SPRING MILLS – “Make a Difference: Imagine! Believe! Achieve!” This theme for the weekend gave four Clearfield County 4-H members a lot to think about as they departed from the Regional 4-H Teen Retreat at Seven Mountain Scout Camp in Spring Mills, PA. The impact of two short days was quite phenomenal for them and the 4-H members who joined them from the Central Region. Chelsey Hughes of the Harmony 4-H Club, Branden Logan of the Clearfield County 4-H Hot Shots, Melinda Hutchins of the Open Range 4-H Club, and Alicia Sneath of the Harmony 4-H Club gained knowledge, skills, and formed relationships that will stick with them for years to come.
The retreat kicked off on the evening of March 19 with Keynote Speaker, Dr. Mark Brennan, Professor of Leadership at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Brennan provided the youth with a motivational talk about how they should step up and take the lead in their clubs and communities. This was followed by Ice Breakers with the Penn State Collegiate 4-H and a late snack before retiring to their lodge.
The following day’s workshops ranged from Parliamentary Procedure, to Questing, to learning how to promote 4-H. They even had the opportunity to get makeovers, learn how to line dance or learn about wildlife. The workshop on makeovers was led by Clearfield County’s own Rachel Davidson, Jana Davidson, and Kristin Mosch, who helped the teens learn make-up colors and hair styles that fit each individual to help build confidence and self-esteem. Dinner for the evening was semi-formal, complete with fancy place settings and entertainment from the Penn State University’s co-ed a cappella group, the Pennharmonics. Then, many of the teens participated in a Cultural Presentation, led by two students from the Penn State Saudi Arabian Student Association. The night concluded with dancing and games.
The departure on March 21 was more of a challenge than most expected. They had gained friendships that none of them were ready to leave behind; however, they did take with them the skills and knowledge they had gained over the weekend. Each teen returned to their counties with more confidence and poise than what they arrived with on Friday.
4-H is a non-formal youth development educational program of Penn State Cooperative Extension for all youth between the ages of 8 and 19, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification, or veteran status. For additional information on the 4-H program or to locate a 4-H club in your area, contact Jana Lynne Davidson at the Clearfield County Cooperative Extension Office at 814-765-7878 Ext. 3