In June, Dawson County Senior 4-H members Madison Adams and Autumn Callahan attended the Georgia 4-H State Council Conference. The annual meeting held at Rock Eagle 4-H Center near Eatonton gathers members from across the state to learn about topics of interest for teens, participate in the Iron Clover competition and elect the Georgia 4-H Board of Directors.

"State Council is a great time for high school members," Ian Cowie, county 4-H agent said. "It brings the best 4-H members together to learn, to share and to have fun."

Delegates participated in learning sessions with such topics as the impact of social media, dangers of texting and driving and what effective teamwork involves.

"4-H's mission is to help young people acquire life skills that enable them to become contributing citizens," Cowie said. "Former 4-H Director Harold Darden spoke to the 700 plus delegates about their responsibilities becoming young men and women in our democracy."

Darden was instrumental in developing many of the leadership programs available to today's 4-H members, including the camp counselor program and 4-H citizenship programs.

The conference had time for fun. One afternoon delegates from the four state districts competed for the Iron Clover in such contests as canoeing races, swimming relays and Wii games. Delegates also saw Clovers and Company perform and attended two under-the-stars dances.

Adams and Callahan are active in the 4-H program.

Adams recently competed in the 4-H Teen Leader Certification Training; her 4-H project is Health.

Callahan traveled to Puerto Rico with 4-H to learn about the environmental challenges there and at home.

If you would like to know more about the 4-H program, contact the Dawson County Extension Service at (706) 265-2442.