EXTENSION REPORT

One of our Baldwin County 4-H members, Lisa Darrough, was selected to attend Citizenship Washington Focus.  She and 27 Alabama 4-H’ers and five adult leaders participated in Citizenship Washington Focus at the National Youth Development Center in Maryland.

Conducted by the National 4-H Council, Citizenship Washington Focus is a 4-H citizenship-leadership program for youth ages 14 to 19.  Every summer thousands of  4-H’ers from across the nation participate in the week-long study tour to learn what they can do in their communities to become better citizens today and better leaders tomorrow.

I asked Lisa what was one of the highlights of the trip.  She stated, “Getting to know

4-H’ers from around the state.  When I asked Lisa about what she learned on this tour, she described her experiences in a mock congressional session and the responsibilities of committees. She informed me that she has a better understanding of the process involved in getting a bill passed, as well as the jobs of our senators and representatives.  Lisa said it was a neat experience to meet 4-H’ers from all over the country that have similar interests.

While in Washington, the Alabama delegation got a look behind the scenes of Congress and a chance to meet senators and representatives.  They heard motivational speakers, attended workshops and assemblies that included individual commitment to citizen involvement and building lifetime skills for success.  A fully packed schedule included cultural, fitness and social activities throughout the week.  In addition, the Alabama group toured historical sights such as Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian Institute, the White House, Mount Vernon, and the Lincoln, Washington, Vietnam, Korean and World War II memorials.

This trip was sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation.

Email address:swingard@aces.edu
Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.