The highlight of many 4-H’ers during the year besides the county fair is the annual youth leader winter retreat. 4-H’ers in grade seven and older are invited to attend the overnight to learn many team-building and leadership skills and to also have fun and meet new friends.

This year for winter retreat 4-H’ers were able to go to Camp Omega located near Waterville. They first learned about their own personality styles and leadership skills that they possess and which skills they need to improve upon. They practiced this by doing many indoor activities and outdoor teambuilding games. Not only were they able to learn something, but they were able to work with other youth that they may not have known before.

Not only were the 4-H’ers able to learn skills that they can utilize at their own 4-H club, school, or within the community, but they were also able to have a lot of fun at retreat. Many board games were played along with snowtubing fun. On Sunday, 4-H’ers took a trip to the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul. They had a tour of the caves and also took a gangster bus tour with the legendary gangster Babyface Nelson as the tour guide.

The youth leader retreat is just one of the ways that 4-H youths can learn skills they can use for a lifetime, along with the other leadership opportunities that 4-H provides. If you or anyone you know is interested in this event or any other 4-H event, please call the 4-H Extension Office at 377-5660.

Megan Thorson is a program coordinator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service in Freeborn County.