HURON – During the 2016 State Leadership Camp, a six-member Junior Advisory Council was selected by the Youth and Education Council to serve as leaders, role models and representatives in planning and conducting the 2017 State Leadership Camp.
The 2016-2017 Junior Advisory Council  (JAC) members include, above, left to right: AJ Schoenfelder of Parkston; Abbey Tschetter of Huron; Cole Van Gorp of Stickney; Jonah Murtha of Parkston; Shaun Snedeker of Woonsocket; and Madelyn Kline of Huron.
In addition to coordinating, implementing and guiding State Camp, these individuals participate in a number of leadership development opportunities throughout the year.
They are involved in activities such as serving as a page at the Farmers Union State Convention, helping with Farmers Union events across South Dakota and assisting the State Education Director with promotion of education programs.
“SDFU offers a unique learning environment to the JACS. This is a safe way to test leadership skills by the youth creating a camp and agenda and then implementing all the moving parts until the event is completed. Normally, students are given the opportunity to test or present in school but not always to coordinate and plan a four day event. This is truly the campers’ camp, and I am just here to support the vision,” explains Rachel Haigh-Blume, SDFU Education Director.
“State Leadership Camp is developed to provide rural youth with leadership and professional development skills that will help them throughout high school and well into their future. The Junior Advisory Council plays an important role in making this happen.”
Shaun Snedeker of Woonsocket, 17, is the son of Mark and Lisa Snedeker. He attends Woonsocket High School and has been attending Farmers Union camps since he was in kindergarten. It has been a “can’t miss” summer highlight ever since. He keeps returning year after year because of the friends he has made.
“It’s an opportunity to meet and spend time with some of my closest friends,” Snedeker says. “Through Farmers Union Camp you learn how to make the best of everything. It has helped me develop and enhance my public speaking and social skills,” he adds.
Now as a member of the Junior Advisory Council, Snedeker looks forward to being a role model for younger campers. “I have always looked up to the JACs and will work hard to help our team make the 2017 camp fun!”