New Jersey 4-H CWF attendees in front of the Capitol Building.
New Jersey 4-H Members learned about government processes in the vibrant, living classroom of the nation’s capital as part of Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), an intensive 4-H civic engagement program for high-school youth held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The New Jersey 4-H delegation of 20 youth and two adult chaperones attended Week 6 of the conference from July 7-13.
The delegates attending this year’s conference were:
Atlantic County: Victoria Foster
Bergen County: Ashley DeGeorge, Kailey DeGeorge, Kailey Levinson, and Brett Pietrowicz
Burlington County: Corina Grzib and Cody McBride
Cape May County: Elise Heim
Essex County: Shannon Sager
Hunterdon County: Lindsey Davis, Rachel Ewing, Taylor Lengen, Cecelia Ossi, Emma Weniger, and Josie Whitmore
Morris County: Kristin Osika
Salem County: Melissa Straub
Somerset County: Lauren Johnson, Krishna Mody, and Natasha Mody
For the past 60 years, the National 4-H Youth Conference Center has invited 4-H members from across the country to travel to Washington, DC and participate in civic workshops, committees, and field trips before returning home to make positive changes in their own communities. CWF not only strengthens young people’s understanding of the government’s civic process, but it also boosts their leadership skills, communication skills, and overall confidence.
New Jersey 4-H CWF attendees at Mount Vernon.
During CWF, youth get a behind-the-scenes look at the nation’s capital while meeting with Members of Congress to learn more about how their government works. At the end of the program, youth develop action plans to address important issues in their communities.
“CWF is a great opportunity for young people to come together, discuss the problems they see in their communities, and identify solutions to make their communities stronger. The experiences that young people gain during CWF gives them the proper tools and confidence to become successful, articulate leaders in the future.” said Jeannette Rea Keywood, State 4-H Agent, Department of 4-H Youth Development.
4-H Youth Development Program
The 4-H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station-Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. For more information about the New Jersey 4-H Program visit the 4-H website.
