Moore County’s innovative youth internship program has received national recognition.

The Denise Miller Regional 4-H Innovator award is presented by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents. The Moore County program was chosen as the regional winner for the association’s Southern Region.

Now in its third year, the internship program encourages young people between the ages of 14 and 21 to serve as volunteer assistants in various county departments and agencies during their summer break.

Sixteen young people are participating this summer in the program, which will conclude during the week of Aug. 12-18 with volunteer service at the Dixie Youth World Series at Hillcrest Park. Earlier in the summer, they worked in county departments daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. for one week.

The Moore County Government Internship Program is a collaborative effort between the county administration and the local Cooperative Extension Service. Extension 4-H Agent Linda Gore, county public information officer Eli Arroyo-Allen and office assistant Mary Phillips planned and implemented the summer career exploration and civic engagement program.

The goal, as described by the leaders, is to help high school and college students to gain an understanding and appreciation of the impact that local government has on everyone’s life. Programs and activities are designed to develop citizenship skills and encourage participants to become active and involved in local government.

To accomplish this goal, participants work beside county government personnel and perform a service learning project. The service learning project this summer is the Dixie Youth World Series, expected to draw 5,000 visitors to the county later this month.

Participating departments include aging, information technology, Emergency Medical Services, parks and recreation, Cooperative Extension, tax, Board of Elections, library, finance, GIS (geographic information system), veterans, transportation and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Denise Miller 4-H Innovator award recognizes and promotes fresh, unique, and innovative work of 4-H and encourages creative thinking to “make the best better” for all 4-H programs.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at florence@thepilot.com.