Leadership education builds several important assets in Kentucky youth and provides critical elements of youth development (Search Institute, 2004; Pittman, Irby & Ferber, 2001). The fewer assets young people have, the more likely they are to engage in negative behaviors (Benson, 1997; Eccles & Gootman, 2002). The more assets that are provided to youth, the more likely they are to exhibit positive behaviors. Strong leadership and decision making skills are essential assets in helping shape a 4-H member into a responsible adult (Jones, n.d.). County 4-H teen programs often struggle with the retention of tenured 4-Hers once reaching middle school due to the overwhelming demand of school, extra-curricular and church activities. Therefore, county 4-H programs often deal with limited teen leaders for 4-H camp, workshops and teen council/4-H council representatives. With leadership being one of the seven core curriculum areas in Kentucky 4-H, the goal of the 4-H Teen Leadership Academy is to help strengthen the teen’s leadership skills and encourage their involvement as 4-H teen leaders and adult 4-H leaders in the future.  The program started in 2008 as a combined effort between five Kentucky counties; Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue and Meade.  Participants, grades 8-11, meet monthly to learn about an aspect of their county; including: civic responsibility, volunteerism, college/workforce prep, media/PR, and city/county government.  Five applicants are selected from each county to comprise a group of 25 4-H teens for each annual class.  The class of 2018 completed a pre and post self-assessment, results indicated significant increases in several areas; relationship building, communication and group processes.  

Relationship Building

• 53% increase in delegates knowledge of personal leadership skills

• 47% increase in delegates knowledge of the desired traits and skills in one being a leader

• 64% increase in delegates knowledge of how similarities and differences in a group can affect group dynamics

• 35% of delegates were able to change a personal weakness into a strength

• 30% of delegates were more willing to bring their hidden strengths into the open

Communication

• 42% of delegates presented a speech and had not previously done this

Group Processes

• 47% increase in delegates ability to work as a productive member of a team

• 41% increase in delegates use of decision-making skills to solve problems

• 24% increase in delegates efforts to plan ahead

During the post-assessment, delegates were asked what advice they would give to future 4-H Teen Leadership Academy members.Statements included:

• [This is] “a good opportunity to learn new things.”

• “Speeches are not the worst thing in the world.”

• “Pay attention and you’ll learn valuable life skills.”

• “Don’t worry or panic – there will always be someone willing to help you.”