Summer Youth Development Interns
Kaitlyn Peine
Community Health & Wellness
County Extension Agent 
The summer season brings a flurry of activity to K-State Research and Extension Douglas County. In addition to the new staff we have
welcomed over the past several months, we also have the opportunity to host three summer engagement interns. Kalen Dressler, Rachel Pratt, and Hannah Riedy will be completing a 12-week summer internship focusing on reaching new youth audiences. The Kansas 4-H Summer Engagement: Helping Youth Discover Their Spark program is made possible through a grant from the Kansas Department of Education. The state 4-H office is graciously serving as the host for the grant.
The summer engagement program is placing over 50 interns in local K-State Research and Extension units. Douglas County is fortunate to host three interns. The program is designed to maximize efforts to reach school aged youth through direct delivery programs. K-State Research and Extension Douglas County will be partnering with local organizations and school districts to provide supplemental programs in the areas of S.T.E.M. and healthy living. Community partners for the program include Feeding Eudora, the Eudora School District, Baldwin Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, and Greenbush. The Douglas County team will also be hosting a Field to Fork Day camp experience July 12-14, 2022.
Hosting interns is a great way to build our staffing capacity and show prospective employees what it’s like to work for K-State Research and Extension. The summer engagement program will allow our organization to reach youth who may not have otherwise experienced our educational programs. For more information about upcoming youth programs follow us on social media and www.douglas.ksu.edu.
