Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) engages youth in grades 6-9 in hands-on activities to
- Build leadership skills.
- Form relationships with other youth.
- Learn to work together.
- Make a difference in their communities.
BLU is facilitated by youth leaders from the Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador program and supported by a team of adult chaperones.
Youth will
- Do hands-on activities.
- Take part in team-building experiences.
- Hear from interesting speakers.
BLU workshops take place at several locations across the state in February. Pick one of the following sessions to attend:
Feb. 3-4 at the Castaway Club in Detroit Lakes - CANCELED
Feb. 10-11 at Camp Omega in Waterville
Feb. 17-18 at Camp Friendship in Annandale
Register in 4-H Online. For 4-H Online assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact your local Extension office.
Not in grades 6-9? If you are in grades 10 and up, check out Teens Engaged in Emerging Leadership (TEEL) workshops! TEEL is a leadership workshop for older youth held at the same time and place as BLU.
Get answers to frequently asked questions.
For participants
2024 BLU/TEEL tentative schedule
Basic schedule – times may vary
Saturday
1:30-2 p.m. - Registration
2-2:20 p.m. - Opening session
2:20-2:50 p.m. - First group time and icebreakers
2:20-3:00 p.m. - Chaperone meeting
2:50- 4:15 p.m. - Small group time
4:15-5:15 p.m. - Regional time
5:15-6 p.m. - Service
6-7 p.m. - Evening meal
7-7:30 p.m. - Small group time
7:30- 7:45 p.m. - Break
7:45-9:30 p.m. - Dance/social activities
9:30-10 p.m. - Regional time
10-11 p.m. - Prepare for bed; lights out at 11 p.m.
Sunday
8-8:45 a.m. - Breakfast
8:45 - 8:55 a.m. -Morning activity
8:55 -10:15 a.m. - Small group time
10:15-10:45 a.m. - Pack, cleanup and group/county photos in t-shirts
10:45-11:15 a.m. - Final group meeting and evaluations
11:15 - 11:30 a.m. - Closing session
BLU occurs at winterized camp facilities or environmental learning centers. Sleeping areas are typically large rooms with bunk beds, but may also be cabins in some locations. Participants needing accommodations should contact the event coordinator.
Transportation may be available through your local/county 4-H program. A fee may be associated with this service. Please contact your local 4-H staff to learn more.
If families are providing their own transportation, participants should be dropped off between 1 and 1:25 p.m. on Saturday and can be picked up at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Contact
Meg Clark, state ambassador coordinator, hintz101@umn.edu