Decatur, Ill. - Nearly 100 seventh- and eighth-grade youth learned ways to improve their leadership skills at the 2022 western-themed 4-H Junior Leadership Conference held on October 14-16 at the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center in the Decatur Hotel and Conference Center Decatur.
Twenty Youth leadership Team members worked together to plan and lead the conference to help youth feel empowered to return to their clubs with stronger leadership skills.
“It’s so fun to see the Youth Leadership Team plan this conference and watch the junior high students blossom over the course of even one day,” says Katie Duitsman, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist. “They get pushed a little out of their comfort zone, which is a big part of the growth process.”
Local youth attending the conference included Carly Foley and Kaylee Daugherty. These two Marshall eighth graders are members of the Clarksville Co-eds 4-H Club.
Foley says, “I learned that public speaking isn’t as scary as it seems. I also learned that community service not only helps others, but it also helps you.”
The one-day conference put leadership skill-building into action with western-themed workshops that helped build public speaking skills, learn how to overcome obstacles effectively, and be a community leader. Team mixing and building activities helped youth forge new friendships and build the youth’s 4-H network.
“This is a great opportunity for them to make new friends and build connections that make them feel empowered to return to their clubs as a leader,” says Duitsman.
Youth also created over 750 dog toys to be donated to a dog shelter as a form of community service as a part of the event.
Local participant Kaylee Daugherty says, “I enjoyed making the dog toys out of old shirts, and the public speaking workshop was very informative.”
Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team members organized and taught the conference, a team of uniquely trained high school and college-aged 4-H members and young adult 4-H alumni.
A portion of the conference expenses was covered by the Illinois 4-H Foundation, which raises private funds to support the Illinois 4-H program. Additional sponsors included Growmark FS.
To learn more about 4-H in the community, please get in touch with Jennifer Bishop at 217-826-5422.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and is administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement and puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active, and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
About Extension: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.