UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Pennsylvania 4-H will host volunteer leaders from more than 13 states at the Northeast States Leader Forum, Oct. 14-17 at the Lancaster Host Conference Center in Lancaster.

The forum will help volunteers to improve leadership skills, develop renewed enthusiasm and support for 4-H volunteer service, discover new ideas for local and county programs and develop social connections with volunteers from other counties. Volunteers give time and money to sustain programs for thousands of 4-H members -- approximately 107,000 in Pennsylvania alone. They share specific skills and expertise and provide a positive adult role model and strong adult-youth relationships.

The forum sessions will address needs of today's youth. Specific seminars will include topics such as foods, horses, livestock, diversity and unique crafts. Forum attendees also can participate in tours to Philadelphia or Gettysburg.

Registrations will be accepted until Aug. 31. For registration fees and other information, contact Pennsylvania 4-H by phone at 814-865-8301 or toll-free at 877-778-2937, or by e-mail at shortcourse@psu.edu.

As a youth development education program of Penn State Cooperative Extension, Pennsylvania 4-H provides nonformal educational programs for youth between the ages of 8 and 19 that range from crafts and animal husbandry to computers and rocketry. As part of the National 4-H Council, the organization has been helping young people become self-directed, productive and contributing members of a diverse society for more than 100 years.

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EDITORS: Contact Robert Lewis at 814-865-6551 or rbl3@psu.edu (e-mail).

Writer/Editor: Gary Abdullah Office 814-863-2708 FAX 814-863-9877