Posted: September 13, 2023
Penn State Extension sent two Pennsylvania 4-H members — John Bruner, of Indiana County, and Sawere Truax, of Fulton County — as delegates to the National 4-H Shooting Sports Teen Leadership Institute, held recently at the Southern Nevada 4-H Camp and Learning Center in Alamo, Nevada.
John Bruner and Sawere Truax
The institute included three days of team building activities, networking with industry representatives, and sessions on topics such as leadership, communication, public speaking, social media etiquette and developing an ambassador plan.
"One highlight was meeting people from various states and gaining insights into their perspectives on shooting sports, including their training processes and preparations for national competitions," Truax said.
Bruner said he enjoyed meeting teens from across the country who share a passion for shooting sports. "These friendships will last a lifetime," he said.
Those selected as national 4-H shooting sports ambassadors represent more than 470,000 4-H youth. Ambassadors may meet with donors who are CEOs of companies or organizations. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities for youth to build character and develop their leadership skills.
"I learned more about how to be a successful leader through discussions on improving leadership abilities," Truax said. "As 4-H shooting sports ambassadors, we also had the opportunity to speak with a mental health group from California. During our discussions, we shared our experiences on the safe and effective use of firearms in our clubs."
Truax noted that states have different methods for teaching firearm safety; for instance, 4-H members in Ohio use an acronym to remember safety lessons. "In my club, our approach is summed up as 'safety, fun, marksmanship' with safety being our number one priority," she said.
The workshops included team building activities such as ice breakers and a ropes course.
"We spent time honing our communication skills to effectively tell our story about the positive impact shooting sports has made on each of us," Bruner said. "We were able to put these skills into practice during dinner one evening while meeting with a panel of industry professionals."
Bruner described a key moment during the trip: discussing the book "The Student Leadership Challenge," which participants had read beforehand, and engaging in breakout sessions on leadership topics.
The National 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program is designed to empower youth to promote 4-H and shooting sports. Ambassadors receive training to advocate for the program locally and nationally. They enhance visibility by providing public relations support at special functions and serving as program spokespeople.
Bruner noted that the ambassadors will help facilitate the 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska, next year. "Part of our job will be to welcome competitors, help the event run smoothly, serve as emcees for the awards programs, and plan the annual social event where teens can relax and have fun after a competitive week of contests," he said.
As Pennsylvania ambassadors, Truax and Bruner discussed organizing events to assist 4-H members across the state in learning new disciplines and understanding the related safety protocols, with the goal of inspiring them to participate in national competitions.
"I am looking forward to working with Sawere to promote our shooting sports program to current 4-H members, encourage new members to join Pennsylvania 4-H shooting sports, and to help grow our program by recruiting donors and sponsors," Bruner said.
The teen leadership institute offers a venue for 4-H teens to expand their involvement in 4-H shooting sports beyond the shooting skills and competitive events and stay connected with the 4-H shooting sports program as they enter college and adulthood.
Bruner said it was exciting to visit Nevada; the group toured the Hoover Dam, a museum for pinball machines called the Pinball Hall of Fame, and the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign.
The National 4-H Shooting Sports Steering Committee General Fund provided lodging, meals, materials, and transportation for 4-H members during the event.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
