8:27 a.m., Feb. 13, 2009----University of Delaware 4-H program coordinator Karen Johnston knows that good leaders are made, not born. That's why she's on a mission to foster the next generation of leaders through an innovative 4-H Engaging Youth, Serving Community (EYSC) program she administers at five rural Delaware locations.

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Students in these towns, which range from West Rehoboth in the south to Middletown in the north, identify important cultural, economic, social and environmental issues in their communities. They then choose one topic to research and analyze, culminating in a National Issues Forum that brings together students, teachers, parents and community leaders.

The Kent County town of Felton had a population of 784 as of the last census. But the problems these small-town teens contend with are often the same ones that vex urban and suburban teens, such as Internet safety, notes Doug Crouse, director of Kent County Cooperative Extension.

Last year, 10 4-Hers in Felton organized an Internet Safety Forum that drew more than 150 people to Lake Forest High School. Topics ranged from social networking sites to instant messaging, chat rooms to cyber-bullying.

Based on what was discussed, the teens prepared an action plan and in just three months time had organized an Internet Safety Night. Representatives from the Delaware State Police, the school library and technology businesses presented up-to-the-minute info on staying safe in cyberspace.

“It's not enough to talk about a problem; we help young people develop their leadership and critical thinking skills so that they can formulate creative solutions to community issues,” says Johnston. “And we give them the tools - including small monetary grants - so that they can immediately implement solutions.”

Many of the 4-Hers who organized the Internet Safety Forum were eager to get involved in a second Felton-based forum held last month called “Violent Kids - Can We Change the Trend?”

“These Delaware 4-Hers are learning to change the world, one person at a time,” says Johnston.

For more information about 4-H National Issues Forums, call Johnston at (302) 831-2506.