4-H OFFERS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS TO LINCOLN ELEMENTRY STUDENTS

SITUATION
Lincoln Elementary of Wausau, WI contacted the Marathon County 4-H Program to offer an after school program for youth in grades 3-5 on Wednesdays.

RESPONSE
Amber Brei, 4-H Program Advisor and Michael Klapperich, 4-H Program Assistant responded to the situation by offering three five week sessions of educational programming. During the first five sessions, the youth learned about various types of games that would be inexpensive and fun. Youth learned how to play basic card games, group games and dominos. The focus of the second group of sessions was outdoor adventures. Youth learned how to use a compass, how to snow shoe and played games to learn about wild animals of Wisconsin. The last five week session, youth experienced theatre. The sessions began with theatre games to introduce acting. During the last three sessions, the youth produced a play.

RESULTS
Youth were very excited to come to the 4-H After School program. During the game series, youth learned new games that they could teach to others. The older youth in the program exhibited leadership by helping the younger youth understand the games better. The group’s favorite series was theatre. All of the youth were active participants in the play. Two of the older youth took time during study hall to type and email Amber Brei ideas for the play. Youth encouraged each other and showed leadership by working together and helping each other with memorizing lines. The participants were so excited about the play, that they invited their parents to attend and wanted copies of the recorded performance. 

EVIDENCE
Although there was not a formal evaluation, the program was a success based on responses from teachers and the after school program coordinator. Teachers would hear comments from students in the program about what they were learning.  The after school program coordinator was impressed by how educational and fun our program was and invited us to come back and provide the 4-H program the following year. It was also evident that youth who participated in the program developed leadership and teamwork skills.

Amber Brei, 4-H Youth Development Advisor - 2007 Success Story

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