3 Ways to Channel School Strengths into Summer Explorations

1. Celebrate Their Wins
Look beyond the report card. Ask:
• What subject or activity made them light up?
• What challenges did they face and overcome?
• What made them feel confident and capable?
These are the clues to where they can grow next.

2. From Strengths to 4-H Sparks
Match what your child loved at school to 4-H project areas:
• Science & Tech → 4-H STEM, robotics, environmental science
• Young Leaders → Leadership, civic engagement, teen mentors
• Creative Kids → Art, theater, writing, public speaking
• Team Players → Community service, entrepreneurship, animal science
• Aspiring Chefs→ Foods and Nutrition, Health and Wellness
We even have a whole 4-H club dedicated to all things STEM, check out Comet Tech here!

3. Let Youth Take the Lead

In 4-H, youth choose their projects. This builds ownership, excitement, and confidence. Encourage your child to pick a new area to explore. Whether they are interested in bugs, flowers or foods, Johnson County Extension has a class or a camp for that, learn more here!

4-H operates utilizing the thriving model, this framework allows us to instill important life skills in the youth that participate in our programs. Leadership opportunities allow for youth to find their inner voice and participate in civic engagement opportunities when available. Youth also build confidence, as they work with positive adults that guide them as they explore their sparks. These sparks are those moments and activities that light excitement within youth, in Johnson County 4-H we are dedicated to walking with youth and their families to foster their sparks into lifelong careers, passions and hobbies.

by Lexi Ray, 4-H Youth Development, 2025