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Moore County 4‑H reports growth, delays Real Money Real World simulation to spring
Summary
Cooperative Extension’s 4‑H update showed increased participation in 2024, announced hiring of a program associate, and postponed a simulation exercise to April because of illness-related cancellations.
Kaylee Lawing, Moore County Cooperative Extension 4‑H youth-development agent, updated the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 about 4‑H programming, a pilot Real Money Real World simulation and staffing.
Lawing said the office conducted preparatory sessions and a small-group Real Money Real World simulation last September and planned a larger event in January that was postponed because of sickness among participants; the simulation was rescheduled for April to avoid flu season and to allow more outreach to schools.
Why it matters: The county-supported program aims to teach financial literacy and life skills to teens and to develop a year‑long youth leadership track for grades roughly 8–11. Commissioners encouraged using school and chamber channels to broaden recruitment.
Key points
- Program structure and pilot: Lawing said the Real Money Real World simulation engaged five youth and eight volunteers in a multi‑day exercise; participants reported increased confidence on budgeting and life‑planning topics. The simulation places participants in a hypothetical life-stage budget exercise (for example, a 27‑year‑old with family and employment choices).
- Participation and scale: Lawing reported Cooperative Extension reached about 3,000 youths across its school programming, community clubs and camps in 2024. She noted roughly 2,200 youth were served through classroom programming and about 53 unduplicated campers attended residential camps (duplicated attendance would be higher).
- Staffing: Lawing announced the hire of a 4‑H program associate, Kim Singleton, who started the day before the meeting and attended the statewide extension conference on her first day.
- Outreach plans: Lawing said advertising to schools, listservs and the Chamber of Commerce contacts will be important. Commissioners suggested getting on the Board of Education agenda and using school communications to expand reach.
What was not decided
No formal actions were taken. Lawing asked for help getting school contacts and the county to support outreach; commissioners offered to assist with Board of Education contacts and promoted the program to county partners.
Ending
Lawing said she will follow up with requested demographic breakdowns and is planning more Real Money Real World events and a possible summer camp expansion once the pilot is scaled.
