4-H Citizenship and Leadership group travels to Australia

Print
Image
Kelsi Alexander, Kelsey Sills and Sherry Falge visited Australia recently. Courtesy photo.

 



LAKE COUNTY – 4-H members Kelsi Alexander of Upper Lake and Kelsey Sills of Kelseyville recently traveled to Australia as part of the 4-H International Australia Exchange Program.


Chaperone Sherry Falge, a 4-H Volunteer from Upper Lake also traveled with the group, which included 20 other 4-H delegates from throughout the United States.


The group stayed in Australia for just under a month and their time there included going to Melbourne, Sydney and branching off into separate host families.


Kelsi Alexander stayed on a small farm in Simpson, where she learned about Australian home life, went to sporting events and met many life-long friends.


Kelsey Sills stayed on a dairy farm in Cobden, where she helped with the milking process, went sailing, and went to the college town of Bendigo.


Sherry Falge stayed on a sheep farm where she helped with the daily chores, worked cattle and sheep, and did some traveling. This trip was possible with the help of the Citizenship and Leadership 4-H Club, which is a group overseen up by Sherry Falge to promote older youth to stay in 4-H and is designed to prepare future leaders and good citizens.


This group has also sent many 4-H members to other Citizenship and Leadership conferences and programs such as:


– California Focus, which is a unique 4-H Citizenship educational experience that combines hands-on participation in workshops, debates, and simulations with outstanding speakers and visits to historical, cultural and governmental sites. California's capital city, Sacramento, becomes a "living classroom" for this five-day, action packed adventure that strengthens leadership skills.


– Washington Focus helps delegates to understand how their individual actions can make a difference in our world. This unique program, in the Washington D.C. area, combines visits to historical and cultural attractions with participation in educational workshops and simulations. Delegates have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with legislators, discuss contemporary issues, and learn how proposals are funded and public policy is administered. In the process, they have the chance to share concerns, ideas, and information with peers from across the country.


– Japanese Exchange Program, in which participants live with a family and see Japan through the everyday experiences. This is an opportunity to experience life in Japan from the inside, not as a tourist. Host families eagerly introduce California teens to life in Japan.


The Citizenship and Leadership club has been raising money for many years for these travel programs and continues to raise more money for future delegates. We would like to thank everyone in our community who has supported us over the years and who continues to support our program.


4-H Youth Development is a program of the University of California Cooperative Extension. For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, telephone 263-6838.


{mos_sb_discuss:2}