Kaylee Lawing, Moore County Cooperative Extension 4‑H Youth Development agent, updated the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 about recent 4‑H programming, a Real Money Real World simulation and staffing.

Lawing told commissioners the Real Money Real World simulation — a hands-on budgeting exercise for youth aged roughly 13–17 — was first run in September as a small-group pilot. "Of the 5 participants, over 80% stated they believe that participating in this program gave them a better idea of what is involved in earning, spending, and managing their money," Lawing said. She said one participant told the staff that seeing realistic, quantified scenarios "has made me less worried about the future."

Why it matters: Lawing said the simulation is paired with a proposed yearlong 4‑H Moore County Youth Leadership program and that staff hope to scale the simulation and outreach in partnership with the Chamber, schools and county. The session scheduled for early January was postponed because of illness and low registrations; Lawing said the next run is planned for late April to allow more promotion and to get past winter sickness.

Lawing reported broader 4‑H activity for 2024: roughly 3,000 youth served through school programming, clubs and special-interest events; five weeks of day camps for ages 5–14 with more than 50 unduplicated campers; and intercounty livestock shows that drew youth from multiple counties. She also announced a new hire: Kim Singleton joined as 4‑H program associate and began work immediately.

Commissioners asked about school outreach, listserv distribution and demographic tracking. Lawing said enrollment and demographic data are collected via 4‑H Online and are included in the federal ES‑237 report the extension files with USDA; she offered to provide the county with additional breakdowns (for example, rural versus suburban participation) on request.

Ending: Commissioners pledged support for outreach to the school board and chamber partners; Lawing said she will follow up with the county and school staff to secure broader distribution and to scale the program for more youth this spring and summer.