Some teens spent the first Saturday in September making new friends while learning the basics of teamwork in problem solving at the first event of the nine-month Junior Leadership Manatee course.
When they finish, the 34 juniors from the county's public and private high schools will have extensive, first-hand knowledge of how their community works.
The Class of 2008-09 spent the first day outdoors under tall pines and shady oaks at the Day Spring Episcopal Conference Center in Parrish. Break-out groups of 10 or 12 tackled group problem solving exercises with good humor, despite temperatures in the high 80s.
According to Samantha Kennedy, one of the volunteer facilitators and an employee at the Manatee County Extension Service, the activities gave the teens a chance to have fun while getting acquainted with each other.
"You can't win any of these games on your own," said Kennedy. Like other facilitators volunteering in the program, she completed the Leadership Manatee class last year, a similar course for adults offered by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. After the course, they become facilitators for the following year.
One exercise started with 12 students standing in a circle holding hands. Next, they had to release one hand and reach out to grasp the hand of the person standing opposite. The resulting tangle required many minutes to unscramble - by stepping over and under arms - without letting go of hands. After lots of discussions and suggestions by different people, they were standing in a circle again.
Sarah Arscott, 17, and a junior at Manatee High School said, "I learned: 'Don't give up. There is a solution to everything by always talking to each other and communicating.' "
"Perseverance is a good lesson. Our youths sometimes have a solution that is simple and obvious," said Bobbie Larson, the executive director of Red Cross of Manatee and PR Committee Chair for Junior Leadership Manatee.
According to Larson, after this group completes the lineup of activities and six field trips to area government offices, businesses, museums, educational facilities, agricultural and historic sites they will learn how industries, organizations and agencies work together.
This knowledge is designed to encourage them to stay and work in Manatee County when they have finished school.
"There are a lot of people in our community who have the best interests of our county at heart. So many people give of themselves, personally and financially, to help others," said volunteer facilitator Dan Wolfson, a member of the Leadership Manatee Alumni Association who assisted on Saturday.
Junior Leadership can lead to future career opportunities that are available in the county. The program is funded by individuals and community organizations, including the Leadership Manatee Alumni Association.
Larson observed a change in the demographics of people volunteering their time. The largest group (and those donating the largest percentage of their salary) has changed from older people to those in the 23 to 33 age group.
About 50 percent of participants have a parent who also took Leadership Manatee, the adult version of the course offered through the Chamber of Commerce.
"My dad took the course several years ago and encouraged me to do it. He thought I'd meet some new friends. I also got to know some girls from Saint Stephens better who belong to my service club," said Nicole Winder, 16, who serves on the junior student council and junior class board at Manatee High School.
All high school students are eligible to apply for the course during their sophomore year. Qualifications include participation in school activities - band, sports, school clubs - or community service while maintaining a 2.5 point grade average. They also must complete two essays on the community's most significant problems and offer solutions to solving them.
"The two most pressing issues this year, as they see them, were gangs and teen pregnancy, said Larson.
The teens talked about their favorites among the field trips. The law enforcement's K-9 Unit topped the list, followed by the Culture and Recreation destinations.
"I'm excited about the Culture and Recreation trip. I knew people who took it last year," said Ellie Ohlman, 16, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School. "We have breakfast with Snooty at the South Florida Museum and visit the float of the De Soto Crew." Some Manatee teens are discovering you're never too young to learn to lead
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