4-H Leadership Opportunities

Citizenship Washington Focus

In 2026, CWF will will transition into a track as part of Ignite 2026 – the premier experience for teens to discover their sparks!

The 2026 CWF will be March 24-29.

Youth interested in attending should contact their county Extension office by August 29, 2025.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a six-day intensive summer citizenship program for youth ages 15-19 (at the time of the trip). If you attend CWF, you can expect to get a behind-the-scenes look at our nation's capital, become involved in activities that stress the importance of civic and social responsibility, and experience hands-on learning in our nation's capital. For more information, visit https://4-h.org/parents/citizenship-washington-focus/.

Extension Youth Conference

EYC 2026 is June 22 - June 25 at NDSU in Fargo, ND.

Early-bird cost is $365/person from Thanksgiving through the end of December. Rates will go up $10 per month until June 1, when all payments are due and registration closes.

Extension Youth Conference (EYC) has a mission to energize and empower North Dakota youth with the tools necessary to form partnerships among youth, volunteers, Extension staff and communities. Attendees will explore leadership skills, exchange ideas and form friendships with youth from diverse backgrounds, and gain exposure to the North Dakota 4-H Ambassador program. EYC is open to all youth who have finished the seventh grade and you do not need to be in 4-H to attend!

Register

Have questions for our North Dakota 4-H Ambassadors? Email us at ndsu.4hambassadors@ndsu.edu

National 4-H Conference

National 4‑H Conference is a week-long program for youth ages 15-19 held in Washington, DC. It is the pinnacle experience in 4‑H Civic Engagement, providing the opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities, their nation and their world. For more information, visit https://4-h.org/parents/national-4-h-conference/.

National 4-H Congress

National 4-H Congress is a 5-day conference for youth ages 15-19 that takes places in Atlanta, GA. Delegates will meet other 4-H members from around the country and share ideas, participate in workshops designed to develop leadership skills, experience service learning with hands-on projects, and have opportunities to tour Atlanta. For more information, visit http://national4-hcongress.com/.

Leadership Awareness Weekend

Leadership Awareness Weekend (LAW) seeks to empower youth leadership and civic engagement by helping youth increase their understanding of local and state government and encouraging youth to actively engage in their communities. All youth in grades 7 to 12 are encouraged to attend.

Save the Date: LAW is April 10-11, 2026 at UND!

North Dakota 4-H Ambassador

North Dakota 4-H Ambassador program is a leadership program for youth ages 16-22. Ambassadors grow leadership skills, assist in planning statewide 4-H events such as 4-H Extension Youth Conference and retreats, promote 4-H across the state, help at the North Dakota State Fair, help at state or county 4-H events and improve the 4-H youth program through promoting leadership.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a ND 4-H Ambassador? Then we encourage you to apply. Applications and election events are held twice a year. The application will be judged by a panel of judges as well as your performance during a formal and informal interview, formal speech, and problem-solving and team-building events.

Elections – Held at the Extension Youth Conference at NDSU June 22-June 25, 2026. You must attend the entire youth conference.
Applications are due by May 15 in the ND 4-H Center for Youth Development office.

Selections – Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the ND 4-H Camp in Washburn, ND. You must attend all of the events during that day.
Applications are due October 15 in the ND 4-H Center for Youth Development office.

See details on the application in the Ambassador Resources Link below.