Creating Teen Leaders

Published: 2019
By Nikki Bailey

4-H Teen Leaders in Carbon County increased their impact this year with several innovative projects. With the assistance of MSU Extension, the teen 4-H Ambassadors planned and organized a prom dress drive at local schools. The Ambassadors collected more than 100 prom dresses and traveled to three schools setting up prom stores. The dresses were loaned out to teens from around the county to save on the cost of attending prom. As in most service endeavors in rural communities, it took a village to accomplish moving these dresses over 100 miles around the county in the middle of winter. This project required the assistance of 4-H teens, 4-H leaders, Extension staff, school administrators and even the county road crew. In the end, the 4-H Ambassadors helped Carbon County teens save $1,500 in prom expenses. Carbon County teens also built upon their leadership skills by attending 4-H Camp Counselor trainings, including an overnight training in Joliet, planning a Project Day for younger members and teaching Cloverbud activities. Teens learned how to teach in a one-on-one environment and speak in front of large groups; they traveled with 4-H Exchange and made connections with teens from Kentucky; and became leaders within their own communities. One teen reported, “Doing things like this, leadership things, that’s where I learn the most in 4-H. The animals are fun and I learn there too, but through all the leadership training I have gained skills I use outside of 4-H all the time.”