Success StoryTeen Conference Helps improve Leadership Skills



Teen Conference Helps improve Leadership Skills

Author: Michael Rose

Planning Unit: Adair County CES

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Youth and Volunteer Leadership Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Through the 94th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H’ers from across the Commonwealth developed leadership and teamwork skills, improved communication skills, became involved in civic life, expanded knowledge related to a 4-H core content area: communication/citizenship, health, natural resources, agriculture, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, and science, engineering, and technology. The participants fostered a sense of belonging through networking, engaged in youth-adult partnerships, and became acquainted with the University of Kentucky to aid in college and career readiness. There were 590 senior level 4-H’ers who attended the 2018 leadership conference. For most of the delegation it was their first time attending the conference, and their first time staying overnight in a residence hall at the University of Kentucky. 50% of the delegates had attended 4-H Summit, the Kentucky 4-H middle school leadership development conference. Most of the conference delegates have been members of 4-H for 5-9 years. Delegates represented 95 counties from across the commonwealth. The dynamic learning opportunities delegates participated in during the conference were made possible by the event sponsor, Farm Credit Mid-America.

Through 4-H Teen Conference, delegates gained six hours of instruction in a core content area of their choice led by an expert in the field. 87% of delegates learned something new by participating in the core content area of their choice. As a result of 4-H Teen Conference delegates reported they are interested in learning more about majoring or finding a career in the following areas (in order of interest): science, engineering and technology, health, agriculture, leadership/citizenship, communication, expressive arts, family consumer sciences, and natural resources. 71% of the delegates reported they were likely to attend the University of Kentucky as a result of attending 4-H Teen Conference. 

Forty-two community service projects were completed with the assistance of a grant through the Bluegrass Community Foundation. Over thirty community serving organizations collaborated with Kentucky 4-H to provide the community service experience of the conference. 85% of delegates reported feeling like they had the opportunity to give back through the community service project.

Adair County had six youth who attended the conference for the first time. All six stated that they planned to attend next year’s conference. 100% of Adair County youth stated they learned something new and improved their leadership skills.






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