100 youth leaders in grades 7-13 attended the 4-H Fall Youth Leadership Retreat at Welch Village in October. Participants came from nine different counties, including Anoka, Dakota, Goodhue, Isanti, Olmsted, Rice, Scott, Wabasha and Washington. From Dakota County, participants included: Apple Valley – Grant Udelhofen and Adult Volunteer Kurt Udelhofen; Cannon Falls – Esther Susag; Dakota – Jennifer Schutt; Eagan – Adult Volunteer Pamela Faye and Veronica FayeFarmington – Katie King; Hastings – Elley Ries, Jordan Shaffer and Angie Thomas; Rosemount – Emma Johnson
100 youth leaders in grades 7-13 attended the 4-H Fall Youth Leadership Retreat at Welch Village in October. Participants came from nine different counties, including Anoka, Dakota, Goodhue, Isanti, Olmsted, Rice, Scott, Wabasha and Washington.100 youth from surrounding communities came together to learn leadership skills at the 4-H Fall Youth Leadership in October.
The leadership retreat was held at Welch Village Ski & Snowboard Area for two days and was packed with intense programs and workshops focused on leadership, communication and team-building.
“Join the Clover Team Alliance” was the theme of the leadership retreat, chosen by a team of youth and adults that served as the retreat’s planning committee. At the retreat, Iron Man led participants into clearer thinking… Wonder Woman showed participants some heart for others… Spider Man gave participants hands-on leadership webs to untangle… and Elastic Girl helped stretch participants to make healthy decisions. Retreat Highlights included a superheroes theme… Keynote Brian McNeill… Cap Note O’Neal Hampton from “Biggest Losers”… breakout workshops… old & new friends… a dance… and more! Participants left the retreat on their way to becoming superhero leaders!
Participants came from nine different counties, including Anoka, Dakota, Goodhue, Isanti, Olmsted, Rice, Scott, Wabasha and Washington. From Dakota County, participants included:
• Apple Valley – Grant Udelhofen and Adult Volunteer Kurt Udelhofen
• Cannon Falls – Esther Susag
• Dakota – Jennifer Schutt
• Eagan – Adult Volunteer Pamela Faye and Veronica Faye
• Farmington – Katie King
• Hastings – Elley Ries, Jordan Shaffer and Angie Thomas
• Rosemount – Emma Johnson
Speakers and Workshops included:
• Being a Superhero of Leadership – Keynote Speaker - Brian McNeill is an Extension Educator located at the Morris Regional Office and has been in Extension for 17 years. Using his experience from working with youth in a variety of youth leadership programs, he helped participants discover their leadership paths. He used humor and challenging activities to create an atmosphere of learning. Brian showed participants different tools to help one’s leadership journey be a successful one. Presenter: Brian McNeill, Extension Educator, Regional 4-H Youth Development, University of Minnesota Extension;
• Recovering From Leadership Failures – Cap Note Speaker – 52-year-old O'Neal Hampton Jr. of Richfield competed on “Biggest Losers” with his teammate and daughter SunShine. He began at 389 pounds, a size 62 waist. By the time The Biggest Loser aired in April, he had lost almost 120 pounds on the show. Although cut on the first episode, O’Neal continued to lose, despite the additional challenges of chronic knee injuries. And even though he was cast off the show, he says he's still going to win. Never again will he lose, not even when he just did. He has said, “Even though the show is over, my journey is not. I will stay healthy." As the Cap Note Speaker, O’Neal share his experiences and what he has learned. This presentation was a favorite and inspired many! Presenter: O'Neal Hampton, Jr. from “Biggest Losers”
• How Could We All Become Culturally Responsive Superheroes? – Participants learned about the "differences that make a difference" when working, communicating, or collaborating with individuals from different cultures than our own. This workshop focused on intercultural communication, problem solving, time, and relationships from different cultural perspectives; all which become indispensable when learning leadership skills in a new and interconnected global society. Presenter: Josey Landrieu, Extension Educator in Program Evaluation, University of Minnesota Extension
• Enhancing Your Leadership Tool Kit – This workshop showed participants leadership tools as part of their leadership toolkit. Participants were presented three different challenges and were challenged both physically and mentally. Presenter: Brian McNeill, Extension Educator, Regional 4-H Youth Development, University of Minnesota Extension
• Making Healthy Life Decisions – This workshop engaged participants in the opportunity to achieve physical and emotional wellbeing through healthy life decisions. This workshop will be interactive with biodots, stretch bands, “think your drink” and more. Presenter: Kim Asche, Extension Educator, Educational Design & Development, Center for Youth Development, University of Minnesota Extension
• Trust & Team Building Initiatives – This workshop was fun, active and filled with hands-on learning. Through trust and team building activities, participants learned to trust one’s self and teammates and listen to one’s inner voice. Presenters: Abby Wagner & Sara Wagner, 4-H Program Coordinators, Scott County 4-H, University of Minnesota Extension
• From 4-H Member… to Future Career Professional – This workshop featured a panel of 4-H alumni and career professionals, including Christina Pieper-Bigelow, MD, Gastroenterologist of Allina Medical Clinic, Bruce Waugh, Business Manager of WinField Solutions and Malissa Fritz, Communications Director of MN Board of Animal Health. Panelists focused on how 4-H helped them choose their career paths, how 4-H teaches applicable skills how 4-Hers will use 4-H skills in a future job, how to use 4-H experiences in a job interview, how 4-H helps set youth apart from the competition… and more. Presenters: Panel of 4-H Alumni Professionals in the fields of medical, marketing/communications, engineering, agriculture, finance, etc. (subject to change).
• Power of Public Speaking – Participants learned the basics of public speaking, whether giving a speech, a demonstration or a report, speaking up for a cause or simply selling one’s self, participants learned about the dos and don’ts of public speaking. Presenter: Kristyn Haberkorn, Educator
• Free Time – This workshop was full of “structured free time,” and participants had fun playing games and learning and enjoyed the power of free time! Presenter: Carissa Akpore, 4-H Program Coordinator, Dakota County 4-H, University of Minnesota Extension
• Communicating Your Team’s Message – Participants learned the tricks of communicating one’s team’s message, learned how to craft an elevator speech, practiced tailoring messages based on your audience, took part in hands-on role playing… and more! Presenter: Wendy Huckaby, Youth Development Communications Manager, University of Minnesota Extension
• Change Agent – Participants learned and experienced techniques to work through bullying challenges and learned how to become the agent to help lead change in your community. Presenters: Carissa Akpore, 4-H Program Coordinator, Dakota County 4-H, University of Minnesota Extension & Kirti Sinha, State 4-H Ambassador and Youth Teaching Youth Teen Teacher
4-H youth across the nation are leading efforts to solve problems in their communities and make a difference for their futures. 4-H is one of the largest youth development organizations in Minnesota and the largest in the nation with six million young people. 4-H in Dakota County is ranked the largest county 4-H program in Minnesota. 4-H, as part of the University of Minnesota Extension, is a program where youth learn through opportunities that provide them hands-on experiences in 4-H’s mission mandates of science, engineering and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. The program promotes life skills using your head, heart, hands and health. 4-H has connected youth and their communities with the innovative research and resources from our nation’s 106 land-grant universities and colleges for more than 100 years.
To find out more information about 4-H, or to locate a 4-H club in your area, visit the Dakota County 4-H website at www.umn.extension/county/dakota and click on 4-H in Dakota County, or contact Dakota County 4-H at the Dakota County Extension Office at 651-480-7700 or mnext-dakota@umn.edu.