Guest Column by Megan Thorson

The Minnesota 4-H County Ambassador program engages approximately 1,200 youth across the state. It is an enhanced 4-H experience where youth represent 4-H through 21st century leadership and global citizenship that contributes meaningfully to their communities. In Freeborn County we currently have 16 4-Hers in grades 9 through 12 who are serving as ambassadors. Through training and service ambassadors develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations related to leadership, global citizenship and civic engagement. Our ambassadors in this county are very active in their service to the 4-H community.

One of their biggest things they do is leading the county cloverbud program. The cloverbuds are youth in grades K through 2 who are just starting to experience 4-H. The ambassadors not only plan the activities and games for special cloverbud days, but they also lead and encourage the cloverbuds at these events.

This last spring, Freeborn County was chosen to be part of the State Ambassador pilot which only 13 counties from the state of Minnesota are part of. Training was held for staff, volunteers and youth who would be involved in the program leadership. During this pilot year, we will be using curriculum from the University of Minnesota citizenship and leadership team on specific topics such as group challenges, service learning, 21st century learning skills, global citizenship and reflection. Our county is responsible for teaching these lessons with our ambassadors and then giving feedback and critiquing the lessons so that the state team can change the curriculum to be implemented across the state.

Besides the cloverbud program and being part of this pilot program, the 4-H ambassadors also have the opportunity to attend many other leadership events. Freeborn County has an annual youth leader retreat which is open to all 4-Hers in grades 6 and up. We also help plan a yearly regional ambassador retreat where ambassadors learn more about their leadership styles as well as their personality types. Statewide leadership events includes BLU (building leadership and understanding) as well as YELLO (youth exploring leadership and learning outloud) which is also open to any 4-Her grades 6 and up who wants to learn more about leadership and themselves.

One of our main goals in our county ambassador program this year is to do more with service learning across the community. Plans are in the works still to do something with  the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, as well as partnering with other organizations in town to serve meals this summer in needy communities. If anyone in the community has any ideas or donations they would like to give to either Ronald McDonald House, or to donate needed items for meals, please stop by the extension office to talk about how you can help!

 

Megan Thorson is a County 4-H Program Coordinator with the University of Minnesota Extension service for Freeborn County.