Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU)

To register

Registration opens Nov. 1. Each participant must register via 4-H Online by Jan. 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Registration details

1. Register in 4-H Online.
   • New to Minnesota 4-H? Participants must first be enrolled (no participation commitment is required beyond BLU).
     • Learn more about joining 4-H.
     • Note: New youth enrollments must be approved by Extension staff before the member can register for an event, which may take a day or two.
   • Once logged into 4-H Online, complete the following steps to register:
     • Click on the "Member List."
     • Click on "View" for the member you'd like to register, then click on "Register for a new event."
     • Locate and click on the BLU event you wish to attend. You will then need to complete the registration questions provided.
     • You will also need to select your payment method and click "Finish" to submit your registration.
     • You will receive an email confirmation that your registration has been submitted.
   • For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact Kurtis Hewes at [email protected].  

Cost

• $110 - overnight BLU registration fee
• $65 - one-day BLU registration fee

The fee will help cover the cost of meals, event t-shirts and supplies for participants.

How can I pay?

After you have completed the registration questions in 4-H Online, you will be given two payment options:

• Electronic payment (credit card)
• Pay by check
  • Make a check payable to "University of Minnesota" and submit to:
    ATTN: BLU
    1420 Eckles Ave.,
    Suite 475
    St. Paul, MN 55108

Financial assistance

Several counties have financial assistance available for local youth to access. Please contact your local staff directly for more information. 

Some financial support is available from the state 4-H office. Contact Meg Clark at [email protected] to learn more.

Refund/cancellation policy

All cancellations received two weeks before the event will be eligible for a full refund. After the two-week mark, $20 of each registration fee will be retained to cover costs that are not recoverable. 

Cancellations include individuals who do not attend the day of the event due to illness or other issues. 

All cancellations must be emailed to the event coordinators or [email protected].  

Basic schedule – times may vary

One-Day

• 9:15-9:35 a.m. - Registration
• 9:35-9:45 a.m. - Transition time
• 9:45-10:15 a.m. - Opening session
• 10:15-10:45 a.m. - First small group meeting (chaperone meeting happening simultaneously)
• 10:45-11:30 a.m. - Education session #1 (Ambies)
• 11:30-11:45 a.m. - Transition time
• 11:45 am-12:30 p.m. - Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. - Transition time
• 12:45-1:45 p.m. - Workshop #1
• 2 - 3 p.m. - Workshop #2
• 3 - 3:15 p.m.  - Break
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. - Service
• 4:30-5:15 p.m. - Education session #2 (Ambies)
• 5:15-5:30 p.m. - Break/county pics/handout t-shirts
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. - Evening meal
• 6:30-7 p.m. - Final group meeting/evaluations
• 7-7:15 p.m. - Closing session
   

BLU occurs at winterized camp facilities or environmental learning centers. Sleeping areas are typically large rooms with bunk beds, but may also be cabins in some locations. 

Participants needing accommodations should contact the event coordinator. 

Transportation may be available through your local/county 4-H program. A fee may be associated with this service. Please contact your local 4-H staff to learn more.

If families are providing their own transportation, participants should be dropped off between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday for the overnight BLU and between 9:15-9:35 a.m. for the one-day BLU. Participants can be picked up at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday for the overnight BLU and 7:15 p.m. for the one-day BLU.

Youth leaders

The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassadors work together to plan and facilitate this event. The state ambassadors are youth in grades 11-13 who have been selected to serve a one-year term in planning this and similar events for other youth across the state. 

The state ambassadors teach most of the sessions and will lead small groups of youth participants through activities and discussions during the event.

4-H staff

One or more Minnesota 4-H staff will be onsite to assume overall responsibility for the event. The names and contact information of the 4-H staff will be shared with event attendees prior to the event.

Adult volunteer chaperones

Minnesota 4-H volunteers who are at least 21 years of age are needed to chaperone this event. 

Each county with youth attending is responsible to identify appropriate chaperones who will attend. Interested adult volunteers should complete a chaperone application (the application will be made available closer to the event date), and they will be contacted if they are selected to attend.

Adult volunteer chaperones work to support the program activities and provide a safe environment for attendees. In addition to supporting the youth attendees, chaperones accomplish a variety of tasks at the event, including, but not limited, to taking photos, helping with meal service and distributing supplies.

If you are interested in chaperoning at BLU please check out the chaperone description and apply today.

Cancellations: All cancellations received two weeks before the event will be eligible for a full refund. After the two-week mark, $20 of each registration fee will be retained to cover costs that are not recoverable. Cancellations include individuals who do not attend the day of the event due to illness or other issues. All cancellations must be emailed to the event coordinators or [email protected].

Weather Cancellation Policy: As we know, Minnesota’s winter weather can often provide us with surprises. If the event is canceled due to weather, a $20 program fee will be deducted from the registration fee to cover actual expenses.

Participants will still receive their event t-shirt shortly after the event date.

The health and safety of everyone involved in Minnesota 4-H is our highest priority. 

Follow these health strategies

• If you are sick, stay home.
  • Stay home if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result or have a positive test.
  • If you’ve had a close contact, follow MDH COVID 19: Protect yourself and others guidelines.
• If you get sick when you're at the event and your symptoms may be related to COVID-19 or influenza, you will be isolated and tested. If you have a positive test, parents/guardians will be called to pick you up.
• Wash/sanitize hands often
• Watch your distance
• Mask usage indoors and outdoors is voluntary

If you have any questions regarding the site of your BLU session, you are welcome to reach out to the site contact (contact information will be provided closer to the event date).