Kentucky 4-H aims to engage youth through hands-on experiences where they can build leadership competencies at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The Kentucky 4-H teen leadership program provides opportunities for senior level 4-H’ers to build upon their leadership skills in the core area of their interest at the advanced level. Our goal is to encourage youth to progress through leadership experiences, gaining skills for life. 

The skills gained through the Kentucky 4-H leadership program prepare youth for the workforce, the leadership bootcamp has the same goal. Senior level 4-H’ers are invited to the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Bootcamp to learn about and practice skills they can immediately implement in their 4-H career and beyond. 37 youth members from 17 Kentucky counties completed the experience held in conjunction with the 2022 Kentucky Volunteer Forum in Lexington, KY. The youth had the opportunity to participate in exercises that should empower them to lead within their community at an advanced level.

In the absence of the State 4-H Specialist for Teen Programming, multiple county agents, including the Meade County 4-H Youth Development Agent, stepped up to assure that a high-quality Leadership Bootcamp Experience would still be occur for registered participants. County agents served as program coordinators, session facilitators, and general program support personnel.

Participants of the 4-H Leadership Boot Camp met with current and former Kentucky 4-H State Officers, 4-H Agents, 4-H Specialists, members of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, and representatives of the University of Kentucky Career Center. Youth had the opportunity to learn and practice skills related to public speaking, interviewing, resume writing, etiquette, goal setting, and teambuilding. 

Twenty individuals completed the end of experience evaluation. Through 4-H Leadership Bootcamp 95% of respondents felt more confident in their public speaking abilities, 85% felt more confident in their resume, and 100% felt more confident in their interview skills. Respondents reported that they will use their new knowledge:

1. To improve my county Teen club and Livestock club. 
2. In interviewing and submitting applications for jobs and future leadership in 4-H.
3. Sharing and teaching these lessons learned to other 4-Hers.
4. These lessons will help me make future decisions about my life.
5. I can use these skills to contribute at the local Extension office and in the real world.
6. I can use these skills in class to be a more confident speaker.
7. Through this experience I learned to clearly communicate my ideas and control situations, that is something I hope to bring to future meetings. 
8. I learned appropriate etiquette in professional settings.
9. I am more comfortable in my communication abilities. I will use these skills to better myself for upcoming interviews.