Update on some the teen volunteers as they grow in leadership and communication skills:

Youth in 8th grade and above are invited to participate in the county 4-H teen group.  This year the teens have been particularly active in community service projects in the community.  This is due to the enthusiasm of the two county STC members and their leadership.  The group volunteered to assist the County Foundation in the annual fund-raising charity run as trail stations.  One completed her role as NRESci Ambassador.  Eight manned individual project booths at the FCS Day at the KSF and demonstrated various project skills to the public in Cloverville.  Fourteen of them learned to hammer nails and install baffles while framing a couple of houses with the Housing Alliance.  Eight of them helped the Challenger Learning Center of KY host the regional FLL competition.  They have made port pillows for cancer patients at ARH and baby blankets for the God's Lamb Baby Pantry.  One of them entered and won the KY 4-H Beekeeping essay contest. One of them was first in state for chicken BBQ and 6th in national contest.  Seven of them assisted the ag agent in hosting the EKY Bee School for 150 people.  Five of them made cupcakes for the EKY Vet Center for Christmas. Seventy six of them were trained and worked with 485 younger students in character/citizenship program.  Nine of them participated in the Summit Conference. Three teens applied for and received either Gold or Clover 5, one Gold interviewed for Emerald.  Three times there were 4-H informational booths set up in the community by teens.  Nine teens served as camp counselors and seven attended Teen Conference.  

All these opportunities are provide for the teens to learn to work with others as a team with a common goal, appreciating the strengths of each member.  They have to learn how to effectively communicate with others who are both adults and peers, people who know the program and people that do not. They have gained more self confidence as community people have made note of their service and generosity.  Some of them have found experiences such as building with their hands or working with younger children or evaluating forests that they are thinking now about future careers involving these aspects.  Two county teens this spring have applied for and were accepted to serve the District as State Teen Council members.  The baton has been passed on.