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4-H Youth Development

Kansas State 4-H Office
201 Umberger Hall
1612 Claflin Road
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506

785-532-5800
785-532-5981 fax
kansas4h@ksu.edu

National 4-H Conference

The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults, at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture, assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development programs nationally and in their communities. This event brings together youth, volunteer leaders, and state and county Extension Staff members from across the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the Canadian Providences. Check out this video for highlights.

The event provides youth the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and skills to reinforce the attitudes and motivation that will give them a heightened sense of responsibility and capacity to connect with others as active member of society. Youth will engage in educational activities to explore, practice and master civic engagement skills and personal development to make a difference in their community, country and world. 

Any 4-H youth member program age 15-18 may apply for the opportunity to attend National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. area. The event is scheduled for April 19-24, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia. 

Applications are due Monday, October 2, 2023, local Extension Units may require an earlier deadline for their families. Applicants are screened and top applicants will be invited for interview. Up to six Kansas youth may be selected to attend this event.

One or two adult chaperones will also be selected to accompany the delegation. Chaperones must be at least 21 years old and must be a registered volunteer. Interested adult volunteers and Extension Staff should contact Beth Hinshaw or Dona Ratliff.

Cost to attend is approximately $2000. 4-H clubs, 4-H councils, local 4-H Foundations and local service groups have helped many delegates with this fee. Additional conference fees are sponsored by the Kansas 4-H Foundation and their generous donors. 

This link will take you to the 2023 Evaluation.

Interested in Serving in a Leadership Position?

National 4-H is recruiting for leadership positions for this event. Applications are due by August 30th.  Check out information on those positons and ways to apply here.

Resources

 

Application for National Conference Delegate/State 4-H Youth Leadership Council

READ THIS FIRST - Youth Council/National Conference Application Memo

Additional Password Protected Staff Resources