Junior High Academic Conference. Grades 6th-8th:
Registration closed for 2023, dates for 2024 TBD.
Held June 13-16, 2023 on the UTK campus in Knoxville. Junior High students in grades 6th-8th stay on the UT Knoxville campus and work with professors and scientists in a project area in which they are interested. See the Academic Conference brochure for information. Applications are due to the Extension Office by March 31, 2023. Cost is $100, to be paid after youth are accepted into the program. To apply for 4-H Junior High Academic Conference, 4-H members need to complete a Section A Main Project form (F305A) that relates to one of the projects offered at Academic Conference. The Section A Main Project form (F305A) is located on the state 4-H website at https://4h.tennessee.edu/portfolios/
4-H CONGRESS. Grades 9th-10th:
In 2023 the 76th year of 4-H Congress was celebrated. Meigs County 4-H youth Taylor Brack and Taci Truelove attended. Taci took on the role of a senator and Taylor was a representative. They learned about state government, leadership and citizenship during this premier event. This event is open to 9th and 10th grade youth.
Youth Testimonies:
“While at 4-H Congress I learned about the voting process, how to argue senate bills, about the state capitol, and how senators do their job. It is important to understand how our government works and participating in 4-H Congress was a great way to learn that. It was a very good experience. Students should attend 4-H Congress because it gives hands-on learning experiences in a fun way.”
“The main thing I would say to someone attending Congress is to not get caught up in the details of the trip. The trip is, of course, a great opportunity for us to learn about our governing body; however, the friendships with new people throughout Tennessee and connections with our Tennessee community made during the trip are of higher value than just the knowledge about the government and Tennessee trivia. This is best highlighted through the juxtaposition of visiting the Tennessee House of Representatives and visiting the General Jackson – each clearly delineating different experiences, both indispensable.”
Dates for Tennessee 4-H Congress in 2024 are TBD. If you are interested in attending 4-H Congress in 2024, feel free to contact our office at (423)-334-5781 or email Ms. Kyra at kyrepett@tennessee.edu.
Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference (SRTLC)
The SRTLC is a conference for teens ages 14-18 in the southern region interested in learning leadership and citizenship skills.
Please contact the Extension office (423)-334-5781 for additional details, dates, and information if you are interested in attending or presenting a workshop or roundtable at the SRTLC.