The teen conference returned to full participation in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down typical programming in 2020 and 2021.  Many youth reported they were eager to return to face-to-face experiences especially Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference.  As a result, the leadership event attracted 489 conference participants to the University of Kentucky campus: 389 youth and 61 adults from 84 Kentucky counties. It was sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program, the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Farm Credit Mid-America, and the Kentucky Soybean Board. 

During the educational experience all youth participated in a UK recruitment session with the Office of Enrollment Management. Additionally, they received academic exploration materials from the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Center for Student Success. This experience provided youth the opportunity to see what the University of Kentucky has to offer and begin the conversation about their potential to attend the University of Kentucky as a student. 

4-H partnered with 35 different academic units and departments across campus to provide conference participants with six hours of educational experiences in subjects (major) of their choice. These participants engaged in hands-on lessons inside/outside of the university classrooms, showing participants what student life might be like if they attended UK. The majors focused on: agriculture, health, natural resources, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, science, engineering and technology, and communication. 

Participants engaged in five hours of leadership development and service learning. All youth participated in a mentorship workshop led by a youth-adult facilitation team. 4-H collaborated with over 25 community serving organizations to engage in three hours of service work. 389 youth logged 1,167 hours of service. translating into a cost savings of $8,460.75 (3 hours x $7.25/hour) for organizations versus paid labor. These efforts supported local service organizations and empowered 4-Hers to think about their ability to impact change in their community. 

Kentucky 4-H is committed to providing educational experiences for all youth. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation awarded $13,980.50 to 88 Kentucky 4-Hers to attend Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation awarded $19,500 to 4-Hers in post-secondary education scholarships during Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference. 

Montgomery County was represented by five teen leaders, two of which serve on the Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council as district representatives and are tasked with planning, implementing and evaluating the conference for teens from across Kentucky.   One teen was installed as the state 4-H Treasurer serving as part of the five-member leadership team that leads the teen council and serves as the face and voice of Kentucky 4-H.  As a result of their conference participation, the teens aspire to be more active in seeking leadership opportunities and engaging in community service.