Leadership Opportunities

Junior Leader

Junior Leaders are (7th-12th grade) youth who help lead their 4-H club by organizing community service opportunities and completing projects with their adult 4-H leader. 4-H youth who want to develop their leadership skills can attend a Junior Leadership Training, which is usually held in late winter or early spring. The next training will be on March 7, 2026, from 10am-12pm. This was rescheduled from 2/7.

Flyer & Registration

Resources (download for fillable): Junior Leader Record, Project Evaluation, Junior Leader Advancements

Teen Leader

Empower the next generation by leading your 4-H club side-by-side with an adult mentor! This is a unique opportunity for 10th–12th graders to gain real-world leadership experience, build their resumes, and give back to the community by co-leading their club. To become a Teen Leader, youth are invited to attend a New Volunteer Training session.

Our next round of trainings will kick off in Fall 2026. Stay tuned for dates!

County Ambassador

County Ambassadors are youth in grades 9th-12th. The role of a County Ambassador is to represent the Benton County 4-H program throughout the county. Duties will include working with a team to plan, coordinate, and implement regular 4-H county events such as 4-H Open House, Awards Banquet, and Fair! Ambassadors may also be involved in activities such as Junior Leader Training, Service Projects, and more! Applications are available in October/November. Apply Online - Application Deadline is November 30, 2025.

Benton County Fair Board 4-H Liaison

The 4-H member in this position would represent the Benton County 4-H program to the Benton County Fair Board. Members would connect with 4-H faculty prior to meetings to gather insight and information to share with the Fair Board. This position would require the member to attend all Fair Board meetings and report to county 4-H faculty. This is a one-year position and is open to any enrolled 10th-12th grade 4-H member. Applications are accepted September-October.

State Ambassador

The State 4-H State Ambassador team is a group of 10-20 outstanding Oregon 4-H youth. 4-H youth in the 9th-12th grades who are interested in rewarding experiences and opportunities to develop their leadership skills can apply. Ambassador applications are due in the Oregon State 4-H office by May 1. Applicants are interviewed at 4-H Summer Conference in June and the selection is announced. For more information on the State Ambassador program, please review these resources. Online applications and additional information can be found here.

4-H Camp Counselor

Youth in grades 9–12 can apply annually to serve as a Camp Counselor at "Wild Rivers 4-H Camp," where they gain invaluable job experience in leadership and responsibility. 4-H Camp consists of two sessions held in June and August. Applications are typically due in February, followed by a Counselor Information Day in March. Selected counselors and alternates must attend mandatory training in May. This opportunity is open to all youth, regardless of 4-H affiliation. Additionally, Junior Staff positions are available for college-age students or older. For more information or to apply, please contact Andrea Leao ([email protected]).

National 4-H Conference

National 4-H Conference is an annual event held at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Conference events take place in the greater Washington D.C. area where delegates visit the Capitol Mall, Smithsonian Institute museums, legislative office buildings, and federal agencies. 4-H members will learn about civic engagement, practice leadership skills, experience teamwork, and learn more about US history and government processes. Teen delegates will share their perspectives, creative thinking, and “voices” during presentations to federal agencies. This is a state-sponsored award trip. Oregon selects two to six delegates, depending on scholarship funds available. Oregon delegates will be selected for (a) their interest in civic engagement and citizenship, (b) their ability to represent Oregon 4-H effectively as public speakers and leaders, and (c) representing the broad perspective of Oregon’s counties and 4-H programs. Most of the costs (registration, travel, lodging & meals) are sponsored by the Oregon 4-H Foundation and Oregon 4-H Youth Development Program.

National 4-H Congress

Every Thanksgiving weekend, 4-H members from all around the country attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. Delegates hear inspirational speakers, participate in workshops, engage in large-scale community service projects, and enjoy many other fun activities. The Oregon 4-H program views the National 4-H Congress as an important opportunity for 4-H members and is committed to providing this experience to as many 4-H members as possible. Because trips to Congress are dependent on donations, a selection process is held each year. Oregon trip winners typically demonstrate a considerable breadth and depth of 4-H experience. State Website

Outreach Leadership Institute

4-H OLI is a program that provides students an opportunity to acquire knowledge about the post-secondary educational system; develop the skills, confidence, and courage needed to get good grades and finish high school; acquire knowledge and skills to apply for post-secondary education and scholarships; and realize the possibility to become a professional and contributing member of society. State Website

4-H High Desert Leadership Retreat

High Desert Leadership Retreat (HDLR) is a great opportunity for youth in 7th-12th grade to spend the weekend learning new skills, building independence, and networking with other teens from all over Oregon. Held over MLK weekend in January, HDLR gives youth a taste of independence as they grocery shop and cook for themselves and their condo-mates throughout the weekend. During the day, youth will participate in a series of self-selected leadership classes, and in the evening there is plenty of time for fun at the rec center and other events! Dates: January 16-19 2026

4-H Summer Conference

Each summer, Oregon State University hosts the State 4-H Summer Conference for youth completing grades 7-12. Conference participants come from all parts of Oregon. Students attend a wide range of exciting classes taught by OSU faculty and other community volunteers. Classes are designed to be informative, interesting, and inspiring. They cover a wide variety of subjects from technology and business to food and dance. While here, youth have the opportunity to explore OSU, learn independence in a safe setting, examine career possibilities, make friends, learn new skills, and have fun. June 2026 Dates TBA

Youth Tractor Safety Certification classes

The Oregon Department of Agriculture requires that farmers and ranchers who employ minors under 18 years of age ensure that those minors have completed and passed tractor safety training. The Youth Tractor Safety Certification course is a 22-hour program that meets the requirements of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Courses are offered in multiple counties in spring and summer for youth ages 14-17 who are interested in summer employment opportunities in the upcoming agricultural season. Both online and hands-on classes are available. 2025 Opportunities - For more information, contact Andrea Leao.

Ignite - National 4-H Conference

For four days, teens from all over the country come to D.C. to collaborate, connect, and cultivate a passion for expanding their minds and their world – becoming resilient and ready for everything life has to offer. Teens will immerse themselves in hands-on workshops, experiences, activities in their key programming areas of AgriScience, Animal Science, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living (featuring soccer), or STEM to continue to find their spark. 2026 Oregon Flyer