Berks County 4-H Members Attend National 4-H Congress

Two Berks County 4-H members recently attended the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. They were among the 26 members of the Pennsylvania Delegation who attended the conference. National 4-H Congress was a five-day event focusing on various activities and workshops focused on leadership, team building, diversity, and community service.

Berks County 4-H members who attended the conference were Olivia Bentz and Kendra Dunn, both from Douglassville, Pennsylvania. Both girls participated in educational workshops, listened to motivational speakers, assisted with community service activities, and attended cultural events in and around Atlanta, Georgia. During their community service activities in Atlanta, Olivia helped with sorting and packing books for Children in Africa. Kendra helped with landscaping and cleanup tasks at Alpharetta Park.

Olivia has been involved in the Berks County 4-H Camp Programs. She has attended 4-H Camp Manatawny as a camper and has continued on as a 4-H Camp Counselor. She also attended various Berks County Day Camps and now comes back as a Teen Leader to help at the day camps. Olivia said, "Attending the National 4-H Congress, I learned about how to be a leader and a better person overall." She also said, "This was a huge step out of my comfort zone, but I’m so thankful I went. I would recommend others to go if they get the chance because they won’t regret it!"

Kendra, just like Olivia, has been involved in the Berks County 4-H Camp Programs. She has been a 4-H camper and 4-H counselor at 4-H Camp Manatawny, our weeklong residential camp. Kendra also attended various Berks County Day Camps as a day camper and now serves as a Teen Leader at some of the day camps. Kendra said, "The trip was fun, the people were great, I got to try new activities, hear from great speakers, and see a side of 4-H I didn't even know existed!" She was so glad she got the opportunity to attend National 4-H Congress.

Want to learn more about the Berks County 4-H Program? Please contact the Berks County Extension Office online or at 610-378-1327.

Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth administer local 4-H programs through nonformal education and outreach. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website.