Five Caldwell County 4-H teens participated in a virtual leadership conference with youth from surrounding southern states. The Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, or SRTLC, is held annually to allow youth and adults to develop leadership skills as well as to practice networking skills with 4-H’ers from other states. To abide with COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s conference was held virtually, with workshops, networking events, virtual campfires and dances, leadership lessons, and informative roundtable discussions being held over video conference.  There were 72 4-H’ers from Kentucky, along with hundreds of 4-H’ers from all thirteen southern states registered to take part in SRTLC. 

Despite the challenges of hosting an online multi-state event during challenging times, the virtual SRTLC was a tremendous success. One 4-H’er shared, “Even though it wasn’t in person, my first SRTLC was great!”   Other 4-H participants said the conference was “fantastic” and “a blast.”  

Youth that attend SRTLC are empowered and inspired to make positive changes across the southern region through leadership development, networking opportunities and collaborative partnerships. Youth and adult participants present educational workshops and roundtables on topics ranging from dancing for exercise to driver safety, from leadership styles to 3-D printing, and more.

Participants also donated school supplies to their local schools as part of the event-sponsored service project. Kentucky 4-H’ers contributed generously, and, with the help of fellow 4-H’ers from across the region, thousands of items were donated to schools in need across the state. 

All five county participants had a positive experience and plan to go back next year.  One teen mentioned that “they never realized how different 4-H was in other states.”  They also went on to say that, they felt more confident about taking on a leadership role, after attending several leadership workshops at SRTLC.