Growing True Leaders

A gift to 4-H helps a New Hampshire teen step outside her comfort zone

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

a UNH Cooperative Extension 4-H member using a zipline at Candia Springs

Photos by Dave Kellam

Kelsie Pittman, a member of UNH Cooperative Extension's 4-H group, at Candia Springs — Kelsie Pittman with other members of the 4-H Youth Leadership Team at Candia Springs

When Kelsie Pittman joined 4-H at age 8, she did so for her love of animals. “Animals have been my entire life. I’ve always felt most comfortable working with and showing animals,” says Pittman. Animals were a safe, friendly audience. They wouldn’t criticize her if she made a mistake while speaking or didn’t communicate something clearly.

But Pittman, now 17, found that her perspective transformed when she joined the 4-H Youth Leadership Team (YLT) program last year. And all it took was jumping out of a tree. “Taking part in the Youth Leadership Team has pushed me out of that comfort zone. I’ve changed a lot,” she says.

A national youth development organization, 4-H empowers young people through experiential learning programs that promote valuable leadership skills. In New Hampshire, 4-H is organized through UNH Cooperative Extension. More than 20,000 youth across the state participate in 4-H clubs and programs, which offer hands-on experiences in areas ranging from citizenship and healthy living to agriculture and STEM fields.

Leadership development is one of 4-H’s primary aims, and a recent $15,000 gift to New Hampshire 4-H from an anonymous donor has provided new learning opportunities for YLT participants, including a team-building activity day at Candia Springs Adventure Park in Candia and a leadership retreat at Camp Calumet in Freedom.

At Candia Springs, Pittman and her peers walked across treetop suspension bridges and rappelled 40 feet down to the forest floor, all while learning how to conquer fear, trust each other and become leaders. “It was very educational,” Pittman says. “When you’re jumping out of a tree, it’s about learning how to get over fear. It’s something I’ve been able to use in helping with my public speaking skills.”

Your Philanthropy Creates Possibilities

To make a gift to endow a fund or support a program, or if you’re considering a bequest, contact Troy Finn at (603) 862-4940 or troy.finn@unh.edu.

UNH students studying outside Hamilton Smith Hall

Pittman has come a long way in a short time. Where once she might have avoided speaking in public or passed on leading a learning session in her Rockingham County 4-H club, she now rises to those challenges. She’s taking on more responsibilities in her club, such as finding opportunities for youth to work with animals and reaching out to parents and other 4-H’ers. “YLT has taught me how to work with everyone, from younger kids to seasoned 4-H’ers, to teach them how to work together and to make the best better,” she says.

In short, YLT and 4-H have prepared her for a lifetime of leadership.

“I might not have had the chance to learn these things if I was just with my livestock or in school,” she says. And, budding leader that she is, Pittman hopes other New Hampshire youth will follow her example. “I think youth should take the jump. It really opens a lot of doors.”