Missouri 4-H Week Unites Youths For Leadership, Learning At Mizzou

MEGAN KERSHNER

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

Following Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of 4-H members gathered for Missouri 4-H Week, an annual event held on the University of Missouri campus. This weeklong celebration features two major events for the 4-H program: 4-H Teen Conference and State 4-H Congress.

The 2025 4-H Teen Conference, designed for 4-H’ers ages 11-13, kicked off the week with 250 youth delegates from across the state. 

 Organized by the 4-H Civic Engagement Ambassadors, the event featured a variety of workshops, including secret messages and fingerprinting, all centered around the theme “CSI: Communicate, Serve, Inspire.” The event also featured a service project in which youths made stuffed bears to be distributed to children by first responders. A regional spirit contest added to the excitement, with the Northeast Region emerging victorious against stiff competition, said Megan Kershner, MU Extension state 4-H leadership and civic engagement educator.

When asked what they enjoyed most about 4-H Teen Conference, delegates mentioned meeting new people, line dancing, staying in the dorms and, of course, being with their friends, Kershner said.

Immediately following 4-H Teen Conference was the State 4-H Congress, a three-day, two-night event for high school 4-H’ers. This year, 200 youth delegates gathered on Mizzou’s campus for college tours, educational sessions and a service project. The State 4-H Council played a crucial role in planning the event and led workshops on Public Speaking, Line Dancing, Team Building, First Impressions, and States’ 4-H International Exchange programs, Kershner said.

The annual spirit competition was won by the Urban Region, which received the traveling State 4-H Congress Spirit Competition Trophy.

Missouri 4-H Week continues to be a vital opportunity for youths across the state to develop leadership skills, connect with peers and gain new experiences that will benefit them in their future endeavors, Kershner said.   ∆

 MEGAN KERSHNER

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI