Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Youth Development (San Juan County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with programming that includes Project Work, Special Interest, School Enrichment, Competition, Clinics, Workshops, Outreach Efforts, Record Books, Camps, County Council, Officer Trainings, and Junior/Teen Leaders.

Situation Statement

Youth development emphasizes the importance of meeting the four basic human needs of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery. Studies indicate that youth whose needs are met in positive ways are likely to develop into active citizens and contributing members of their families and communities. The San Juan County 4-H Youth Development Program strives for every youth involved to have the opportunity to participate in 4-H experiences that strengthen a young person’s sense of belonging, generosity, independence and mastery.

Just under 22% of the San Juan County population is between the ages of 15 and 18 (U.S. Census Bureau 2000). The 2008-2009 Annual Extension Youth Enrollment Report for San Juan County reports a total of 651 active youth members in organized 4-H community clubs. The San Juan County 4-H Youth Development Program is committed to delivering research based educational curriculum and related learning experiences for youth in club, school enrichment, and special interest. Work in this area includes 4-H and other youth programs and activities that promote positive youth development. These educational activities facilitate the development of life skills, citizenship and leadership, fostering a sense of belonging and independence, providing opportunities for mastery, and creating a spirit of generosity. Through projects and activities in 4-H, youth have many opportunities to develop life and leadership skills that include responsibility, self-confidence, self-esteem, communication skills, teamwork and decision making. These skills are introduced, developed and expanded throughout a lifetime.

Target Audience and Actions

In San Juan County youth ages 5 to 19 are targeted to learn life, leadership and citizenship skills. Youth learn life, leadership and citizenship skills through: project work, special interest groups, school enrichment, competitive events, fairs, clinics, workshops, record books, camps, community service, public speaking, and elected or appointed office at the county, state and national levels.

Short-Term Objectives

1. During the 4-H program year, 40% of youth involved in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.
2. During the 4-H program year, 50% of youth involved in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities.
3. During the 4-H program year, 50% of youth enrolled in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
4. During the 4-H program year, 65% of youth in club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
5. During the 4-H program year, 55% of youth in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and teamwork skills through leadership opportunities at the club, county and state levels and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide events.
6. During the 4-H program year, 40% of youth in the 4-H club program will begin establishing partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth and adult partnerships.

Medium-Term Objectives

7. 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.
8. 60% of youth with 2-3 years experience in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities.
9. 50% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
10. 65% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in 4-H club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
11. 65% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and teamwork skills through leadership opportunities at the club, county and state levels and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide events.
12. 40% of youth with 2-3 years of experience in the 4-H club program will establish partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth and adult partnerships.

Long-Term Objectives

13. 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will learn subject matter concepts through hands-on experiences such as camps, clinics, workshops, etc.
14. 60% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H programming will develop life skills through project work, competitive events, real-life situations and career exploration opportunities.
15. 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in 4-H will gain public speaking skills, strengthening communication and organization abilities and self-concept, through speaking at club, school enrichment and special interest events.
16. 65% of youth with at least 4 years experience in 4-H club, school enrichment, special interest and county 4-H events will develop cognitive skills, teamwork, leadership and citizenship potential.
17. 65% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will gain leadership and teamwork skills through leadership opportunities at the club, county and state levels and demonstrate effective leadership and teamwork skills to local community members, organizations and projects, and provide primary leadership to statewide events.
18. 50% of youth with at least 4 years of experience in the 4-H club program will establish partnerships with local administrators and community leaders, effectively managing programs and facilitating change through youth and adult partnerships.

Evaluation Plan

Event and workshop evaluations will be conducted through surveys of at least 50% of workshops and 75% of major events. These surveys will be used to measure effectiveness of program, life and leadership skills learned and self-concept of youth participants.

Various curriculum kits contain instruments specifically designed for that curriculum. Evaluations will be conducted at 25% of all workshops or major events utilizing curriculum kits.

Qualitative data collected through 4-H Record Books submitted by the youth of San Juan County will provide tools for evaluating the long term effects of programming on life skills, public speaking, leadership and citizenship, as well as future and career plans of 4-H members.