4-H Military Partners Virtual Conference
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Thank you for participating in this year's 4-H Military Partnership Partners Conference. We hope the sessions provide valuable information to support your work with military-connected youth and families.

This page includes resources and information for the 2023 conference presentations.

We love hearing from you and hope you'll share the ways these sessions have impacted you and how you may have used the information. Feel free to share with us at our email address or join our Facebook group for those working with military-families and share your impacts.
Creating a RALLY Mentality
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Shannon McKain, 4-H alumnus
The RALLY mentality supports us as we approach our challenges and as we work with youth to navigate their challenges as well.
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Free to Fail: Unlocking the Secret to Successful Leadership
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Dan Faill 
What if there was a way to successfully fail? Imagine how that could change the perception of "failure" Gain a better understanding of how vulnerability and failure play into the overall concept of what it means to lead successfully. 

Say This, Not That ​

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Emily Golinsky, Bright Moose Training
If you've ever found yourself lost for words in a situation, or worse, you've said something that you realize immediately after fanned the flames, don't worry! You're in very good company.. Having a repertoire of go-to responses that are guaranteed to work in certain situations is a gift you can give yourself right now! 

Connecting you to your best MilLife

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​​Charlene Sanchez, Military Community Support Programs
Working with military-connected youth and families, we often are the connector to additional resources. Learn how Military OneSource helps the military community thrive by connecting service members and families to the resources they need to live their best MilLife: when, where, and how they need it.  

​Community Healthy Living and Food Security Programming

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Laura Goss & Keri Hobbs, University of Georgia/
The Georgia 4-H VISTA AmeriCorps Summer Associates created Georgia 4-H Summer Health Squad to support the local community with food security initiatives. Learn more about the program and how teens were involved.

Generations Working Together

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Shannon McKain, 4-H Alumnus
With up to five generations working side-by-side in many workplaces, it’s imperative for employees and management to understand how different generations think and act on the job, and on the client side. 

When Kids Can't Relax

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Emily Golensky, Bright Moose Training
Over the past several years we have seen a marked increase in participants who are experiencing anxiety symptoms, panic attacks, and related mental health challenges during youth programs. Discover specific strategies  to support youth in your programs who present with anxiety-based needs.   

How to Be More Willing to Fail (WTF)

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Dan Faill
Let's take some time to dig a little deeper into how we can incorporate more failure moments into our lives and organizations. Dn Faill brings the opportunity to discuss opportunities to fail in our programs and helps us identify specific ways to implement the Phases of Failure into our teams and organizations using the Phases of Failure workbook. Think about what is possible when anything is possible and failure is an option for learning, this session brings together ideas from the Wednesday session as well as adding to skills we can use not only with our coworkers and teams but also with our youth as we build their strengths and resilience.

From Our Teens: Town Hall Meetings

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Jason Estep & Lauren Healey,
J.W. Fanning for Leadership Development, The University of Georgia
Last winter military-connected youth helped the adults who work with them to better understand their concerns and struggles while engaging them in civic discourse through our town hall meetings, Lead with Voice.  During the session, Jason and Lauren will share the results from the town halls and have discussions to use the information to promote youth voice in programming  Furthermore, session attendees will learn about hosting similar town hall meetings of their own and be provided with an informational DIY Youth Town Hall Kit.
Voices from Our Programs
Our youth are our strong asset. We can't plan for them, without them and our closing event is an opportunity to hear from and talk with military connected youth from our programs. Hosted as panel discussion, military-connected 4-H'ers will share their experiences and best practices for us to consider as we plan our programs and activities.
What is the 4-H Military Partnership
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National 4-H Council
Hear from members of the 4-H Military Partnership including leaders, youth, and families and learn more about the opportunities.
Creating 4-H Programs Where Military Youth Connect
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Ainsley Carpenter, 4-H Alumna
Sharing her experiences as a 4-H military-connected youth, Ainsley shares ideas to connect with military-connected families. Infused in the presentation are results from the National 4-H Conference and the youth engaged in the military partnership challenge question.

Youth Adult Partnerships

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Maria Bealieu, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay CYP Teen Lead
Harnessing the power of teens is an important element of successful youth programs. Creating an environment where teens and adults work together is even more powerful. Maria shares best practices and strategies for working with youth to create great programs and grow great leaders.
Peaceful Rest for the Restless
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Niki Crawson, University of Florida
There is nothing worse than a sleepless night, tossing and turning, hiding under the covers as the rising sun appears to start the day. It leaves one struggling, snapping at your friend, miserably watching the clock for the day to end, only to find sleep eludes you once again at bedtime. Learn about mindful rest and the various healthy techniques to aid in sleep, such as deep breathing exercises and aromatherapy.

Building Communication Across Generations

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Beverley Cash, North Carolina State University
Programs run across multiple generations from the youth we serve through senior professionals and volunteers. How do you effectively communicate your message across the great divides? Here are some tried and true tips from a professional who juggles multi-generational communication issues.

Thriving Teens & Camp

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Justin Bower, The Ohio State University
It's exciting to have a national youth development model that brings the 4-H system together, like the Thriving Model. Learn how Ohio 4-H led a teen leadership camp for military-connected youth focusing on the Thriving Model and how youth can apply it directly to their life and being a leader.