STERLING, Ill. -- University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator, Martha Ebbesmeyer, was recognized recently for her outstanding work in the area of youth development by the Illinois Extension Professionals for Youth Education (IEPYE) and the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP). Ebbesmeyer was recognized with two team awards for Excellence in Peer Professional Development and Excellence in Camping.
Ebbesmeyer served on a team of fellow 4-H Youth Development Educators that were selected at the state level for the Excellence in Peer Professional Development Award. This award was given for their work in developing a series of virtual trainings for new 4-H Extension Program Coordinators. This series offered and continues to offer monthly training for new 4-H staff, where they introduce specific topics relevant to the 4-H program. These training series also offer a comfortable setting where new staff can address questions or concerns amongst peers in the same position. Staff participating in these trainings have found the series helpful and informative.
Martha was also a member of a team of 4-H Youth Development Educators that collaborated to provide training for a Northern Illinois teen camp counselor team, which they were recognized with the Excellence in Camping award. The team of seventeen teens served as trained volunteer camp counselors over the course of three days during a 2021 Northern Illinois 4-H day camp. Camp counselors were trained and supported by six Extension staff members. Counselors provided leadership by planning camp activities, implementing programs and mentoring campers. Counselors reached a total of 91 campers from ten counties.
Ebbesmeyer serves as the Extension Educator for Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside counties for the University of Illinois Extension. Martha provides leadership to the 4-H Youth Development programs and youth initiatives. For more information about programs provided by Ebbesmeyer and the 4-H Youth Development team, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/clw.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
About Extension: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.