For the past two years Pike and Monroe Counties have worked collaboratively on a program called Mini-Society. Mini-Society is a program that uses an experiential based approach to teach economics and entrepreneurship concepts to children ages 8 to 12.

Participants in the Mini-Society program develop their own society with its own name, flag, and currency. Children come to understand entrepreneurship through experiences, role-playing and careful instruction. They identify tasks that will earn money and bring currency into their society. Society members independently create businesses to meet market opportunities they identify, providing products and services to their fellow citizens.

Students learn how to do market surveys, how to start a business, and what influences the success of a business. At the end of each business day, citizens of Mini-Society gather to discuss issues and concerns that affect their society. Usually, using a democratic system of government (society choice), the issues and concerns are addressed and action (if any) is taken.

The Egg to Chick (Embryology) program was used with 175 students in classes and home school groups ranging from pre-school – fifth grade. This program is designed to increase the student’s knowledge of parts of the avian egg, how to manage the incubation process, development of the embryo and how to brood live chicks.

***Embryology is one of the most popular school enrichment programs utilized by educators.

Kidz Kamp is held in cooperation with the Monroe County 4-H. The objective of having Kidz Kamp is to make 4-H programming available to youth in an area typically underrepresented in Monroe and Pike Counties.

Kidz Kamp is a three-day, day camp for children between the ages of 8 - 13 yrs. Twenty youth attended this year’s program, which was centered on the theme of Healthy Choices.

4-H’er Jaclyn Bealer of Milford participated in Pennsylvania State 4-H Capital Days, an annual citizenship awareness event.

Delegates from across the state participated in this two-day program that shows 4-H’ers how state government works and helps them understand their responsibilities as citizens.

4-H’ers visited state agencies, wrote a mock grant proposal and toured the capital.

Four teens from Pike County joined four teens from Monroe and Wayne Counties at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, the weekend of February 21 - 22.

Those attending the retreat participated in activities such as character building, socialization experiences, a confidence course, and sensory awareness activities. Participants were also treated to a special program conducted by Collegiate 4-H.

The purpose of this event is to enhance and develop leadership skills of the participants. Long range goals are that teens participating in this event might be able to utilize the skills acquired in their future role as camp counselor or teen leader. Evaluations indicated (80% on average) that participants felt activities were right on target as far as providing them with skills they would be able to utilize in future endeavors.

Throughout the year a variety of trainings are offered to Pike County teens. Those trainings include:

These programs encourage character development and group interaction. In addition, the programs were designed to provide teens with an opportunity to develop and enhance leadership skills and strategies for critical thinking and problem solving.

Training(s) components include:

Based on agent(s) observations, participants in teen training(s) displayed an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence.

As a result of these trainings, Pike County had three teens assume the role of Camp Counselor at Camp Shehaqua and two teens attended camp as Counselors in Training.