Twenty-Eight excited Sussex Junior Leaders spent March 13-15 at the Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes for Junior Leader Weekend.  On Friday evening – “FOCUS,” the teens also planned Younger Member Weekend, Mrs. Jackson announced counselors for Younger Member Weekend, and the teens had a time of fellowship with a bonfire and volleyball game, followed by a movie.

Saturday’s theme was “ZOOM IN”. The morning activities included a rejuvenation activity, CPR Training provided by Mike Love, community service and kindness activities.  Many teens wrote thank you notes to be given to the residents of the Delaware Veterans Center and also designed a Superhero card for a local boy in need of a heart transplant.  The group also discussed random acts of kindness and received motivational quotes to reflect on.  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 Laws of Teamwork, ironically including the “Law of the Big Picture”  The Laws of Teamwork play off of the 21 Laws of Leadership that the teens have learned over the past four years.  The group has enjoyed learning and implementing these laws.  On Saturday evening, the teens danced the night away with tunes from Jammin’ Joe Anderson!

“Developing the BIG Picture” was the theme for Sunday.  After breakfast and reflections, four high school seniors in attendance, Holly Anderson, Michael Hopkins, Amanda Kucharzyk and Emma Rider, were recognized for their time in Sussex County 4-H and shared with the group what 4-H has meant to them.   The teens then participated in a fun morning energizer activity.  The group clean-up of the facility concluded our stay.

Junior Leader Weekend provides counselor training and preparation for Sussex County camps.  The 2015 BIG Picture:  4-H Teamwork Weekend brought out the talents, creativity, leadership, and random acts of kindness of our youth!  Be sure to look for upcoming Sussex County Camps!

Special thanks to:  Chaperones – Melissa Mitchell, Dave Mitchell, Bo Waller, Ernie Lopez, & Jill Jackson (Chaperones were also cooks for the weekend), Nurse – Sharon Anderson,  Laws of Leadership – Aaron Jackson & Sharon Anderson, Planning Committee – Colleen Anderson, Holly Anderson, Rebecca Arpie, Shannon Bradley, Gary Brown, Meredith Carey, Shawn Mitchell, Emma Rider,  Kimberlyn Scott, Sharon Anderson & Jill Jackson, Ice Breakers – Holly Anderson, Emma Rider & Kimberlyn Scott, Reflections – Colleen Anderson & Shannon Bradley, Rejuvenation Activities – Colleen Anderson, Rebecca Arpie, Shannon Bradley & Gary Brown, Movies –Andersons & Paige Vincent, Bonfire supplies – The Mitchell Family, Facility – Cape Henlopen State Park