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Are you or do you know a college aged student who is looking for plans for next summer? How about an opportunity to live and work in Washington, D.C. with housing and meals paid for? Who could pass up that opportunity? Hundreds of college aged students and new grads have become Program Assistants at the National 4‑H Conference Center and touched the lives of thousands of high school and middle school 4‑H’ers. Program Assistants for the Citizenship Washington Focus and Leadership Washington Focus Programs fill a job position that is unlike any other, but also get a chance to develop skills that will be used throughout the rest of their lives.

Why is being a CWF/LWF Program Assistant (PA) such a unique experience? Well, PA’s go through the training and process to become licensed Washington, D.C. tour guides. They work with chaperones and bus drivers to make sure that their delegates have the best week possible and see as much as they can of Washington, D.C. They help delegates step outside of their own comfort zones and meet new people, creating bonds that last well beyond their week at CWF or LWF. Since they have been a part of the National 4‑H Conference Center for over 50 years, who better to tell about their experiences than the Program Assistants themselves. Being a PA comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards:

Challenge: Living and working in the same environment for an entire summer.

Reward: Growing a fondness for where you live and becoming appreciative of how close you get to everything, including your co-workers.Challenge: Keeping patience in situations that make your job difficult.

Reward: Having the delegates thank you at the end of the week and write a kind thank you to you for all of your knowledge and giving them something to work toward as they return home.

As they teach, the PA’s often realize they too learn along the way:

“As much as I hope the delegates take out of their experience, as a PA you take even more from the relationships and life lessons that they teach you. I picked up a southern accent from Alabama, basketball skills from Iowa, an appreciation for bus rides from South Dakota, selfies from Nebraska, Hoosier hospitality from Indiana, hip-hop from Louisiana, and the importance of snacking from Virginia. And while those are all fun examples, I learned so much more from my one-on-one interactions with delegates. There are so many names and faces that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

At the end of each week I shared the quote with my delegations that you are the sum total of all of the people that you have ever met, and I think that sums up my PA experience well. I’ve learned a lot in school, but nothing has taught me more about myself than spending a summer with eight of the best friends you could ask for and 1,500 of the best 4‑H’ers this country has to offer, and THAT is why you should become a PA.” – Andrew Powell, 2014 CWF PA

The life skills, professional skills, and customer service skills that PA’s gain from this job are invaluable, no matter what career field you are entering. There have been lawyers, nurses, teachers, 4‑H agents, high ups at major Agricultural organizations, tech companies, and politicians that have made the 4‑H Center home for a few months. The worry of getting a tour guide license, helping a bus driver navigate D.C. traffic, taking 50 4‑H’ers on the metro, seeing the President speak at Arlington on Memorial Day, telling cheesy jokes, or seeing how many people you can get to believe that the Washington Monument really does get lowered into the ground when a plane flies over are just some of the many stories that PA alumni from 5, 15, and 40 years ago continue to share. But the number one story we hear from youth that attended one of our programs is that their PA brought the city to life, made learning fun and created a life changing experience for them.

Interested in joining the more than 50-year-old legacy? Apply here or share this opportunity with college students or recent grads you know.

Hello! This summer I had the absolute pleasure of attending Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF), where I stayed at the National 4‑H Conference Center. During my time here at CWF, I traveled with my delegation into the heart of Washington, D.C. to view the glorious monuments and memorials. Among these monuments and memorials were the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial, and many more.

How did we get to downtown D.C.? There is quite a bit of walking during this week, but I can promise you we never had to walk to get from the 4‑H center to our destinations. For the most part during the week we rode on buses with the most polite bus drivers you could possibly imagine. However, sometimes on Fridays, delegation day, we didn’t use the bus as our form of transportation. Instead we ventured into the mysterious underground tunnels below the bustling city of Washington, D.C.; formally known as the Metro System.

If you are like me and you are coming from an area where public transportation is limited, then you are in for a treat. Washington, D.C. is full of something new and exciting around every corner, but below the ground is something like nothing else that could be found in the city above.

First, to descend into the underground of D.C., you’ve got to hop onto the escalator or trot down the stairs until you reach the bottom. Then, you will come upon these mysterious machines whose magical powers are to confuse and frustrate the riders of the Metro. These machines are where you can purchase a metro card and put an allotted amount of money on the card. The most important thing to remember when working with these machines on the metro is this; do NOT get frustrated by these contraptions. In fact, be pumped that you get this new experience to purchase a card that will give you complete access into the underground world of Washington, D.C.

Once you have purchased your metro card, take the time to read what train line you need to be on. There are six different colored train lines, all of them traveling to unique places throughout the city. If you have ever seen Harry Potter, then you must know that the metro is our version of Platform 9 ¾. The metro is today’s version of the Hogwarts express, because like the train that travels to Hogwarts, the metro also travels to some pretty magical places. So take it all in while you experience it and don’t just take it at face value. The metro is so much more than a grungy train underground. The metro is full of interesting people, exciting places, and a chance to make some memories while you’re here visiting Washington, D.C.

Written by: Karlie Wade, CWF PA 2016

Citizenship Washington Focus is a week-long citizenship and leadership conference with tours of Washington, D.C., workshops, and committee meetings. For this conference, 4‑H’ers from all over the nation come to the National 4‑H Conference Center and are able to connect with other 4‑H’ers. Yet while CWF is a place where young people get to interact with their government and see how the democratic process works, CWF also creates other meaningful experiences and memories for participants. In addition to writing bills, attending a mock congressional session, meeting with real legislators, and developing leadership skills, 4‑H’ers at CWF create bonds with each other that are often maintained for years to come.

At first you wonder how a large group of teens with SUCH different stories and backgrounds can connect. Delegates for CWF come from all over the United States, some have met others from their delegation previously, but many meet for the first time at the airport or on the bus on the way to CWF. However, every week it seems that these different stories and different backgrounds are what help form these connections. Early on the first day, the delegates are a bit shy and talk to those that they already know, but by the end of that day, the delegates have begun their bonding journey. People who start with nothing in common end the week with shared experiences and memories that they share for years to come.

As program assistants, we enjoy working with the many delegates from different backgrounds and hearing the unique stories from everyone. I enjoy many parts of the week, but there is a moment every week that I look for. It is on Friday of every week of CWF, which is when we host the dance. The dance signifies that Citizenship Washington Focus has come to an end, which is sad, but the most beautiful thing happens after the dance. After the dance every week, after the last song has been played, there is always a group of delegates in a large huddle saying their goodbyes to one another and even shedding some tears. While it is the end of Citizenship Washington Focus, it is only the beginning for some. The beginning of the great things that will be accomplished, the beginning of the pathway to active citizens, and the beginning to many lasting relationships.

From the outside looking in, some might just see a large group of teens walking around, touring the nation’s capital. But as the program assistants, those of us who have the pleasure of working with the delegates, we truly get to see how all of these young people are able to come together and create wonderful things. The wonderful things may be the bills that they write and argue in the congressional session, but more often, they are the connections developed between each other as they are writing and arguing those bills.

Written by: Nosa Akol, CWF PA 2016

It was a hot day here in Washington, D.C., but sitting next to the United States Marine Corps Memorial, just up above the city, one can take in the setting sun’s sky as it inspires the colors of our great Capital City to radiate vibrancy onto every surface.  Not only that, but it also inspires thoughts.  Thoughts of places: the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol Building, the National Cathedral, the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian Museums.  Thoughts of people: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, our Congress, our Presidents.  Thoughts of life: our friends, family, our loved ones, our favorite holidays, favorite foods, events that we hated, events that we cherish.  Thoughts of one’s self: who am I, where am I going, and what will I do with my future?  As I sit overlooking the city, I remember why I came here to begin with, why so many others travel their distance to experience this place.  For many, these memorials are reminders of those who changed the world; for others, they are a symbol of how we can change ours.

My mind takes flight with this thought and carries me away to a neighboring treasure of our Capital City.  Approximately twenty-five miles west of here, in Chantilly, Virginia, sits the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Smithsonian.  This museum is essentially an airplane hangar filled with the planes of yesteryear and the shuttles and spacecrafts that reference our tomorrow.  It is a symbol of the accomplishments of humankind and, even more importantly, a stepping-stone to our future. When entering this massive Smithsonian, guests experience the best in air and space, but what they truly find there, above all else, is imagination.  They see that even people who were told they couldn’t fly found ways to soar into outer space! Walking the halls of Udvar-Hazy, we are surrounded by aircrafts, above and below, side to side, being bombarded by their boldness and humbled by their precision. These are the products of thought, and passion, and hard work.  These are the products of true leaders.

Never lead your life entirely off of what you are told to be fact, but instead, use your imagination to be the change that you want to see in the world.  In the words of Albert Einstein, whom is memorialized among the great leaders of our National Mall, “Imagination is more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire World and all there ever will be to know and understand….  Logic will get you from A to B… imagination will take you EVERYWHERE.”

As the words of the Nobel Prize Winner ring through my mind, I am promptly reminded of a story of bravery and independence, a story which can best be told by a visit to another of the local Smithsonian’s – the National Museum of American History.  Walking through this museum can be a bit overwhelming at times with exhibit after exciting exhibit featuring the great feats of United States Citizens through the years, but the exhibit that comes to my mind is the Greensboro Lunch Counter.  In the Eastern Lobby of the Second Floor solemnly sits four diner chairs and a single lunch counter.  As I contemplate these chairs, I move closer to them and take a seat.  My mind takes me away once more, not through space, but through time.  The year is now 1960.  I look up to see the surrounding diner, a busy place serving 39 cent banana splits.  Unimaginable, right?  A group of four young college students walk in and sit down at the lunch counter beside me.  Upon a polite meal order, the four students are promptly refused service simply because of what they look like and asked to leave.  The four refuse to leave and decide to have a sit-in and protest the discrimination instead.  I sit here alongside them, watching their faces as people pour in off of the street to harass the college students. As I stare at these four civilians seated next to me, I see what many people see when they gaze upon this lunch counter today in the Smithsonian: leaders.  These four college students were brave enough to hold their ground against those that tried to make them feel less than human, these young people showed an entire nation what true leadership means through patriotism, sacrifice, and a deeply-rooted human passion for liberty.

Still looking out over the city, I am reminded of another people in our history who sacrificed so much yet still held the values of liberty close even in the face of such adversity.  Sitting close to the Capitol Building is the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.  Within the four floors of this museum, guests can experience the culture and history of the Native American people, tribes, and civilizations of the Western Hemisphere.  Wandering through its halls, I can’t help but remember those of whom contributed so much to a nation that once took so much from them, the Navajo Code Talkers.

During World War II, bilingual Navajo were specially recruited by the Marines to serve in standard communications units in the Pacific Theatre.  They were specifically recruited because of their culture. You see, the Navajo language was one of the rarest around and had been almost completely forgotten by even the Navajo themselves.  When it came to communications during World War II, the Japanese Military were relentless at cracking the United States’ coded messages, but by using the Navajo language, the Allies’ communications were undeniably strengthened and the Japanese did not prevail. We look to these Navajo Code Talkers as those who kept their culture close when so much of it had been stripped from them by the government leaders of the past.

I look over the grand buildings, memorials, and monuments of this city and I know that, just as the Navajo Code Talkers kept their language close to them, we too must continue to remember and teach the importance of these structures, these diner chairs, these stories of our past, for they are there to show us who we were, who we are, and most importantly, who we can be. As the sun sets upon Washington, D.C., the colors of my newly-adopted city begin to flicker off to sleep and I know that tomorrow is a new day, a new chance for thoughts, a new chance for passion, a new chance for action through communities, across the nation, and around the world.  Tomorrow is a new story.  What will yours be?

Written by: Phillip Nunes, CWF PA 2016

Once Friday at Citizenship Washington Focus rolls around, you have seen a lot of the highlights of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area, but Friday is your chance to explore and see some of the extra things that aren’t part of the regular schedule. After spending the summer in D.C. as a tour guide, these are my top ten places you should visit to explore off of the beaten path in (or near) D.C:

  1. Visit Bethesda, Maryland: Located only a mile from the National 4‑H Conference Center and only a few miles outside of D.C., Bethesda is a great place to grab dinner and go shopping. Bethesda features a vibrant downtown with a number of high end retailers and unique boutiques. Grab a bite to eat on Bethesda Row and enjoy the short line at the Georgetown Cupcakes location in Bethesda.
  2. The National Harbor: Looking for an adventure? Head to the National Harbor and take a spin on the carousel or the Capital Ferris Wheel.  Rent a paddle boat and enjoy the waterfront. For those of ye who be lookin’ for somethin’ a bit more adventurous, navigate th’ hardy water aboard the deck of the Urban Pirates Cruise.
  3. Less Known Memorials: One of the best hidden secrets in D.C., the Titanic Memorial honors the victims of the Titanic that gave their lives so the women and children could have the limited lifeboat seats. This gorgeous memorial is located in the southwest quadrant of D.C. and is well worth the trip. Another less known memorial is the Memorial to Albert Einstein, located in front of the National Academy of Sciences. This 12-foot statue makes reference to Einstein’s contributions to science.
  4. Rock Creek Park: Watched any shows recently that feature Washington, D.C.? They may have mentioned Rock Creek Park. The 1754-acre park is the largest recreational park in the country and serves as a great escape from the noise and bustle of the city. Take a walk through the park and enjoy the beauty of the nature that is Rock Creek Park.
  5. Tour the Bureau of Engraving and Printing: Tickets are available day of at the ticket booth and are distributed starting at 8 a.m. Throughout the tour you will learn more about how money is made and get to view the production floor where millions of U.S. dollars are printed.
  6. Eat at Gadsby’s Tavern: Dine like George Washington would have in his hometown of Alexandria through this authentic Colonial dining restaurant.  Join the list of presidential guests who have dined at Gadsby’s, including George Washington himself, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. While you’re there, try Martha’s Puff Pastry and the corn pudding.
  7. Udvar-Hazy Center: One of the two buildings that comprise the National Air and Space Museum, the Udvar-Hazy Center displays large aircrafts and other aviation artifacts.  Visit the exhibits on space science, Cold War aviation, and aerobatic flight as well as view the Space Shuttle Discovery.   If you want to rest for a few minutes, sit back and enjoy the Einstein Planetarium.
  8. Theodore Roosevelt Island: Only accessible by foot, this living memorial to the 26th President is truly off the beaten path. Take a free guided walk with a park ranger and learn about the nature that surrounds the island. If you’re feeling more adventurous, pick one of the many hiking trails and set out to discover the beauty of the island on your own.
  9. Visit Georgetown: Looking for a hauntingly good time in D.C.? Georgetown has the stairs featured in the peak scene of The Exorcist and hosts the largest Halloween party in D.C., Nightmare on M street.  Be sure to stop by The Old Stone House and discover one of the oldest structures in D.C., which is not without some ghosts of its own.
  10. Washington National Cathedral: The gothic architecture, intricate stained glass windows, and overall beauty of the cathedral makes it a must-see place.  Take a tour of the cathedral and view the Canterbury Pulpit, the Great Choir, and the faces of famous historical figures that are scattered in carvings in the walls. If you look hard you may even find a 4‑H clover. Go to the crypts and see the final resting place of Helen Keller and Woodrow Wilson.

Now get out there and explore!

Amber Roberts

CWF PA 2016

Congratulations! If you attended Citizenship Washington Focus this year, you have found the best place to reflect on your experiences. If you plan on attending in the future, you have found the best place to learn about CWF and all that it entails. We’re here to tell you, you’re in for late nights, early mornings, aching feet, and crazy humidity… However, we STRONGLY encourage you to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. The week you spend in D.C. will be a series of truly amazing experiences. Here are just a few memories from our week as CWF delegates:

Sunday: We Arrive

We made our way to Washington, D.C. and the National 4‑H Center. Our week, delegates came from states as far away as Utah and as close as Kentucky. Some of us were nervous; others just happy to get out of a crowded bus or airplane. However, any nerves we had quickly vanished when we got to meet and interact with other delegates. Our PA’s (Program Assistants) got us involved right away with games and conversations. Following that, we split into our committees of choice. This is where we (your blogging committee) all met! Later that afternoon, we had the opportunity to meet even more people at the pin trade and social. We made a lot of connections and collected a lot of pins (especially from Wisconsin)!

Monday: Intro to D.C.

We all woke up early Monday morning to head to Mount Vernon, the home of President George Washington. Everything, from his mansion to his fruit garden, was beautiful and pristine! Here are some of the pictures we captured during our visit. Back at the 4‑H center, we learned how to write bills and even created some of our own. In the process, we learned how to efficiently combine opposing views into one common goal. At dusk, we got to go into D.C. and explore the National Mall. There were so many beautiful sights (and photo opportunities) among the memorials.

Tuesday: Working as a Team

            We spent the morning touring Arlington National Cemetery and got to witness the changing of the guard, a truly unique & amazing experience! After coming back to the center for lunch, we got to play games centered around teamwork. It really brought us closer to those who we would be working and spending a lot of time with throughout the week. Later that evening, we discussed some of the issues each delegate’s community was facing in a “Town Hall.” This helped each of us develop a better understanding of views that may potentially conflict with our own in a neutral and educational environment. It also helped each of us to become a little better and more compassionate citizen by showing us the multiple sides issues. We ended the day by coming up with strategies to present the bills we had written earlier in the week.

Wednesday: Capitol Hill Day/Twilight Tattoo

            Each delegation split up to explore Capitol Hill as they pleased. Some groups visited the National Archives to see the documents on which our country and government are founded upon. Many delegations visited their state’s Congressmen to learn about their job and responsibilities and take a tour of the Capitol building. At the end of the day, we attended Twilight Tattoo, a live-action military pageant featuring Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” We also stopped to see the Iwo Jima and Air Force Memorials on our way back to the 4‑H Center that evening. Seeing everything lit up at night was beautiful!

Thursday: Wrap-up Begins

            By the time Thursday rolled around, it was starting to sink in that our week together in our nation’s capital was coming to an end. This was a day full of “lasts.” The last site we visited together was the National Cathedral. We went first thing in the morning when the rising sun through the stained glass windows painted rainbows on the pointed arches. We ate a last lunch in the Clover Café and then we held a mock congressional session where we voted on the bills we had written throughout the week. Following that, we held our last committee meeting. It was bittersweet.  On one hand, it was satisfying to see everything that we had been working on in the communications committee piece together, but at the same time it was sad to think that everything we worked on together was finished and there was nothing else for us to do. That evening, each delegation got to plan their own night out in the District. Activities ranged from attending a very formal dinner theater to laying blankets out on the grass near the Martin Luther King Memorial and watching a movie on an inflatable big screen.

Friday: Leaving our Mark

On our final day, each delegation did all that they could to leave Washington, D.C. with a bang. This included visiting the paddle boats at the Tidal Basin, witnessing a protest in front of the White House, shopping at street vendors, and so much more! It was everybody’s last day to shop for souvenirs, visit that attraction they’d been putting off, and just enjoy having a day without a strict schedule. That evening, we held the talent show where average delegates, no different than the rest of us, showed off all of the amazing things they’re capable of. Then, we had the closing ceremonies and slideshow. It was crazy to see how much we had done and how close we had grown in just one week. We ended that evening with a dance. Everybody did their best to have a great time before having to say goodbye.

Saturday: Goodbye!!!

            On Saturday, we all started going our separate ways. Some people got the chance to tell their new friends goodbye, and others didn’t. Some spent another day touring the capital, while some hopped straight onto a plane. Everybody was exhausted. Everybody’s feet hurt from walking all week. Everybody was probably looking forward to being back in the comfort of their home, but NOBODY actually wanted the week to be over. CWF was not just your average tour of the Nation’s Capital, nor was it your average summer camp. It was a combination of hundreds of unique and amazing experiences, memories, and friendships that somehow fit in just one week. It taught us so much more about our nation’s history and ourselves as American citizens than any number of textbooks ever could. It truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity and if you are ever given the chance to attend, do it and make the best of it because you’ll never experience anything else like it.

You have planned to come to CWF. You have planned out the perfect Capitol Hill day with perfectly timed tours and meetings with your Congressmen and Congresswomen. Now the time has come to figure out what to do in those meetings.

Spending a week in our nation’s capital is quite an honor, especially when having the opportunity to represent 4‑H on a state and national level. One of Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) delegates’ favorite parts of their CWF experience is Capitol Hill Day, which is a day where the delegates spend a day on Capitol Hill exploring the ins and outs of Congress and our government at the heart of Washington D.C. This special experience is a chance to not only see how Congress works, but is also an opportunity for delegates to meet the people who represent them.

On Capitol Hill Day, CWF delegates meet with their respective members of Congress – both members of the House of Representatives and Senators – to discuss 4‑H with them, to learn more about what their roles entail, and to get exposed to what the federal government looks like from an insider’s perspective. The day is centered around meeting with Representatives and Senators, so here are a few tips for you on your Capitol Hill Day, so that you can be a pro and really impress the Senators and Representatives you meet with.

  • Be flexible. Congressmen and Congresswomen are some of the busiest people in D.C. because they have meetings with so many constituents (like yourselves) and other politicians. Sometimes your meetings will include walking with the staff of the Representative or Senator, or your meeting will take place in a hallway for a few moments. Be able to work with them and understand their busy schedule so that you can still work a meaningful visit in with a couple of good questions and talking about 4‑H.
  • Have an elevator speech prepared. An elevator speech is a way for you to share your story with someone, and because of how concise and clear it is, Capitol Hill Day is a great time to use this. This elevator speech should be about 45 seconds of explaining who you are, what your 4‑H story is, and what your purpose is for the visit. This way, at the end of those 45 seconds, the Representative or Senator knows exactly who you are and why you’re there, and the conversation can take off from that point. Be sure to first run it by someone and practice it.
  • Ask meaningful questions. Capitol Hill Day is a once in a lifetime chance for some people. There aren’t a lot of times in your life when you get to meet with someone who represents you on a national level in Congress, and when you get that chance, they’re going to look to you for questions. It’s your job to be prepared with questions that you can ask them. These questions shouldn’t be controversial, but should come from your interest to learn more about what they do or what is happening in the country/government currently.
  • First impressions matter. A firm handshake is key in your meetings on Capitol Hill Day, and don’t forget to say your name and where you’re from. Most times, the Congressmen and Congresswomen and their staff will know where you’re from if you say it, and they love to learn more about who they’re representing and working for. Don’t forget to smile, too!
  • Be engaged. You may have a whole half hour with your Representative or Senator, or you may only have five minutes. The timing of each meeting differs, but no matter how much time your meeting actually takes, you still should be engaged and contributing to the discussion. This means asking good questions, but also listening well to understand. Being present in these meetings is key to a successful Capitol Hill Day. Make the most of your meetings and let your voice be heard.
  • Introduce yourself to the staff. Very frequently on Capitol Hill do people make appointments with a particular Representative or Senator and end up meeting with members of the staff instead. It’s still a great chance to let your voice be heard and to understand Capitol Hill and the federal government, so continue to ask meaningful questions and be engaged with these meetings like you would with a Congressman or Congresswoman. Members of the staff often have incredibly helpful information – ranging from what’s happening in your home state to internship opportunities on Capitol Hill. It takes a lot of people to make sure that everything gets done in a Congressman or Congresswoman’s office, so the members of their staff really are helpful and can provide you with some great information.
  • Share 4‑H’s message. Some people like to take a picture with your Representative or Senator after meeting with them. Some people even like to include that picture in a thank-you note to their Representative or Senator, but it’s also great to share that on social media as well. Encourage them to tag @4H on Twitter or Instagram so that we can share the experience with 4‑H’ers across the country as well.

Take some time to prepare for your Capitol Hill Day, because it will add to the success of your visits and meetings. Good luck, and don’t forget to represent 4‑H to the best of your ability!

Elizabeth Galbreath
CWF PA 2016

When people think of Washington, D.C., one of the first places that comes to mind is Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill is the seat of our government, the place where people of all walks of life come together to create ideas that will make our nation a better place. A highlight of any trip to Washington is going to visit the Capitol Building and it is no different for the delegates who attend Citizenship Washington Focus. We didn’t use the term Wednesday in our weeks at CWF, instead, it was Capitol Hill Day. As someone who visited Capitol Hill at least eight times last summer, I want to give you a few tips about making the most of your time on Capitol Hill.

The first thing you should do for your day on Capitol Hill is schedule appointments with your Congressmen/women or Senators. For the best use of your time, schedule all of your appointments on the same day. Allow at least an hour (preferably an hour and a half) between appointments, this way you have plenty of time to talk with your representative, take pictures, and get from one location to the next. Sometimes unique opportunities pop up, please take advantage of these! You never know if you will get another chance to ride through the underground tunnels under the Capitol Building or see Senators in action from the Senate House gallery. You can always call your representative’s office and they may be able to reschedule a later meeting.

When you plan the order of your meetings, pay attention to who you are meeting with, representatives or senators. Their office buildings are on opposite sides of the hill, so it is better if you schedule one side and then the other. The best place to start is on the south side, where the House of Representatives’ offices are. This side is closest to the bus drop off area. Then you can work your way over to meet with your senators. This is the best use of your time on the hill and will reduce how tired you are at the end of the day!

At some point you will need to eat lunch. Each office building has a reasonably priced cafeteria in the basement, but some can get a little crowded with staff and other guests. Another place with a large selection and reasonable prices is the restaurant at the Capitol Visitor Center. It has plenty of seating for everyone and is air-conditioned (which is appreciated in the summer). However, if you’re in a pinch or don’t have enough time to make it to the Visitor Center, grab a bite in any of the office cafeterias.

You’ll also want a tour of the Capitol Building. Your Congressman’s office might schedule one as part of your meeting and you can request it through them. Otherwise, you can schedule your own tour once you are in the Capitol building or online. While you’re in the Capitol building, check out Exhibition Hall, which has the history of both the House and Senate with short videos.

Often times you will have some free time in between meetings, here are a few places close to the Hill that you can visit in between your meetings:

The US Botanic Garden is a great place to take a break. The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) calls itself a “living plant museum” which is unique among all of the other Washington, D.C. museums. Visitors can walk through multiple ecosystems within the garden seeing living examples of the many different plants located on Earth.

You can also take the underground tunnel from the Capitol Building to the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress holds the spot of the largest Library in the world and includes everything from books to recordings to newspapers, photos, and maps.

Another place you can check out is the Supreme Court Building, where you might be able to take a peek into the chamber where the judges sit. In addition to the Courtroom, you can see different exhibitions about the supreme court.

The Post Office Museum is only a ten-minute walk away. It’s free of charge and a low traffic museum with lots of interesting items. The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is located in the historic City Post Office Building and has many items related to Postal History, but also other unique items, like planes, a dog named Owney, and wagons.

Once you finish all of these activities, you’ll definitely be hungry for dinner. Head off to Union Station (near the Post Office Museum) and grab some dinner from their food court. You can get some shopping done if you finish dinner early. Take the metro home from Union Station or have your own bus pick you up there.

Hopefully these tips help make your Capitol Hill Day as smooth as it can be.

Enjoy your visit to Washington, D.C.!

Written by: Ariana Campbell, CWF PA 2016

As we arrived at the 4‑H Conference Center from our crazy journeys to Citizenship Washington Focus, a lot of us were wondering what we had gotten ourselves into. We unloaded the buses and stepped through the door ready to go. We were first introduced to the people who would be helping us out all week, our Program Assistants. They explained that they would be with us everywhere and that if we had any questions that we could always go to them. Once we were able to meet some of the other delegates and Program Assistants, we realized it was going to be an amazing week, but little did we know that with every activity or every place we visited, there would be something to help us learn how to become a better citizen and leader.

On Monday morning, we visited Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, one of our nation’s greatest founding fathers. We learned how he led the nation in the Revolutionary War and was instrumental in the establishment of the government. Returning to the Conference Center, we broke into groups where we discussed controversial issues and how we would fix them, seeing the legislative process in action by writing bills. This gave us a taste of what happens in Congress. Later in the evening, we toured the various memorials. At each one, we were able to learn more about the history of the United States and the leaders that have shaped that history. Overall, we were able to explore different styles of leadership and how each leader (and style of leadership) has left a different print on the country.

Bright and early Tuesday morning, we were off to visit more memorials and Arlington National Cemetery, adding even more leadership styles to our collection. Some of our fellow delegates were able to try out their leadership styles through the CWF derby, a field day type event that a group of delegates plans and leads while we are here. The Derby allowed us to meet and really get to know the other people at CWF through games and other entertaining activities, ranging from Capture the Flag to Freeze Tag and Musical Chairs. While the Derby is planned by the Healthy Living Committee, a later event on Tuesday was planned by the Open Mindedness Committee, Town Hall. This was a highlight of the day where we were able to break into small groups and discuss some major issues that affect our communities and our nation. The delegates facilitating the Town Hall encouraged us to share our opinions, think of possible solutions, and see that our voices truly do matter. Good citizens and leaders work on trying to fix issues by discussing them and coming up with solutions. Overall, Tuesday provided us with insight on how we can focus on the four H’s that we use in 4‑H – our heads, our hearts, our hands, and our health- to better living for our club, our communities, and our world.

Wednesday found us on Capitol Hill for most of the day. There, CWF delegates from all over the United States were able to meet with their Congressmen and Congresswomen to share their 4‑H stories. In addition to their 4‑H stories, many delegates had the opportunity to ask their senators and representatives about the congressional process, leadership skills, and community issues. Wednesday finished with us attending Twilight Tattoo at Fort Myer and visiting the 9/11 Memorial, Air Force Memorial, and Marine Corps War Memorial. 

During the week, we had the chance to explore citizens and leaders throughout history as well as plan and lead events at CWF. On Thursday, we worked more on being leaders in our home communities by creating action plans that we could use to implement change in our communities with the skills we’ve learned at CWF. After spending some time at the National Cathedral, it was time for our Mock Congressional Session where we were able to debate the bills we had worked on all week.

In conclusion, with every memorial we saw and activity we did this week, we were asked to consider how it related to citizenship and leadership. We were taught how Congress actually works and were able to see it in action (in real life and in our own Congressional Session). We were able to discuss real issues with our senators and representatives and come up with our own plans to combat an issue in our communities. Even with all of this learning, we still had a lot of fun and we would recommend this program and experience to anyone in 4‑H who would like to come and learn about our country’s government. We would also recommend the program to anyone who wants to become a leader and good citizen. Similarly, we would recommend it to anyone who wants to meet 4‑H’ers from other states. Really, we would just recommend the program. Overall, it was an awesome week for the entire 4‑H crew from all over the country, and we want others to know that the new generation starts with us.

Washington, D.C. is a place of historical and political enchantment. For many individuals, a trip to Washington, D.C. is the trip of a lifetime. This includes any of our delegates coming for the Citizenship Washington Focus program or any other visitors. Nothing else can compare to being in the heart of our Nation while learning about citizenship and leadership. However, ensuring that you have all the information and amenities you need for your trip is essential if your adventure in the District is going to be a success. Luckily, the National 4‑H Conference Center has exactly what you are looking for!

When you first arrive on campus, security is ready to greet you with a smile. To ensure that traffic on campus is controlled and guests are being watched after, a security guard is on duty 24/7. Making sure that their guests are safe and happy is the National 4‑H Conference Center’s number one goal. Walking into the lobby, you will then be met with a friendly face at the front desk. Happy to show you to your room or answer any of your questions throughout the week, the front desk is a wealth of knowledge and a valuable resource for you to use throughout your stay. In fact, the same can be said for all of the staff on campus! Wanting to make your trip as comfortable and positive as possible, anyone would be happy to answer your questions or provide you with what you need to make your visit to the Center a pleasurable one.

A major part of any trip is going to be your meals. The National 4‑H Conference Center has its own cafe directly on campus. Their chefs prepare a variety of entrees for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are accompanied with a beverage, salad, and dessert bar as well. After a long day of exploring the Smithsonian’s and memorials, being able to come back to the 4‑H Center and have a nice home cooked meal will rejuvenate and reenergize your group making them ready for the next great adventure.

Although a friendly staff and good food are important aspects to any trip, what makes the National 4‑H Center different is their attention to detail in their amenities. They understand that your group might need some time to relax, shop, or conduct meetings and workshops. The Center provides all of these and more! Your group can spend their free time shooting some hoops or spiking balls against their friends on the Center’s full size basketball and sand volleyball courts. In addition, downstairs in the main building there is a massive recreation room. Pool tables, video games, lounging areas, and a big screen TV can entertain your group for hours. Located within the recreation room downstairs is the Center’s very own gift shop. Forgot your toothbrush at home? No worries! Along with your classic D.C. memorabilia, the shop is stocked with toiletries for those pesky items you accidentally forget. Numerous meeting rooms complete with projectors and drawing boards are also scattered through the facility.

In conclusion, where you chose to stay can make or break the outcome of your trip to Washington, D.C. If you are looking for hospitality and a home away from home, then your only option is to stay at the National 4‑H Conference Center. The helpful and inviting staff, great food, and amazing amenities are just of few of the highlights you will experience during the time you stay there. For more information, please visit www.4hcenter-org.4-h.org. You won’t regret it!

Written by: Ashton Yarbrough, 2016 CWF PA