Forest County youth now have the chance to join other county youth in learning hands-on leadership skills that will help them become successful adults. Through a county leadership program titled “Discovering Leadership Forest County” youth have a chance to explore their community, learn about its history, visit local businesses, attend civic meetings, and meet other youth interested in making positive change in Forest County. The program is based on a successful Leadership program developed and maintained by UW-Extension and 4-H educators across the state.
The Discovering Leadership program will focus on building leadership skills necessary to become motivated and active members of their community. The program consists of seven day-long seminars with local business owners, civic leaders and non-profit organizations focused on the areas of teamwork, communication, problem solving, executive function skills and confidence.
Monthly programs include:
- Data and Demographics of Forest county
- History of our County – its industries, people and culture
- Business tours and featured speakers
- Civic engagement day with tribal/local/county/school government
- Health care and Law enforcement featured speakers
- Communication and media featured speakers
In addition to the monthly leadership programs, youth will be asked to engage in an Innovative Service-Learning Project for their community by identifying a problem/issue within their community and brainstorm potential solutions to the problem. Participants will present their ideas to a delegation of local leaders and their peers with the implementation of the project occurring if funding and engagement is determined to be feasible.
8th and 9th grade youth are encouraged to apply for this program beginning now. Applications forms are available from each school or you may download the application here. Homeschool and virtual students are very much encouraged to apply. Participants will be selected by UW-Extension staff and will be notified the second week of September 2021.
Please contact Michelle Gobert at 715-478-7797 for more information.
