4-H Program Impact Highlights

Learning environments that promote positive youth development have notable features. Over the past decade, research studies have shown that youth spending time in engaging, safe, structured, adult- supervised, and health promoting activities are less likely to become involved in health risk behaviors, as well as attain a variety of competencies and life skills outcomes (Dierking & Faulk, 2003; Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Roth et al.,1998). University of Florida and SumterCounty 4-H Programs provide opportunities for youth to feel safe, secure, respected, intellectually stimulated, and engaged in their community. 4-H youth development occurs from an intentional process that promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, relationships, and support. There are three focus areas of 4-H program effectiveness:

  • Creating high quality community based learning environments for youth,
  • Creating caring adult support systems for youth, and
  • Developing life and career skills through subject-matter topics.

In 2007, 23 Sumter county 4-H members and 12 volunteers participated in a statewide evaluation of the skills, opportunities and learning environments provided to Sumter youth through the 4-H Youth Development Program. This statewide study asked youth and volunteers to evaluate the skills acquired, the youth learning opportunities, engagement and environments along with the volunteer support provided youth as part of the program. A total of 707 4-H’ers and 363 volunteer leaders responded to the survey conducted in 23 counties in the state. This report will highlight the findings from the county participants compared to statewide results.

Environments for Positive Youth Development

Research supports three key contextual features of youth programming environments for positive development among youth. These features include providing an environment where youth:

1)feel a positive sense of belonging and acceptance;

2)experience high levels of youth engagement and learning opportunities;

3)feel safe and are provided supportive environments for growth and development.

A section of the evaluation asked youth and volunteers to assess the level in which they felt 4-H had met these goals. How effective has SumterCounty 4-H been at meeting these needs of youth?


Belonging and Acceptance

Nine items were used to assess youth and volunteer perceptions related to the sense of belonging and acceptance within the 4-H Program. The number and percentages of youth and adult ratings on each of the nine items (Table 1-A) provides the county program specific items where focus may be needed for improvements. The low value is the number of respondents who responded in the range of “not at all”, “a little” or “some” while the high represents those responding “a lot” to the specific indicator.Does 4-H provide positive environments where youth feel they belong, where they are not excluded from participation? Are there areas where we can improve?

Table 1-A. Response to Levels of Youth Sense of Belonging
County
Youth Perception
N=24* / County
Adult Perception
N=12* / State Youth Perception
N=707* /
State AdultPerception
N=363*
Belonging Indicators / Low / High / Low / High / Low / High / Low / High
4-H provides opportunities to develop close relationships with other youth and adults / 6
(26%) / 17
(74%) / 4
(33%) / 8
(74%) / 210
(34%) / 464
(69%) / 88
(24%) / 273
(76%)
4-H provides a supportive environment for feeling accepted / 4
(17%) / 19
(83%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 234
(44%) / 438
(66%) / 77
(21%) / 293
(79%)
In 4-H, youth feel useful and important / 2
(9%) / 21
(91%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 252
(38%) / 420
(62%) / 75
(21%) / 286
(79%)
4-H provides opportunities for staying connected to friends / 6
(26%) / 17
(74%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 218
(32%) / 452
(68%) / 103
(28%) / 257
(72%)
In 4H, youth are able to feel successful at things they do / 6
(27%) / 16
(73%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 242
(36%) / 428
(64%) / 77
(21%) / 283
(79%)
In 4H, youth feel adults care about them / 4
(17%) / 19
(83%) / 2
(17%) / 10
(83%) / 205
(31%) / 462
(69%) / 70
(20%) / 290
(80%)
In 4H, youth feel like they fit in with their peers / 6
(26%) / 17
(74%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 246
(37%) / 423
(63%) / 106
(30%) / 251
(70%)
4H provides friends who are easy to talk with and care about / 5
(22%) / 18
(78%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 205
(31%) / 465
(69%) / 101
(28%) / 259
(72%)
In 4H, youth feel like they belong to a special group / 5
(22%) / 18
(78%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 207
(31%) / 462
(69%) / 80
(22%) / 276
(88%)
*Missing data to individual items accounts for variations in reported numbers and percentages.

The statewide mean ratings by both youth and their volunteers were quite positive for each of the belonging indicators (Table 1-B). The scale was 1-4 with 1 being “not at all”; 2 “a little”; 3 “some”; and 4 “a lot”. Sumter county program, when compared to the state averages, was rated higher by youth an all items. Youth in the program feel accepted, feel very connected to their peers and that adult volunteers care about them. The adult ratings indicate some slight variations on specific indicators when compared to state averages.

Table 1-B: Mean ratings on Individual Items within Belonging
Belonging Scale Items / County
Youth / Statewide Youth / County
Adults / Statewide Adults
4H develops close relationships with other youth and adults / 3.83 / 3.60 / 3.58 / 3.74
4H provides a supportive environment for feeling accepted / 3.83 / 3.57 / 3.75 / 3.76
4H help youth feel useful and important / 3.91 / 3.50 / 3.75 / 3.76
4H provides opportunities for staying connected to friends / 3.74 / 3.57 / 3.75 / 3.69
In 4H, youth are able to feel successful at things they do / 3.73 / 3.55 / 3.75 / 3.77
In 4H, youth feel adults care about them / 3.83 / 3.62 / 3.83 / 3.79
In 4H, youth feel like they fit in with their peers / 3.61 / 3.53 / 3.64 / 3.68
4H provides friends who are easy to talk with and care about / 3.74 / 3.59 / 3.75 / 3.70
In 4H, youth feel like they belong to a special group / 3.61 / 3.58 / 3.75 / 3.76

Youth Engagement

The second feature of positive environments for youth development is the level of youth engagement that occurs within the youth program. Does 4-H provide a high level of youth engagement within the county 4-H club experiences?

Youth’s ratings of their engagement in various club experience included response to nine items rating to what extent they were involved in making decisions about programs and activities, provided opportunities to lead and conduct activities, provided opportunities to be recognized, or provided learning projects that meet their interest. Table 2-A provides the number and percentages of youth and volunteers ratings to these nine items. The low value is the number of respondents who responded in the range of “not at all”, “a little” or “some” while the high represents those responding “a lot” to the specific indicator. When comparing youth and adult perceptions within the county, three opportunities were identified that adults rated youth engagement higher than the youth did. These are bolded on table 2-A.

Again, when means of the 4-point scale for all items representing “engagement” were calculated, SumterCounty scored higher on this measure than the state average. For adults, there is some variance on individual items of engagement as reflected in table 2-B.

Table 2-A. Responses to Levels of Youth Engagement
County
Youth Perception
N=24* / County
Adult Perception
N=12* / State Youth Perception
N=707* /
State VolunteerPerception
N=363*
Engagement Opportunities / Low / High / Low / High / Low / High / Low / High
4H involves youth in decisions which affect them / 6
(26%) / 17
(74%) / 4
(33%) / 8
(67%) / 308
(46%) / 367
(54%) / 139
(39%) / 220
(61%)
4H involves youth from different cultural/ethnic backgrounds / 6
(27%) / 16
(73%) / 5
(42%) / 7
(58%) / 346
(52%) / 325
(48%) / 185
(51%) / 176
(49%)
4H provides opportunities for being a leader among peers / 5
(23%) / 17
(77%) / 4
(33%) / 8
(67%) / 280
(41%) / 392
(59%) / 85
(23%) / 277
(77%)
4H provides opportunities for exploring personal interests / 8
(35%) / 15
(65%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 265
(40%) / 406
(60%) / 97
(27%) / 262
(73%)
4H is the primary activity outside school / 6
(26%) / 17
(74%) / 6
(50%) / 6
(50%) / 334
(51%) / 315
(49%) / 197
(57%) / 151
(43%)
4H provides learning opportunities/projects to meet my interests / 6
(26%) / 17
(74%) / 6
(50%) / 6
(50%) / 233
(36%) / 415
(64%) / 80
(23%) / 270
(77%)
4H provides opportunities for leading and conducting activities / 8
(36%) / 14
(64%) / 4
(33%) / 8
(67%) / 302
(45%) / 368
(55%) / 94
(26%) / 266
(74%)
4H involves youth in planning and making decisions about club activities / 11
(49%) / 12
(51%) / 5
(42%) / 7
(58%) / 284
(41%) / 387
(59%) / 124
(35%) / 235
(65%)
4H recognizes youth for their accomplishments / 5
(22%) / 18
(78%) / 4
(33%) / 8
(67%) / 253
(38%) / 416
(62%) / 82
(23%) / 278
(77%)
*Missing data to individual items accounts for variations in reported numbers and percentages.
Table 2-B. Mean Scores for Engagement Scale Items /

County

Youth

/ Statewide
Youth / County
Adults / Statewide
Adults
4H involves youth in decisions which affect them / 3.70 / 3.44 / 3.50 / 3.56
4H involves youth from different cultural/ethnic backgrounds / 3.68 / 3.25 / 3.42 / 3.30
4H provides opportunities for being a leader among peers / 3.68 / 3.46 / 3.67 / 3.75
4H provides opportunities for exploring personal interests / 3.57 / 3.48 / 3.75 / 3.70
4H is the primary activity outside school / 3.65 / 3.25 / 3.33 / 3.29
4H provides learning opportunities to meet my interests
4H provides opportunities for leading and conducting activities / 3.45 / 3.38 / 3.58 / 3.70
4H involves youth in planning and making decisions about club activities / 3.43 / 3.41 / 3.50 / 3.61
4H recognizes youth for their accomplishments / 3.74 / 3.51 / 3.67 / 3.76

To what extent are youth taking advantage of the planned 4-H experiences?

Secondly, youth participants are asked to indicate their level of

4-H participation in various activities and events beyond the club experiences. The 4-H Program plans and provides intentional levels of youth opportunities and experiences to support the growth and development of youth. Previous research indicates that the more experiences youth are engaged in, the more likely they are to develop higher levels of skills and competencies

as a result of the program. Youth were asked to

report their participation in various planned program opportunities. These are reported in table 3-A.

Table 3-A. Self-Reported Youth Participation in 4-H Opportunities
CountyYouth Results
N=24* / State Youth Results
N=707*
4-H Opportunities / Yes / No / Yes / No
No. / % / No. / % / No. / % / No. / %
Classroom Project / 5 / 22 / 19 / 88 / 215 / 33 / 445 / 67
Day CampExperience / 8 / 35 / 16 / 65 / 250 / 38 / 411 / 62
Residential Camp / 7 / 30 / 17 / 70 / 292 / 44 / 369 / 56
Afterschool Program / 1 / 4 / 22 / 96 / 132 / 20 / 529 / 80
CountyEvents / 10 / 44 / 14 / 56 / 389 / 59 / 272 / 41
Fairs and Shows / 13 / 57 / 11 / 43 / 460 / 69 / 201 / 30
District Events / 8 / 35 / 16 / 65 / 287 / 43 / 374 / 53
State/National Events / 2 / 9 / 22 / 91 / 210 / 32 / 451 / 68
*Missing data to individual items accounts for variations in reported numbers and percentages.

Youth Leadership Experiences.The level of youth participation and engagement is also measured by the frequency in which they assumed leadership roles. The majority of youth assuming leadership roles were club officers (Table 3-B). A large percent of youth respondents had not had leadership roles as county council officers, district/state officers, camp counselors, school or other youth leadership as a part of the community. However, all youth reported being part of a youth-adult teaching team which is somewhat surprising considering the age range of youth respondents.

Table 3-B. Self-Reported Youth Leadership Roles
CountyYouth Results
N=24* / State Youth Results
N=707*
Yes / No / Yes / No
No. / % / No. / % / No. / % / No. / %
Club Committees / 4 / 17 / 19 / 83 / 220 / 31.1 / 434 / 66.3
Club Officer / 16 / 70 / 7 / 30 / 370 / 56.5 / 283 / 43.2
County Council Officer / 4 / 17 / 19 / 83 / 95 / 14.5 / 556 / 85.3
District/State Officer / 2 / 9 / 21 / 91 / 47 / 7.2 / 606 / 92.5
Youth/Adult Teaching Team / 23 / 100 / - / - / 74 / 11.3 / 579 / 88.4
CampCounselor / 1 / 4 / 22 / 96 / 125 / 19.1 / 528 / 80.6
School/other Youth Leader / 1 / 4 / 22 / 96 / 65 / 9.9 / 587 / 89.8
*Missing data to individual items accounts for variations in reported numbers and percentages.

Safe and Supportive Club Environments

The third feature of youth programming related to positive development is how safe and supportive is the environment in which the youth participate. This was measured by six items such as 4-H provides a safe place, adults support and encourage me, knowledge and expectations of clear rules, boundaries for behavior and expectations of personal responsibilities. Table 4-A provides the number and percentages of youth and volunteers ratings to these items. The low value is the number of respondents who responded in the range of “not at all”, “a little” or “some” while the high represents those responding “a lot” to the specific indicator.

Table 4-A. Responses to Levels of Youth Safety & Supportive Learning Environments
County
Youth Perception
N=24* / County
Adult Perception
N=12* / State Youth Perception
N=707* /
State AdultPerception
N=363*

Safe & Supportive Environments

/ Low / High / Low / High / Low / High / Low / High
4H provides a safe place for learning and growing / 5
(22%) / 18
(78%) / 4
(33%) / 8
(67%) / 171
(25%) / 501
(75%) / 61
(17%) / 300
(83%)
4H provides a safe feeling for youth when participating / 5
(22%) / 18
(78%) / 2
(17%) / 10
(83%) / 237
(35%) / 484
(65%) / 65
(18%) / 294
(82%)
4H has adults who support and encourage youth / 2
(9%) / 21
(91%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 194
(29%) / 477
(71%) / 72
(20%) / 288
(80%)
4H provides clear rules and expectations for behavior / 1
(4%) / 22
(96%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 187
(29%) / 464
(71%) / 77
(22%) / 270
(78%)
In 4H, youth are expected to clean up after themselves / 1
(4%) / 22
(96%) / 4
(33%) / 8
(67%) / 242
(36%) / 428
(64%) / 77
(21%) / 283
(79%)
In 4H, youth are expected to show responsibility for their own actions / 1
(4%) / 22
(96%) / 2
(17%) / 10
(83%) / 175
(26%) / 494
(74%) / 93
(26%) / 267
(74%)
In 4H, youth are able to participate without fear of exclusion, harassment or intimidation / 3
(13%) / 20
(87%) / 3
(25%) / 9
(75%) / 204
(31%) / 444
(69%) / 72
(21%) / 277
(79%)
*Missing data to individual items accounts for variations in reported numbers and percentages.

As with other indicators, the average of the ratings was calculated for each item for county comparisons with state averages. Table 4-B provides the mean scores for the 4-point scale for SumterCounty youth and volunteer perceptions of safe and supportive 4-H environments for positive growth and development.

Table 4-B.
Mean ratings of Safe-Supportive Scale Items / Sumter Youth / Statewide Youth / Sumter
Adults / Statewide Adults
4H provides a safe place for learning and growing / 3.96 / 3.68 / 3.75 / 3.82
4H provides a safe feeling for youth when participating / 3.78 / 3.55 / 3.83 / 3.79
4H has adults who support and encourage youth / 3.91 / 3.64 / 3.75 / 3.78
4H provides clear rules and expectations for behavior / 3.91 / 3.65 / 3.67 / 3.75
In 4H, youth are expected to clean up after themselves / 3.96 / 3.67 / 3.67 / 3.72
In 4H, youth are expected to show responsibility for their own actions / 3.96 / 3.70 / 3.83 / 3.73
In 4H, youth are able to participate without fear of exclusion, harassment or intimidation / 3.87 / 3.65 / 3.75 / 3.82

Creating Caring Volunteer Support Systems for Youth Development

Studies confirm the value of a significant other adult in the life of a child. The ability of 4-H Programs to provide safe and secure environments is dependent upon the management and quality of trained volunteers. Likewise, other youth outcomes like a sense of belonging and inclusive and supportive environments are related to the effectiveness of volunteers/relationships and interactions with youth. How effective were volunteers at mentoring and supporting youth needs?

Results of the 2007 survey of youth and adult volunteers supporting 4-H clubs revealed an assessment of the effectives of volunteers in two areas: 1) Caring and supportive environments through personal support and mentoring by meeting individual youth’s needs and 2) providing a safe and secure environment for youth through group management.

Volunteers Create Caring & Supportive Environments For Youth

Overall, youth rated 4-H club volunteers as very effective at individual mentoring and support (Table 5). A few of the top rated items where youth in SumterCounty reported volunteers show “ a lot” of support were:

90% of the youth reported that volunteers help them succeed;

86% of the youth felt that volunteers helped them feel important; and

80 % of the youth report volunteers recognize them for accomplishments.

When compared to state percentages of youth, Sumter county youth responded higher on these areas of volunteer support than peers in other counties. Areas that youth did not rate as high for volunteer support were in the area of listening, talking and inviting youth to express or share what they think with a range of only 60-71% of the youth reporting this happening a lot within their club experiences. These percentages were also very similar to state comparisons. Table 5 presents the adults perceptions of how they manage these tasks for comparison as well as state comparisons.

Volunteer Provide Safe and Secure Environments

Volunteer screening is an established best practice for safe 4-H youth programs. Establishing consistent screening and risk management policies to provide a sense of safety and security among youth has been a key activity since 2005. In 2007,Florida 4-H implemented a consistent chaperone training certification program for volunteers directly responsible for youth behavior and management for residential camping or other trips, especially overnight youth events. Training was provided for county faculty and volunteers to develop positive relationships and effectively manage youth behaviors within group settings.

Results of a 2007 evaluation survey of 24 4-H club youth and 12 adult club volunteers in SumterCounty measuring the impact of volunteer effectiveness of youth safety and security revealed these findings. Overall, youth rated 4-H Club volunteers as very effective at managing youth relationships and behavior within groups. Differences between how youth and adults view their effectiveness can be viewed in Table 5. Overall, 95% of the Sumter youth reported volunteers kept youth from bullying each other, compared to 74% statewide; 81% of Sumter youth reported volunteers managed conflicts among youth compared to 69% ratings statewide; 86% made sure 4-H events and activities were safe compared to 80% statewide.

Previous analyses from the 2005 Florida study of youth responses to the this survey revealed the significance of the impact of the volunteer support and management upon the life skill development of youth (Fogarty, Terry, Pracht and Jordan, 2007). It appears that how youth perceived the support from their volunteers and how volunteers managed club environments influenced the educational life skill outcomes from their 4-H experiences.

Table 5. Levels of Volunteer Support
Volunteer Leader Mentoring & Support of Youth Needs / County
Youth Perception
of Skills
N=24* / County
Adult Volunteer
Perception of Skills
N=12* / State Youth Perception
of Skills
N=707* /
State Adult VolunteerPerception of Skills
N=363*
Low / High / Low / High / Low / High / Low / High
Listens to me and my club members. / 6
(29%) / 15
(71%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 156
(32%) / 325
(68%) / 74
(24%) / 236
(76%)
Talks with me or other members when we have a problem. / 7
(35%) / 13
(65%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 147
(31%) / 330
(69%) / 96
(31%) / 212
(69%)
Helps me feel like I belong to a special group. / 5
(24%) / 16
(76%) / 2
(18%) / 9
(82%) / 164
(34%) / 323
(66%) / 62
(20%) / 246
(80%)
Helps me feel that I am important. / 3
(14%) / 18
(86%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 159
(33%) / 324
(67%) / 55
(18%) / 310
(82%)
Provide information that helps me with my project(s). / 5
(24%) / 16
(76%) / 5
(46%) / 6
(54%) / 163
(34%) / 320
(66%) / 76
(25%) / 307
(75%)
Helps me with goal setting, decision-making, and record keeping. / 6
(30%) / 14
(70%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 167
(35%) / 315
(65%) / 88
(28%) / 221
(72%)
Encourages and supports me to take leadership roles. / 5
(25%) / 15
(75%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 152
(32%) / 329
(68%) / 69
(22%) / 239
(78%)
Helps me succeed / 2
(10%) / 18
(90%) / 3
(30%) / 7
(70%) / 146
(30%) / 337
(70%) / 68
(22%) / 239
(78%)
Encourages youth participation outside of county / 5
(24%) / 16
(76%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 169
(35%) / 314
(65%) / 128
(41%) / 181
(59%)
Invites me to share what I think about things / 8
(40%) / 12
(60%) / 4
(40%) / 6
(60%) / 181
(38%) / 298
(62%) / 87
(28%) / 220
(72%)
Recognizes me for my accomplishments / 4
(20%) / 16
(80%) / 4
(40%) / 6
(60%) / 141
(29%) / 338
(671) / 60
(19%) / 249
(81%)
Volunteer Leader Youth Relationships and Behavior Management
Keeps youth from hurting others feelings / 2
(10%) / 18
(90%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 173
(36%) / 311
(64%) / 93
(30%) / 216
(70%)
Keeps youth from bullying each other / 1
(5%) / 19
(95%) / 3
(27%) / 8
(73%) / 147
(30%) / 334
(70%) / 80
(26%) / 228
(74%)
Manages conflict between youth / 4
(19%) / 17
(81%) / 3
(27%) / 8
(73%) / 161
(33%) / 323
(67%) / 93
(31%) / 212
(69%)
Makes sure that 4-H activities are safe / 3
(14%) / 18
(86%) / 2
(18%) / 9
(82%) / 99
(20%) / 388
(80%) / 44
(14%) / 264
(86%)
Provides fun, interesting activities that we can do. / 3
(15%) / 17
(85%) / 3
(30%) / 7
(70%) / 119
(25%) / 389
(75%) / 67
(22%) / 242
(78%)
Understands a “youth” point of view. / 5
(24%) / 16
(86%) / 4
(36%) / 7
(64%) / 191
(40%) / 293
(60%) / 124
(40%) / 186
(60%)
Sets high expectations for me. / 4
(20%) / 16
(80%) / 3
(30%) / 7
(70%) / 141
(29%) / 388
(71%) / 63
(20%) / 244
(80%)
Relates well to youth from a different culture/background / 3
(14%) / 18
(86%) / 3
(27%) / 8
(73%) / 170
(35%) / 317
(65%) / 102
(33%) / 207
(67%)
Makes sure we act appropriately during 4-H meetings, events and activities. / 5
(24%) / 16
(86%) / 3
(27%) / 8
(73%) / 75
(29%) / 187
(71%) / 126
(33%) / 153
(67%)
*Missing data to individual items accounts for variations in reported numbers and percentages.

4-H Adult Volunteer Participation

Table 6-A. Self-Reported Adult Volunteer Roles
CountyAdult Volunteer Results
N= 12 * / State Adult Results
N= 363*
Yes / No / Yes / No
My volunteer roles have
included: / No. / % / No. / % / No. / % / No. / %
Club work / 4 / 33.3 / 8 / 66.7 / 237 / 66.0 / 122 / 34.0
Teaching youth (beyond club) / 4 / 33.3 / 8 / 66.7 / 196 / 54.6 / 163 / 45.4
Chaperoning (beyond club) / 8 / 66.7 / 4 / 33.3 / 201 / 56.0 / 157 / 43.7
Coaching/Advising
(beyond club) / 3 / 25.0 / 9 / 75.0 / 129 / 35.9 / 230 / 64.1
Youth-Adult Teaching Team / 2 / 16.7 / 10 / 83.3 / 59 / 16.4 / 300 / 83.6
Event Planning (beyond club) / 9 / 75.0 / 3 / 25.0 / 166 / 46.2 / 193 / 53.8
Policy Making (beyond club) / 1 / 8.3 / 11 / 91.7 / 62 / 17.3 / 297 / 82.7
CountyCommittees or Boards / 1 / 8.3 / 11 / 91.7 / 61 / 17.1 / 296 / 82.9
*Missing data to individual items accounts for variations in reported numbers and percentages.

The participation of 4-H adult volunteers was measured by asking them about their participation in various volunteer roles

(Table 6-A). The majority of SumterCounty respondents participated in chaperoning and event planning. Statewide, the majority of volunteer respondents were involved in club work along with chaperoning youth and event planning. The least reported volunteer roles were county committees and policy making (beyond club).

In addition, adult volunteers were also asked to indicate their level of engagement within the 4-H program. Table 6-B presents the results of responding adults from SumterCounty as compared to statewide volunteer respondents. In SumterCounty, 1out of 4 (25%) respondents participated regularly in county leader trainings compared to approximately 1 in 5 volunteers statewide. Fifty percent of the responding volunteers in the county reported very frequent engagement in multi-county/district youth events as compared to less than 20% across counties statewide.