program quality increase, youth report an excitement and interest in joining 4-H. As a result of this Parliamentary Procedure Workshop 100% of participants indicated they increased their ability to participate effectively in debate when making group decisions. Participants cited their increased ability to apply what was learned to committee, club, and other group decision making opportunities. When youth and adult leaders have the tools to engage effectively in civic discussions, they increase their likelihood for a youth thriving trajectory.
- Increased tension and conflict among adult volunteers prompted my increased presence and coaching through conflictual situations. I have attended project committee meetings, project member and family events, and facilitated a mediation and agreement between adult leaders. As a result of my presence, coaching, and mediation, the Horse and Pony project has experienced stronger engagement at the subcommittee level, increased communication between adult leaders, and stronger engagement of youth leadership within the project as reported by youth participants, the Area Extension Director, and adult project leaders. As program quality increases through spark exploration, increased belonging and positive developmental relationships; youth engagement in the 4-H program increases leading to an increase in the thriving trajectory of youth.
