Thirty excited Sussex Junior Leaders spent March 15-17 at the Children’s Beach House in Lewes for Junior Leader Weekend. On Friday evening “Planting the Seed of Leadership,” the group planned Younger Member Weekend, Mrs. Argo announced counselors for Younger Member Weekend, and the teens had a time of fellowship with a bonfire and beach volleyball game, followed by a movie. See photos following this article.
Saturday’s theme was “Spreading Your Roots Through Leadership.” This theme came shining through with the many community service activities that the teens participated in. As a whole, the groups wrote thank you letters to Military families and discussed Family Packs, which are individual games for each military family to play together. Then, one group mulched and weeded the flower beds around the Beach House. They also cleared sand and debris from the boardwalk leading to the beach. The other group washed windows and swept sand and debris from many entryways. Each year, the teens do many community service projects in and around the Children’s Beach House as a thank you to them for letting our group stay at their facility! The afternoon activities were led by Aaron Jackson and Sharon Anderson. These two enthusiastic leaders used interactive and hands on activities to teach the group six new Laws of Leadership. On Saturday evening, the group enjoyed dancing the night away with tunes from Jammin’ Joe Anderson!
“Blooming into Tomorrow’s Leader” was the theme for Sunday. After breakfast and reflections, four high school seniors in attendance, Joe Anderson, Jackie Arpie, Nathan Bradley, and Stephen Mervine, were recognized and shared with the group what 4-H has meant to them. Then Jill Jackson gave the Seniors gifts on behalf of Mrs. Argo, a starfish to help them remember who they have mattered to in their 4-H career and also who has mattered to them. Mrs. Argo also provided beach glass to the entire group of teens as a symbol to show how we can all be a little rough around the edges, but weekend such as this help mold us and make us into something smooth and beautiful. It was a very moving experience for many. The group clean-up of the Children’s Beach House was last and the teens and 4-H adults left spotless and received much praise from the staff!
Junior Leader Weekend provides counselor training and preparation for Sussex County camps. The 2013 Spring into 4-H Leadership Weekend brought out the talents, creativity, leadership, and caring ways of youth! Be sure to look for upcoming Sussex County Camps!
Special thanks to: Chaperones – Bo Waller, Dave Mitchell, Melissa Mitchell, Tiffany Snyder & Jill Jackson. (Chaperones were also cooks for the weekend), Nurse – Sharon Anderson, Laws of Leadership – Sharon Anderson & Aaron Jackson, Planning Committee –Joe Anderson, Colleen Anderson, Holly Anderson, Jackie Arpie, Rebecca Arpie, Maggie Durig, Angela Lagano, Mary Lagano, Emma Rider, Travis Waller, Sharon Anderson, Mary Argo & Jill Jackson, Ice Breakers – Mary Lagano, Jackie Arpie, & Holly Anderson, Reflections – Angela Lagano & Emma Rider. Rejuvination Activity – Maggie Durig & Angela Lagano, Food Shopping – Mary Lagano, Angela Lagano, Jackie Arpie, Rebecca Arpie, Maggie Durig, Emma Rider, and Jill Jackson. Movies – Maggie Durig & The Arpie Family, Bonfire supplies – The James/Allen Family and the Arpie Family, Facility – Children’s Beach House.
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