During the 4-H Conference, one working group brainstormed ideas on how to better reach teens through social media.[/caption]
The National 4-H Conference is the premier 4-H civic engagement experience for youth across the country. La conferencia brinda a los miembros de 4-H la oportunidad de incrementar el conocimiento, los recursos y las habilidades que los empoderarán para generar un impacto genuino y significativo en la comunidad.
In early April, more than 200 teens from across the country as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, met in Washington, DC for the National 4-H Conference. Como parte del evento, los adolescentes formaron equipos para trabajar en proyectos relacionados con asuntos importantes que afectan a los jóvenes, entre ellos, el acoso escolar.
Como el tema del acoso escolar generó mucho interés el año pasado, para la conferencia de este año se crearon dos grupos de trabajo para la prevención del acoso escolar. The working groups were tasked with addressing two areas:
- Evaluating a Training Module for Teens
- Reaching Teens through Social Media and Tumblr
Each group spent several days developing their perspectives on these two topics. Towards the end of the conference, the youth provided a briefing presentation for HHS leaders working on bullying prevention.
The Training Module team provided feedback on the Bullying Prevention Training Module - PDF and how it could be effectively used to teach teens. The group found that the materials could potentially be adapted into an anti-bullying event which would serve to raise awareness and launch additional, longer-term initiatives.
"It took a lot of hard work and dedication, but the group overcame their struggles and worked together beautifully as a team," said Jennifer Gibson, the module group facilitator. "I am very proud of the things that they accomplished and I am confident that this conference had a positive impact on each and every one of them."
The Social Media/Tumblr team worked diligently to not only think of creative ideas for StopBullying.gov’s new Tumblr page and provide feedback on content, but actually create the pieces they had envisioned. El material incluyó versiones ingeniosas de memes populares, además de imágenes reflexivas para recordarles a los adolescentes que todos merecen ser amados.
En un hermoso momento en el que todos usaron sus propias habilidades y recursos al máximo, el equipo trabajó en conjunto y verdaderamente maravilló a los Socios Federales, declaró Logan Oates, facilitador del equipo dedicado a las redes sociales. Esta fue una experiencia que estos jóvenes no olvidarán fácilmente.
Their interest in the topic won’t stop after the conference ends, many delegates plan to stay engaged and involved in their communities—and online.
Visit our Tumblr page to see more photos from this event.