The Darke County CARTEEN program began in March of 1992. This Ohio 
4- H-coordinated program is a traffic safety education program for first time juvenile traffic offenders.

The CAR in CARTEENS stands for Caring and Responsible Teens. Each two hour session includes some of the following: driving skills, drinking & driving, peer pressure, safe driving tips, defensive driving, seat belt usage and much more. Visual aids, group discussion, videos, current situations, and evaluation tools are all a part of the program.

CARTEENS is a unique collaboration between the Darke County Juvenile Court, Ohio State Highway Patrol - Eaton Post, and the Darke County 4-H Youth Development program.

Teens, ages 15-19, serve as the instructors and program planners along with Diane Barga, CARTEENS advisor. CARTEEN responsibilities include registering participants, delivering pre-written speeches, conducting educational sessions and conducting the program evaluation.

CARTEEN programs are conducted on the second Saturday of each month at the Extension Office, from 9:00am to 11:00am. 

Youth interested in serving as CARTEENS are asked to submit an application to the Extension Office.  Teens must then observe a CARTEENS program in session before becoming an active participant.  Click here for a copy of the application.  All youth, ages 15 and over, are invited to become a CARTEEN.  You do not need to be a current 4-H member to be a CARTEEN.