Summer Internship Program: Bath and Highland Counties

Primary Program Area Focus: 4-H

1. Describe your plans for this internship.  (i.e. What specifically will the intern be doing?)

The Highland-Bath VCE Intern will be working under the supervision of 4-H Agent and Unit Coordinator, Kari Sponaugle. Funds for the intern are provided by 50% Bath & Highland County local budgets and 50% state. Some duties in the ANR specialty will be assigned as appropriate. Duties of the intern will include, but not be limited to: 

• Using skills learned from college courses and related experiences to plan a day camp or enrichment program for local youth. 

• Working to promote Highland & Bath 4-H programming by creating promotional items for upcoming programs.

• Training assistance and overnight camping supervision during Junior 4-H Camp and prior trainings, if available.

• Assisting Program Associate and 4-H Agent with remaining school functions at the beginning of the internship period (May-June).

• Invitation/attendance to 4-H club meetings and offering assistance in programming and activities as requested by leaders and/or 4-H Agent.

• Attending and/or shadowing the ANR Agent on farm visits and/or ANR programming during the internship timeframe. 

• Assisting with the Highland Sheep & Wool Producers Wool Pool.

• Assist in the organization of new and existing Extension program supplies.

• Learning VCE structure and resources in order to guide clientele to the proper available programming, agents, and publications. 

• Assisting with ANR and 4-H duties including but not limited to early animal weigh-in for the 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock projects, ANR field days, Cloverbud Day Camps, Highland School Garden weekly meetings, etc..

• Learning the basics of an office environment by assisting the UAA and AFA as well as learning proper office etiquette and teamwork skills. 

• Assisting with office coverage when secretaries, program associate and/or Agents are out of office. 

• Giving an Intern report during staff meetings and/or county board meetings during internship interval.

2. Describe the knowledge / skills you expect the intern to gain from this experience.

The student will:

• Gain knowledge and skills in program facilitation, 

• Learn use of 4-H curriculum and research-based materials; 

• Engage in different types of 4-H activities from summer day camps, overnight camping, club meetings, in-school facilitation and radio spot promotion

• Work with Agents in all VCE program areas as requested

• Learn the importance of scheduling and efficient use of time and resources for program management; 

• Learn the value in evaluation procedures of youth programming for future program improvements and record keeping.

3. How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?

The breadth of VCE programming will be apparent during the internship as many of the summer 4-H programs are integrated with other VCE agent positions. Animal Science and plant knowledge is shared through workshops and animal project work; youth learn the value of healthy living, conservation of natural resources and better nutrition practices through day camp and summer camp activities, classes and dormitory living, bringing in the aspects of FCS agent positions. The student chosen for the internship will be exposed to a 4-H program set in a very rural and secluded area. A major responsibility of the Intern will be to do the majority of program planning for summer day camps and/or specialty workshops, based on the intern’s personal as well as VCE’s interests, to enhance local programming experiences for youth in Bath and Highland Counties.