Citizenship Washington Focus

Gage County
1115 West Scott St.,
Beatrice NE 68310
Phone: (402) 223-1384
FAX: (402) 223-1370

Discovering Washington

A living and learning experience in citizenship ****

Discovering Washington (DW)is a 4-H leadership program for high school youth. Participants in DW have a unique, exciting experience, using the nation's capital as a classroom, that leads to becoming “Better citizens today. Better leaders tomorrow.” DW enriches young people’s lives by providing opportunities for them to:

broaden appreciation and practice respect for themselves and others in their world.
increase individual commitment to citizen involvement.
better understand the structures and functions of government.
better appreciate our national heritage and culture.
understand the importance of civic and social rights and responsibilities as they relate to the development of active, involved citizens and leaders.
practice leadership skills and plan for meaningful involvement with 4-H and community programs when they return home.

Extension staff in Gage, Jefferson and Saline counties work jointly to provide a 10 day trip for 4-H teens, incorporating a five day stay at the National Capital, with another five days of sight-seeing in the Washington, D.C. area. The program incorporates workshops that build lifetime skills for success, motivational speakers that increase individual commitment to citizen involvement, a look behind the scenes in our nations capital, a chance to meet senators and representatives, activities that encourage new and lasting friendships, tours, sight-seeing, fitness and fun.

The DW trip is for 4-H teens, with preference given to 10th grade students and older. 4-H membership is required. The trip is generally conducted in early June, offered every other year. The average trip includes 43 youth and 4 adult sponsors. Approximate cost is $1,300 per youth. Fund raising options are available to offset the cost of the trip.

A typical 10 day agenda includes the flight to Baltimore, Maryland, spending some time at the Inner Harbor area, then busing to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Touring there includes the museum and a historic battlefield bus tour, then departure to the National Capital, for a weeks stay. The Center serves as home base with lodging, meals, workshops, and sight-seeing tours.

Tours in the Washington, D.C. area include the Capital and visits with congressmen, Supreme Court, Library of Congress, Smithsonian Museums, Arlington National Cemetery, Iwo Jima Memorial, Washington National Cathedral, Holocaust Memorial Museum, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, Washington Monument, and Ford's Theatre. The highlight of the entire trip for many is a performance at the Kennedy Center.

Departing from the 4-H Center, the group tours Mt. Vernon, Colonial Williamsburg, Montecello and Ash Lawn. The last two glorious days are spent at Virginia Beach relaxing in the sun, swimming in the ocean, walking the boardwalk, and shopping. The group departs for home loaded down with T-shirts, souvenirs, films to be developed, dirty laundry, and memories for a lifetime.

Interested youth and families should contact the Extension Office, (402) 223-1384, for information about upcoming trips.

to Contact our Staff

Paul C Hay, Extension Educator
Jane Esau,, 4-H Program

Dianne Swanson,, Extension Educator
General Address: gage-county@unl.edu

Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The 4-H Youth Development program abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska and United States Department of Agriculture. We assure reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.