The 4-H Junior and Teen Leadership experience is designed to provide members with the opportunity to learn about the qualities and competencies needed to be a leader. Leadership is not doing things for the group, it is helping the group decide what needs to be done and how. Junior Leaders provide assistance while Teen Leaders assume more challenging leadership roles. Junior and Teen Leaders may assist with specific projects or with other 4-H activities or events. A 4-H member may be a Junior or Teen Leader for one or more projects during the year. The major duties of a Junior or Teen Leader are (varies by age, experience, and other factors):

1. Work collaboratively with the adult leader to set goals, develop lesson plans, teach skills, and evaluate the activity.
2. Coordinate logistical details such as meeting times, locations, materials and supplies, and expenses with the adult leader.
3. Communicate with the adult leader and members about group expectations, responsibilities and expected outcomes.

At the beginning of the year, the 4-H member and the adult leader should meet to discuss the project and define each of their roles. The 4-H member should complete pages 1 & 2 of the [Junior and Teen Leadership Development Report] form. At the end of the year, the 4-H member must complete pages 3 & 4 of the form and include the entire form in his/her Record Book to receive credit.

Junior Leaders (Intermediate Members): To become a junior leader, youth must be in grades 6-8, or if home-schooled, must be at least 11 and no more than 13 years old as of December 31 of the program year.

Teen Leaders (Senior Members): To become a teen leader, youth must be in the ninth grade or above, or if home-schooled, must be at least 14 years old as of December 31 of the program year.

This information was retrieved from the California 4-H Record Book Manual 2008