Denise E. Frebertshauser

    Maryland
    2025
    Deceased

    Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, Environmental Sciences and Outdoor Education

    Carroll County, MD

    Denise Frebertshauser’s 4-H journey began as a youth in Carroll County, where she developed a passion for leadership, camping, and poultry. She served as a teen counselor and youth director at Carroll County 4-H Resident Camp and helped establish the Carroll County 4-H Teen Council. After graduating from the University of Maryland, Denise began her professional career with University of Maryland Extension in 1992.

    She revitalized Carroll County’s 4-H programs, expanding residential camping, youth leadership initiatives, and creating day camps and shooting sports programs that impacted over 4,500 youth and adults. In 2007, Denise became the Maryland 4-H Youth Development Specialist for Environmental Science and Outdoor Education, where she developed state-wide programs in these areas, along with robotics. She was instrumental in securing $1.9 million in grants for 4-H programs and trained over 1,500 volunteers. Denise mentored 20+ future 4-H educators and fostered youth leadership by involving them in camp boards and decision-making groups. Her leadership was instrumental in Maryland 4-H’s participation in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2012, engaging over 500,000 visitors.

    Denise’s work earned her numerous accolades, including the NAE4-HYDP Excellence in Diversity Award and the President’s Award for outstanding service to the American Camping Association. Her legacy continues to shape Maryland 4-H and inspire future generations of youth leaders and educators, leaving an indelible mark on the 4-H program she loved.

    Quote

    “Sometimes leadership is planting trees under whose shade you’ll never sit. It may not happen fully till after I’m gone.”
    Jennifer Granholm

    My 4-H Story

    Denise Frebertshauser’s career and life were shaped by her deep connection to 4-H. For Denise, 4-H was never just about programs or activities, it was about transforming lives. She believed in the power of the outdoors to shape youth, where they could grow and develop in ways that extended beyond skills and knowledge. Her mantra, “Get a child outside,” was a guiding principle in her work, creating opportunities for youth to connect with nature, gain confidence, and become compassionate leaders. Through her career with Extension, Denise saw firsthand how 4-H empowers young people to take on leadership roles, solve problems, and build lasting friendships. Camp, in particular, became a place for young people to discover who they could be, beyond the pressures they often face. It was a space where youth developed not only life skills but also resilience, empathy, and a sense of community.

    Denise’s legacy lives on through the countless youth who, under her guidance, learned to navigate challenges, step up as leaders, and make a positive impact on their communities. Her dedication to creating inclusive spaces where all youth could thrive continues to resonate within the 4-H program. Denise’s work has inspired a new generation of leaders who embody the values of service, leadership, and responsibility she instilled in them. 4-H was, for Denise, more than a career—it was a way to make the best better. Through her mentorship and dedication, she touched lives in ways that will continue to echo for years to come.