The Power of Experiential Learning
Douglas County 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus
Nickie H., 4-H Youth Development Agent
For 18 Douglas County 4-H youth, Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) was an 18-month experience that brought learning, leadership, friendship, fundraising, and discovery together in a meaningful way. Throughout the experience, youth explored how local, county, state, and federal governments operate, developed a deeper understanding of citizenship, and collaborated to make their trip to our nation’s capital possible. What began with learning about government close to home allowed youth the opportunity to experience it firsthand in Washington, D.C. Along the way, they discovered that CWF was about much more than visiting our nation’s capital. It was about building confidence, discovering new possibilities, and recognizing their own potential as citizens, leaders, and future professionals.
Halfway through our traditional CWF experience, unforeseen changes required us
to rethink our plans. Rather than allowing those changes to define the experience, we quickly pivoted and created a unique opportunity for young people to experience Washington, D.C., through several different lenses. The result was an unforgettable week filled with history, government, culture, career exploration, and hands-on learning.
While in Washington, D.C., our 4-H’ers visited some of our nation’s most significant institutions and landmarks. They explored the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. They also had the opportunity to tour the National 4-H Council headquarters, giving them a firsthand look at the national organization behind the 4-H program they know and participate in at home. Each stop provided opportunities to connect what they had learned at home with real places, people, events, and ideas.
Youth also toured the U.S. Capitol and learned more about legislative offices, the people who work in them, and how those offices function. They visited the Supreme Court, the National Archives, the Department of Justice, the FBI Headquarters, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, gaining a firsthand look at the many systems, institutions, and people that help our government operate.
The experience extended beyond government buildings. Youth visited Arlington National Cemetery, the Japanese Embassy, Chinatown, and several national monuments and memorials. They also experienced local favorites such as Ben’s Chili Bowl and The Wharf, allowing them to experience Washington not only as the center of our federal government, but also as a vibrant community with its own history, culture, and traditions.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was watching youth make connections between what they had learned over the previous 18 months and what they were experiencing in Washington. They began to see how government decisions affect communities, how the legislative process works, and the many career pathways connected to government, history, law, public service, communications, and more. For some participants, the experience opened their eyes to career possibilities they had never considered before.
As the 4-H agent who coordinates and leads this program, I truly enjoy every part of the CWF experience. From coordinating and teaching to mentoring youth and watching them grow. It is incredibly rewarding to see young people become more confident, curious, and engaged citizens and then watch those lessons come to life during their time in Washington, D.C.
An experience of this magnitude is truly a community effort. I could not provide this opportunity to our youth without the tremendous support of our parents and guardians, volunteers, chaperones, and Douglas County Extension. We are equally grateful for the financial donors and community partners who believe in the power of investing in young people. Their generosity provides the resources that make CWF possible and ensures that Douglas County 4-H youth have access to experiences that expand their knowledge, broaden their perspectives, and inspire them to consider possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves.
This CWF experience reminded us that some of the most powerful learning opportunities arise when plans change, and we are willing to see the unexpected as an opportunity. We are incredibly proud of these 18 young people and all they accomplished throughout their CWF experience. We look forward to welcoming a new Douglas County CWF delegation and continuing this once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity for the next generation of 4-H citizens and leaders.