KYG Facilitator Guide

WSU 4-H Know Your Government

Program Overview, Facilitator Guide and Onboarding Checklist

Washington State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Program in Partnership with the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC)

Welcome, Facilitator

Welcome to the WSU 4-H Know Your Government (KYG) curriculum. This guide is designed specifically for volunteer facilitators—the dedicated 4-H leaders who bring civic education to life in counties across Washington State.

You do not need to be a civics scholar, an accountant, or a professional teacher to lead these meetings. The curriculum is structured so that you and your delegates learn, explore, and practice together. Everything you need to facilitate each meeting with confidence is provided in this guide.

Program Identity and Target Audience

• Program: WSU 4-H Know Your Government (KYG)
• Target Audience: Washington State High School youth in Grades 9-12
• Meetings: Five 60 minute club preparation meetings, followed by the four-day state conference and post-conference leadership activities

Program Partnership: Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC)

WSU 4-H Know Your Government worked with Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC), the statewide organization representing all 39 Washington counties.

WSAC actively supports the KYG program by:

• Providing contact list of County Commissioners and names of county staff to invite to speak at county meetings
• Arranging for State County Commissioners and Councilmembers to participate at the state conference as guest evaluators during mock public hearings

To arrange a commissioner or county staff visit for your club, work with your local WSU Extension county office or contact them directly using the contact list. Learn more about WSAC at www.wsac.org.

Pedagogical and Foundational Frameworks

The KYG curriculum is built at the intersection of proven youth development science, social-emotional learning, and active civic pedagogy. Four interconnected frameworks guide the design of every lesson and activity:

1. The WSU 4-H Program Meeting Plan

All five club preparation meetings follow the standard WSU 4-H Program Meeting Plan, ensuring a balanced, youth-centered 60-minute structure:

• Group Building (15–20 minutes): Welcoming activities, icebreakers, listening exercises, and peer-sharing that establish a safe, inclusive climate and activate prior knowledge.
• Group Decisions (15–20 minutes): Collaborative dialogue, delegation planning, and democratic decision-making where youth analyze between-meeting discoveries and work through civic issues together.
• Program or Activity (20–30 minutes): Experiential learning, interactive simulations, guest commissioner visits, skill practice (presentations, budget balancing), and service learning connections.

2. The Flipped Classroom Model

To maximize high-value interpersonal practice during club time, direct information delivery occurs between meetings:

• Between Meetings (Independent Discovery): Youth research local county websites, complete online learning checks, calculate post-secondary education costs, watch TVW county documentaries, and interview local officials.
• During Club Meetings (Active Application): The 60 minutes are dedicated entirely to active collaboration—gallery walks, peer feedback, mock budget trade-off negotiations, and public speaking drills.

3. National 4-H Beyond Ready Framework and PYD Essential Elements

KYG directly advances the 4-H Mission Mandate of Civic Engagement / Citizenship and aligns with the national Beyond Ready initiative (Ready for Work, Ready for College, and Ready for Life):

• Beyond Ready Life Skills: Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Public Communication, Interest-Based Negotiation, and Dual-Track Financial Literacy (municipal tax allocation and personal post-secondary budgeting).
• 4-H Essential Elements:
• Belonging: Safe, inclusive environments established through Group Agreements and equitable norms.
• Mastery: Scaffolding complex civics and budget concepts step-by-step to build demonstrable competence.
• Independence: Empowering delegates to make real decisions in simulations and speak directly to elected officials.
• Generosity: Connecting learning to local public service, community pride, and civic responsibility.

4. CASEL Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and High Engagement

Grounded in the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) competencies:

• Social Awareness and Relationship Skills: Active listening, perspective-taking across diverse counties, and constructive conflict resolution during budget trade-offs.
• Responsible Decision-Making: Evaluating the ethical, financial, and community-wide impacts of policy choices using objective data.
• Self-Awareness and Self-Management: Managing public-speaking anxiety, recognizing personal financial goals, and committing to future action through structured reflection.
• Foundation Pillar (High-Quality Engagement): Challenge-by-choice, multi-modal participation (verbal, written, visual), and youth-led inquiry.

The Year-Long Program Arc

KYG is a year-long civic leadership experience comprising five distinct phases:

• Phase 1: Preparation (Fall/Winter — Meetings 1 through 5): Foundational civics, county budgets, negotiation skills, and personal post-secondary finance.
• Phase 2: KYG State Conference (February — Presidents Day Weekend): Cascade County simulation, three budget scenarios, mock public hearings before real commissioners.
• Phase 3: County Commissioners Presentation (Spring — Within 30 Days of Return): Informal presentation at a regular commissioners meeting.
• Phase 4: Community Action Project (Spring/Summer): Hands-on service project designed in partnership with county staff.
• Phase 5: County Fair Capstone Showcase (Summer): Self-selected capstone project displayed or presented at the county fair.

Phase 2: The KYG State Conference

Dates and Location

• Dates: February 12–15, 2027 (Presidents Day Weekend)

• Location: The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington

The Cascade County Simulation

At the conference, delegates from across Washington State come together to form a simulated county government called Cascade County. Upon arrival, each delegate is assigned to one of four key county departments:

Note: Delegates do not know their department assignment in advance. Meetings 3 and 4 prepare youth to be knowledgeable and confident in any of the four roles.

Cross-County Collaboration

Delegates are placed in cross-county teams alongside peers they are meeting for the first time, practicing the essential skill of building productive working relationships quickly with new colleagues.

The Three Budget Scenarios

Over the weekend, delegate teams navigate three distinct, real-world budget challenges.

Presenting to Real County Commissioners

Delegates present their budget proposals and crisis response plans in formal mock public hearings before visiting real Washington State County Commissioners and Councilmembers, who serve as guest evaluators and provide real-time constructive feedback.

Conference Preparation for the Community Project

During the conference, delegates will also begin planning their post-conference community action project—an initiative they will design and carry out in their home county after returning.

Phase 3: Post-Conference County Commissioners Presentation

Within 30 days of returning from the conference, delegates are expected to:

• Contact their County Commissioners’ office (with facilitator guidance) to request a spot on the agenda at a regular commissioners meeting.
• Deliver a presentation sharing what they learned at the KYG conference, what they discovered about county government and public budgeting, and how the experience shaped their thinking about civic leadership.

This is an authentic civic experience where delegates practice presenting with data, speaking confidently to elected officials, and connecting their learning to real community impact.

Phase 4: Community Action Project

Project Ideas:

• County Parks: Organize a trail maintenance day, park cleanup, or accessibility audit.
• WSU Extension: Host a civic education workshop for younger 4-H members or community youth.
• Public Works: Collaborate on a stormwater awareness, road safety, or neighborhood beautification initiative.
• Public Health: Support a community health fair, food drive, or youth mental health awareness event.
• Auditor / Elections: Assist with a nonpartisan youth voter education or civic participation campaign.
• Emergency Management: Help create or distribute community emergency preparedness resources.

Phase 5: Capstone Showcase at the County Fair

Every KYG delegate completes a capstone project demonstrating their year-long learning journey, displayed or presented at their county fair.

Capstone Project Ideas:

• Educational Display / Poster Board: Visual exhibit explaining county government structure, the KYG simulation, and key civic takeaways.
• Digital Presentation / Infographic: Digital slide deck or printed infographic detailing county budgeting, simulation outcomes, and civic insights.
• Written Report / Policy Brief: A 3 to 5 page written brief analyzing a specific county budget challenge or department priority with proposed solutions.
• Video Documentary: A 3 to 5 minute video documenting the delegate’s KYG journey, interviews with county officials, conference footage, and reflections.
• Community Action Project Showcase: A display documenting the delegate’s partnership with county staff, the service completed, and community impact.
• Personal Financial Literacy Portfolio: A project detailing post-secondary education research, cost of attendance calculations, financial aid findings, and personal funding plans.

Additional Sharing Opportunities:

• Presentations to local 4-H clubs or high school civics classes
• County 4-H Achievement Night displays
• Workshops at state-level 4-H events
• Articles in local community newspapers or WSU Extension newsletters
• Educational social media posts or infographics

Dual Financial Literacy: County Budgets and Personal Post-Secondary Plans

A core component of KYG connects public finance to personal life planning:

• Estimating True Cost of Attendance (COA): Examining tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses across community colleges, technical schools, public universities (WSU, UW, CWU, EWU, WWU, and TESC), and private institutions.
• Investigating Financial Aid: Researching the Washington College Grant, Federal Pell Grants, FAFSA/WASFA requirements, and identifying at least five legitimate scholarships.
• Calculating the Personal Funding Gap: Determining the difference between costs and aid, and developing a concrete strategy (work-study, savings, dual-credit pathways) to graduate with minimal debt.

Meeting Sequence at a Glance

10 Essential Keys for Facilitators

• 1. You Do Not Need to Be a Civics Expert: If a youth asks a county-specific question you cannot answer, write it in the “Parking Lot” on your whiteboard and look it up together on your county website before the next meeting.
• 2. Delegates Do Not Know Their Conference Department in Advance: Meetings 3 and 4 deliberately expose youth to all four departments so they feel prepared for any assignment.
• 3. There Is Rarely One Correct Numerical Answer: Public budgeting involves trade-offs. Focus on helping youth justify decisions using objective criteria (public safety, community equity, number served, long-term costs).
• 4. Teach Interests vs. Positions Early: Help youth distinguish what someone demands (position) from why they need it (interest) to unlock creative win-win solutions.
• 5. Establish and Keep the Group Agreement: In Meeting 1, create a Group Agreement poster (listening, respect, participation, technology). Display it at every meeting.
• 6. Close Every Meeting with Specific Appreciations: End each meeting with 1 to 2 specific, genuine compliments to model constructive feedback.
• 7. Work Through WSU Extension for Guest Speakers: Request commissioner or county staff visits through your local Extension office early in the process.
• 8. Support the Commissioners Presentation Outreach: Help delegates draft a professional email or phone script to request agenda time within 30 days of returning from Olympia.
• 9. Review Conference Logistics and Dress Code Early: Ensure delegates and families review packing guidelines (business casual for hearings, semi-formal for the banquet, casual/warm layers for travel).
• 10. Your Conference Role Is to Cheer Them On: In Olympia, adult volunteers step back and watch delegates lead, negotiate, and present. Be their biggest supporter.

Facilitator Onboarding Checklist

Everything You Need to Do Before Meeting 1

Step 1: Connect with Your Local WSU Extension Office

• Introduce yourself as the KYG volunteer facilitator for your county delegation.
• Confirm the number of registered youth delegates.
• Request contact information for WSAC-connected commissioners or county staff available to visit your club during prep meetings.
• Inquire about scheduling a commissioner or county staff guest visit for Meeting 3 or Meeting 4.
• Ask about county contacts who can support the post-conference community action project.
• Obtain local county budget summaries, org charts, or relevant resources.
• Confirm online quiz access links and deadlines for between-meeting learning checks.
• Record key contact information:
  • Local WSU Extension Contact Name, Phone, and Email
  • State KYG Program Coordinator Name, Phone, and Email

Step 2: Review Curriculum Materials

• Read this complete Program Overview and Facilitator Guide.
• Read the full Meeting 1 Facilitator Script (Tab 2) from start to finish.
• Skim Meetings 2 through 5 to understand the learning progression.
• Review all Between-Meeting Activities across the five meetings.
• Review the Conference Logistics and Schedule (Meeting 5, Handout D).

Step 3: Learn Your Local County Government Basics

• Bookmark your county’s official website.
• Identify current County Commissioners or Councilmembers and their district numbers.
• Identify the six independently elected officials (Sheriff, Prosecuting Attorney, Assessor, Treasurer, Auditor, Clerk).
• Download or print your county’s current organizational chart.
• Identify at least five county service departments.
• Find your county’s total annual budget and top revenue/expenditure categories.
• Identify one current local county issue suitable for neutral discussion.
• Complete the Facilitator Customization Sheet in Meeting 1, Tab 1.

Step 4: Prepare Meeting 1 Materials and Room Setup

• Print Meeting 1 Handouts (1 per youth/group):
• Handout A: County Services Scavenger Hunt
• Handout B: Small Group Discussion Worksheet
• Handout C: Between-Meeting Activities Guide (with dates filled in)
• Handout D (Optional): Meeting 1 Quiz / Learning Check
• Gather supplies: pens, pencils, chart paper, markers, whiteboard.
• Display the Washington State County Map and local County Org Chart.
• Arrange seating in small clusters of 3 to 4 youth.
• Prepare a visible wall space for the Group Agreement poster.
• Review accessibility supports (large print, oral reading, partner options, non-disclosure options for sensitive items).

Step 5: Schedule the Program Year

Fill in your delegation’s target dates:

Step 6: Plan the County Official / Commissioner Visit

• Contact your Extension office to request a guest speaker.
• Confirm meeting date (Meeting 3 or 4 recommended).
• Send date, time, location, and format details to the guest at least 3 weeks in advance.
• Have youth prepare 3 to 5 questions in advance.
• Send a prompt thank-you note from the delegation after the visit.

Step 7: Communicate with Families

• Provide families with the program overview and year-long schedule.
• Communicate meeting dates, times, and between-meeting homework expectations.
• Share conference dates (Feb 12–15, 2027), registration steps, and fees/scholarships.
• Explain post-conference commitments (commissioners presentation, community project, fair capstone).
• Provide facilitator and Extension office contact information.

Quick Reference: Checklist for Every Meeting

Appendix E: Meeting 1 Learning Check – Answer Key

Part 1: Multiple Choice

Part 2: True or False

Part 3: Short Answer

Answers will vary. Look for: accurate county/commissioner names, any 3 valid county services (roads, sheriff, public health, elections, etc.), a clear distinction between elected vs. appointed roles, thoughtful civic reasoning, and a relevant local issue.