You can be part of something good . . .
by joining the Bergen/Passaic Counties 4-H Teen Council.
What we do
This year, Bergen County 4-H teens helped to create and launch the first annual North Jersey Teen Conference. It was attended by 4-H teens from many of New Jersey's northern counties. A joint teen and adult staff committee planned the conference, and all workshops presented during the April weekend retreat were developed and run by teens. One of the most popular workshops, on the subject of racial justice and environmental sensitivity, was developed by our own Teen Council President, Ivan Wei, who was also a member of the NJTC planning committee. Other committee members from Bergen County were Laura and Andrea.
The Bergen/Passaic Teen Council sponsors a couple of chaperoned camp-style outings each year. We assist at the family parties held for the entire county membership, and man the 4-H tent and games at County Fair. Bergen and Passaic 4-H selected the Passaic County Fair at Garrett Mountain for our fair venue this summer.
We also serve our community in a variety of ways. In 2007 we donated food items to Bergen County's end of year dinner for homeless individuals. At the Bergen/Passaic Food Fair last year a special Teen Council committee raised consciousness about the plight of the Jena 6 kids in Louisiana, who became victims of ethnic prejudice. This past spring we performed a highway cleanup and by doing it TC members earned county funds to put towards Teen Conference tuition.
What is the national 4-H program?
4-H is a national youth leadership program sponsored by the federal government with county chapters throughout the US. 4-H began as a program designed to teach modern farming techniques to rural youths, and that component still exists. But, today, 4-H programs exist in cities and suburban areas too and 4-H isn't all about just farming any more.
4-H members learn effective public speaking skills from expert coaches and get involved in community service projects. College admissions officers look very favorably on applications from 4-H kids because they know our members are dedicated to helping their communities and to doing things right.
4-Hers learn how to run a meeting by official Robert's rules and can participate in annual 4-H public speaking presentation events. 4-H teens have the opportunity to attend CWF, which is a week long summer trip to Washington, DC, where they stay at the national 4-H center and tour the capitol to learn about the judicial process, meet politicians and visit legislative buildings.
Who can be a TC member? How do I get involved?
Teen Council meets once a month. Our next meeting date and location are shown in the orange box in the sidebar to the right. Please join us if you can! We will do everything possible to arrange a ride to the meeting for you if you need one.
- You are eligible for membership in Teen Council if you are a teen in 8th-13th grade (through first year of college), and are at least 13 years old.
- You are welcome to visit our meetings before you decide to join. You'll have the chance to get to know our members and see how meetings are managed.
- Teen Council members are expected to come to monthly meetings and to participate in community service activities and family night events (held about 4 times a year). Participation isn't obligatory in a strict sense, but the more members participate the stronger Teen Council becomes through shared collaboration and the team spirit of providing service to our community.
- Teen Council members who wish to run for office need to meet attendance requirements in order to be eligible to run.
- If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Bergen or Passaic County 4-H offices (contact info in the yellow box to the right).
- You're also welcome to send an email to Ivan, the Teen Council president, who will be delighted to answer questions and chat about Teen Council.
It's easy to become a Teen Council member!
- Download the 4-H Club Membership registration form (or phone the office and ask for one to be snail-mailed to you).
- Fill out the one-page form. Write in Teen Council as the name of your club.
- Sign it, and ask your parents to sign too.
- Bring the form with you to the next Teen Council meeting you attend or mail it to the Bergen County 4-H Office.
- That's all you need to do. You'll be a member as soon as the form is received!