In an effort to build the Purchase Area Teen leadership program in both size and quality, the Purchase Area Teen Council determined to plan and host the first-ever Purchase Area Teen Leadership Round-Up for Purchase Area youth in grades 6-12. The event was designed by and for youth, with teens planning event details, teaching workshops and funshops, and promoting area and state level teen leadership opportunities. The Round-Up provided a six-hour learning opportunity in leadership. The day included opportunities for small group mentoring, leadership breakouts by age, funshops in a variety of 4-H curriculum areas, and a community service project in which the youth made blankets for children in local hospitals. Over 83 people attended, including 75 youth and 8 adults. Of those who attended, 59 youth reported that they made a new friend, 51 youth reported that they did something outside of their comfort zone, and 43 youth said they feel more prepared to return to their county as a teen leader. Only 11 youth had applied for the Clover Levels, but 53 youth said they might or would apply for the Clover Levels this year.

Twenty-two youth reported that being able to meet new people was their favorite part of the Round-Up, fifteen said they learned ways to become more engaged in 4-H, and twenty-five reported learning ways they could be a leader. When asked what they would do differently since attending Leadership Round-Up, thirteen youth said they would engage in more 4-H activities, ten youth said they would do more in their community, nineteen said they would strive to be a better leader, and three said they would like to become an officer. This year, the Purchase Area had five applicants for State Teen Council as opposed to three applicants in 2017, which is a direct outcome of the Leadership Round-Up. This opportunity was a wonderful way for all Purchase Area teen 4-H'ers to grow, no matter where they started. Both beginner 4-H'ers and seasoned 4-H'ers benefited from this day and the opportunity to network with others, give back to the community, and learn more about 4-H.