James City County
Primary Program Area Focus: 4-H
Describe the plans for this internship. (i.e. What specifically will the intern be doing?)
The James City County 4-H Summer Camp Intern will assist the Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development, in designing, implementing, and evaluating the James City County 4-H summer camping program.
Specific responsibilities include:
Lead or assist in the development, delivery, and evaluation of organized educational and recreation activities, including (but not limited to):
- Leadership
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
- Lego Robotics
- Aerospace
- Natural Resources and Environmental Education
- Foods, Nutrition, and Health
- Plants, Soils, and Entomology
- Work in collaboration with the unit Extension Agents and the James City County Extension Leadership Council to update the James City County Situational Analysis.
- Work in collaboration with the James City County/Williamsburg Master Gardeners, Farm Service Agency, and Farm Bureau to update a database of farmers and niche growers and producers in James City County.
- Work cooperatively with, 4-H volunteer leaders, teen leaders, campers, Extension faculty and staff, and James City County Parks and Recreation Staff.
- Maintain effective communications with 4-H volunteer leaders, teen leaders, campers, Extension faculty and staff, and James City County Parks and Recreation Staff.
- Follow all guidelines and policies of Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia 4-H Youth Development Program, 4-H camping program, and James City County Parks and Recreation.
June / 4-H Congress
To provide competitive and non-competitive educational experiences for teens and the adults who work with them, helping them to develop life skills and leadership abilities to becoming contributing citizens in their communities. Provide supervision for teen Congress participants; assist in program workshops; other duties as assigned by Virginia 4-H Congress Staff
June / James City & Essex 4-H Junior Camp
To assist youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential – becoming effective, contributing citizens through participation in research-based, informal, hands-on educational experiences in a residential camp setting. Facilitate hands-on, experiential, research-based activities for program delivery; facilitate group games and activities; provide supervision for youth; assist in the development of program evaluations; assist in preparing a program impact report.
July / 4-H Engineering Quest
To assist youth in developing 21st century learning skills in the area of engineering design. Campers will be engaged in planning, research, building a prototype and testing design. Facilitate hands-on, experiential, research-based activities for program delivery; facilitate group games and activities; provide supervision for youth; assist in the development of program evaluations; assist in preparing a program impact report.
July / Junior Scientist Day Camp
To assist youth in developing skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through the exploration of Aerospace Adventures. Participants will engage in challenging activities that teach about chemistry, biology, and engineering as they develop important life skills. Facilitate hands-on, experiential, research-based activities for program delivery; facilitate group games and activities; provide supervision for youth; assist in the development of program evaluations; assist in preparing a program impact report.
July / 4-H Robotics Day Camp
To assist youth in developing skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by promoting workplace skills in youth. Participants will explore teamwork, collaboration and disaster management while learning to appreciate science and technology. Youth will complete activities in each of the 4-H National Robotics curriculum areas including Virtual Robotics, Junk Drawer Robotics, and Platform Robotics. Facilitate hands-on, experiential, research-based activities for program delivery; facilitate group games and activities; provide supervision for youth; assist in the development of program evaluations; assist in preparing a program impact report.
August / Junior 4-H Day Camp
To assist youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential – becoming effective, contributing citizens through participation in research-based, informal, hands-on educational experiences in a day camp setting. Facilitate hands-on, experiential, research-based activities for program delivery; facilitate group games and activities; provide supervision for youth; assist in the development of program evaluations; assist in preparing a program impact report.
June – August / ELC Situational Analysis Support
Assist in identifying community-based needs that can be addressed through extension programing in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and community viability. Gather public needs assessments and identify trends in James City County across diverse groups; identify priority areas as outlined in the James City County Comprehensive Plan and Virginia Cooperative Extension Strategic Plan.
Describe the knowledge / skills that the intern is expected to gain from this experience.
- Increased knowledge of Virginia Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Family and Consumer Sciences.
- Increased knowledge of the programming logic model – situation, inputs, outputs, outcomes/impact.
- Development of delivery and teaching mode skills,
- Increased knowledge of program evaluation design and delivery,
- Development of leadership skills by practicing problem solving and communication techniques.
- Increased understanding of career opportunities within Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Tech.
How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?
The VCE – JCC intern will be exposed to multiple inter-disciplinary programs that incorporate 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and agriculture and natural resources in multiple delivery modes including community programs and youth camping opportunities. A field trip to Virginia State University will provide the intern with the opportunity to learn about agriculture research efforts at Randolph Farm. Working in collaboration with both unit agents and the Extension Leadership Council, the intern will assist in assessing community needs through the collection of needs assessments from local community organization. The intern will assist in identifying current community needs and align program priorities with the James City County Comprehensive plan and the Virginia Cooperative Extension Strategic Plan to update the James City County Situational Analysis. The intern will participate in one Turf Love visit to understand how county environmental sustainability practices are achieved through nutrient management education. The intern will be engaged in program development and evaluation and will learn to research the relevance of program needs as the initial stage of program development. The intern will gain skills in volunteer management and will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with 4-H volunteers and Master Gardeners. In addition, the intern will learn about program collaboration and attend program development meetings with local community partners and stakeholders. The intern will be encouraged to attain any relevant training opportunities both with Virginia Cooperative Extension and James City County.