Arapahoe County Government: CSU Extension 4-H Program Brings Home Eight State And Regional Awards

Littleton CO

02 December, 2021

6:31 PM

Description

Press release from the Arapahoe County Government: December 2, 2021 Demonstrating leadership in innovative programming throughout the pandemic The Arapahoe County CSU Extension 4-H team was recognized with eight awards at the annual Colorado Association of Extension 4-H Agents Award Banquet Nov. 9, including a special plaque received for the Outstanding County/Area Award. The team worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to design highly engaging, creative youth programming, from virtual baker camps to virtual exchange programs with youth in other states. The leadership demonstrated by the Arapahoe County 4-H Team impacted families statewide. "Throughout the pandemic, with kids struggling from not being in school, the Arapahoe County 4-H Team has been incredibly innovative in providing engaging virtual opportunities for youth to learn interesting things, practice new skills, and connect with other youth," said Lisa Mason, CSU Extension Arapahoe County interim director and horticulture agent. "The feedback from all these virtual camps has been amazing! One mom shared that the Baker's Camp was by far the best Zoom experience her kids had during the pandemic. We are thrilled that the 4-H team has had that level of impact on families across Arapahoe County and Colorado."  Complete list of CAE4-H awards received: Outstanding County/Area Award  Honoring the County's 4-H team Claudia Meeks, 4-H Outreach Supervisor Ethan Cahill, 4-H Agent Livestock and Youth Development Shaylen Florez, 4-H Program Coordinator Jean Walton, Office Coordinator Excellence in Healthy Living  for Bakers Space Virtual Camp, a series of interactive virtual classes targeting youth ages 12-16. Youth learn about baking, food safety, and entrepreneurial skills and get hands-on experience baking their projects at home. Excellence in Teamwork  for Bakers Space Virtual Camp Denise Miller Innovation Award  for Virtual Exchange Program, a partnership between Arapahoe County 4-H and Maury County, Tennessee 4-H programs, in which participating youth meet virtually, share ideas and experiences, and learn from each other. Excellence in Teen Programming  for Virtual Exchange Program Excellence in Camping  for Bakers Space Virtual Camp Urban Ranchers Camp, a virtual summer program teaching youth between the ages of 8-13 about agriculture, livestock, and animal care. The camp included a live stream of hatching ducklings! Explore Your Outdoors, a virtual camp targeting youth ages 8-13 to learn more about their outdoor environment. Participants work through modules at their own pace on topics such as wildlife and forestry. Excellence in Urban Programming, Western Regional Award winner  For Clayton Elementary Program, a partnership between Clayton Elementary School in Englewood and CSU Extension 4-H and Master Gardener program, delivering community garden and nutrition education curriculum and outreach to community Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education Programming, Western Regional Award winner For Explore Your Outdoors A special shout out and kudos to Shaylen Florez, Ethan Cahill, Claudia Meeks, and Jean Walton for their leadership and innovation in 4-H youth programming, and thanks to Extension Horticulture Agent Lisa Mason and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Sheila Gains for additional help and support with these awarded programs.  To learn more about Arapahoe County 4-H, program enrollment, and other CSU Extension programs and services, visit https://arapahoe.extension.colostate.edu/ This press release was produced by the Arapahoe County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.