Adolescence is an important time for leadership growth. Increasing leadership in adolescence can reinforce self-esteem and be a catalyst for flourishing adulthood. Yet many adolescents are never offered the chance to act as leaders (Karagianni & Montgomery, 2017). 

The Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Service and Bullitt County 4-H Youth Development provides a number of teen leadership development opportunities for involvement in after-school or summer programs and plans to grow this area of programming in proceeding years. The Bullitt County 4-H Teen Leadership Council serves as a teen-led council that partners with the Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development to develop opportunities for teen leadership and life-skills development.  

Through the 4-H Teen Leadership Council, opportunities for college visits, service projects, healthy lifestyle develop, camp, and teen conference opportunities are shared with teen members, 8^th-12^th grade youths, to promote involvement outside of the school-day. 

Seven Bullitt County 4-H teens participated in Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference, where they experienced life as a college student on the campus of the University of Kentucky. Each teen participated in service learning, opportunities to network and belong, personal communication and leadership style development, and work as part of a team.

Two Bullitt County 4-H teens participated in the Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference (SRTLC) and the Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference. SRTLC provided an opportunity for teens to develop leadership and personal interest skills with teens from around the southern region in a camp-style setting. One teen said, “I’m so glad I decided to do this because now I have new friends in a bunch of different states!” Another teen from Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference participated in action groups designed to address community issues. This teen was visibly interacting and stepping outside his comfort zone to work with the other teens to address their chosen community issue. In the end, the group designed and requested funding for their community project, and was awarded funds for their proposal. 

The Bullitt County 4-H Teen Leadership Council allows teens to become involved in local, state, and multi-state efforts that allow them the chance to act as leaders of change. 

An evaluation was conducted with members of the Teen Leadership Council. 

• 12 teens note developing a supportive relationship with a caring adult
• 11 teens expressed interest in other leadership opportunities 
• 13 teens felt they had an opportunity to be independent through 4-H leadership opportunities 
• 13 teens felt they have learned new skills that will help them through college or careers

References

Karagianni, D., & Montgomery, A. J. (2017). Developing leadership skills among adolescents and young adults: a review of leadership programmes. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 23(1), 86–98.