I recently had the privilege of chaperoning 16 youth from Clay, Fillmore, Adams, and Saline Counties on the Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) trip. This impactful leadership experience is designed to help youth develop citizenship skills through hands-on learning in our nation’s capital. Throughout the week, participants:
- Strengthen leadership, communication, and civic engagement skills to advocate on a national level.
- Deepen their understanding of civic responsibility and its role in shaping effective citizens and leaders.
- Exchange ideas, practice respect, and build connections with 4-H youth from across the country.
- Explore U.S. history through meaningful experiences in Washington, D.C.
- Create a “Lead to Change” action plan to make a positive difference in their local communities.
While at CWF, youth engaged in dynamic workshops that built their knowledge of government and equipped them to be informed, active citizens. They explored what it means to be a leader and developed personalized plans to bring about positive change in their communities using the skills they gained.
The Nebraska delegation also enjoyed enriching tours of national landmarks and historical sites. Highlights included a visit to New York City to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Museum. The group toured Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where they learned about a Medal of Honor recipient buried in Dorchester Cemetery in Saline County. On the way to Washington, D.C., youth visited Mount Vernon, the historic home of George Washington.
In Washington, D.C., participants visited numerous monuments and memorials, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, FDR Memorial, and Thomas Jefferson Memorial. They observed the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery and toured the Holocaust Museum and Smithsonian museums.
Leadership development continued through a series of engaging workshops focused on citizenship pillars, active listening, civil discourse, media literacy, understanding government operations, and advocacy. Youth also participated in a powerful First Amendment activity and met with congressional representatives and senators, including Representative Adrian Smith. He commended the students for their involvement and emphasized how fortunate they are to have this opportunity to explore our nation’s capital.
The 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus program empowers youth to grow as leaders and communicators through the lens of history, democracy, and the U.S. Constitution. A 2021 Tufts University longitudinal study on Positive Youth Development found that 4-H youth are:
- Twice as likely as their peers to aspire to leadership roles.
- Twice as likely to live with intentionality and purpose.
- Three times more likely to be actively involved in community service.
Programs like CWF make a lasting impact on young people, equipping them to become thoughtful, engaged citizens who lead with purpose.
Views from VanDeWalle 