Special to The Leader

BROWNWOOD — 4-H members in grades 8-12 and adult leaders will have an opportunity to hone their leadership skills during several 4-H programs at the 2016 Teen Leadership RetreatJan.8-10 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center near Brownwood.

“The teen retreat at the Texas 4-H Conference Center provides a state level leadership experience for 4-H youth ages 14-18,” said Mark Carroll, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 4-H youth specialist and conference center program director, Brownwood. “Participants learn leadership skills through workshops and hands-on learning experiences.”  

Carroll said the retreat allows participating youth to explore new or revised projects and curricula they can implement in their respective counties.

“This year’s program will focus on increasing knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, leadership, the Share the Fun program and wildlife,” he said.

4-H specialists, volunteers, and summer staff will lead program sessions.

Registration is $115 for youth and $85 for adults, which includes two nights lodging, four meals, snacks and all program supplies. Each county is requested to provide adult chaperones for the weekend. If there is no chaperone, one will be provided for an additional $90 fee.

Registration is from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 through the center’s website, http://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu.

Carroll said the 78-acre center is geographically located in the center of Texas on the western side of Lake Brownwood.

“The environment in and around the center, as well as its variety of indoor and outdoor facilities, make this a perfect venue in which to build friendships and learn new skills that will serve for a lifetime,” he said.

The program begins with registration from 7-9 p.m. Jan. 8, followed by a general orientation, adult chaperone meeting, dance, vespers and lights out at midnight.

Jan. 9 activities start at 7:30 a.m. and include a flag ceremony, breakfast and opening assembly. Much of the day will be devoted to concurrent sessions related to the featured programming areas, along with team activities and a dance and recreation time in the center’s auditorium.

Jan. 10 activities will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a flag ceremony and optional “polar bear swim,” followed by breakfast and then cleaning out the dorms prior to departure at 10 a.m.

Carroll said while this is a learning retreat, the main ingredient for the weekend is “a sense of fun.”