Bee County Youth Board Seeks Young Leaders

The Bee County Extension Office, of Texas Cooperative Extension, is starting a Youth Board for Bee County. The Board will be made up of high school youth in Bee County. Members will meet at least two times a year, attend a leadership training day camp during the summer, and host at least one youth program each year.

We are looking for a “few good youth” to help start the inaugural Youth Board for Bee County. Candidates should possess a drive to help better Bee County youth programs and a willingness to participate. Members will be trained on the components of the Youth Board and implement the planning process for a youth-based program here in Bee County.

For many years, youth programs have been planned and lead by adults. While these programs may have been successful, research shows that when young people work with adult volunteers the programs will be more successful and have greater impact; the ability of young people to communicate well, solve problems, and work effectively with others will increase significantly.

The County Youth Board’s purpose is to help the county Extension agent determine what programs should be implemented from year to year, determine how to reach new youth audiences, and identify youth issues that should be addressed in Bee County. The benefits to youth serving on this board include being a significant part of the educational process, seeing the impact the Youth Board has on the county, seeing positive changes in program participants, and developing skills members can use for the rest of their lives.

The Bee County Extension office has received a Rural Youth Development Grant to fund youth programs in the county. As a part of this grant, Rusty Horn, Madelyn Juranek, and Allison Porter received special training in launching the Youth Board. This training will serve as the model for the training all Youth Board members will receive in July.

Youth on the Youth Board will have the unique opportunity to represent Bee County youth and experience first rate leadership and life skills trainings. Any youth interested in being a part of the Youth Board (or if you know a youth who would contribute to the youth board) may contact Rusty Horn, County Extension Agent – Family and Consumer Science, Bee County at 361-362-3280 or rrhorn@ag.tamu.edu

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.