4-H Youth Summit

California 4-H Youth Summit is a three day weekend leadership experience that is hosted in multiple locations throughout the state. We had seven youth in our San Mateo County 4-H Club attend the Bay/Coast Youth Summit held in Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma on January 10-12, 2020. The youth summits are geared for intermediate 4-H members aged 11-13, with a senior leadership option for ages 14-19.

The 4-H’ers: 

-Learned and practiced personal leadership skills

-Learned about career pathways and college

-Built connections with 4-H members, volunteers, and staff throughout the area

Read below for a first-hand account from a participant!

Bay Coast 2020 By Odessa, Pacifica 4-H Club

I love the 4- H Bay/Coast Youth Summit because I get to get away from the city and be out in nature at Walker Creek Ranch in Petaluma.  I also get to meet new 4-H friends from other counties and backgrounds.  I really enjoyed meeting Emily, aka E and Amber because they were fun and really funny, too.  My cabin was like a home away from home and I felt comfortable in who I was.

The Youth Summit is about learning youth leadership skills.  I went to a few conferences and learned about the 6C’s of leadership: Confidence, Competence, Caring, Connection, Character and Contribution.  I used confidence in my 4-H presentation the week after I returned when giving a 4H demonstration about how to sew pajama pants for my Clothing and Textiles Sewing Project. I also learned that it is important to understand: what you are standing up for, why it is important, and how it will affect the people and space around you.

My favorite part of the Youth Summit was taking a ton of photos on our hike, in the dining hall, in our cabin and during activities with my friends.  I also liked being independent in a new place.  I love my home, and I also love to explore new places.  I also enjoy being with new people.  I make friends really easy and really fast because I am welcoming and accepting, and I want to include everyone.  I think these are great leadership skills, too!

I’d like to attend the conference again next year because I want to have the experiences  of learning how to be a good leader, making new friends, and being a good leader myself in my everyday life, at school and in my club and community. I can contribute many things, such as having a helpful attitude.  I can treat others the way they want to be treated. I can be friends with everyone and I can be really positive. In doing all these things, I build my character and connection to others.