4-H Interstate Exchange Program Promotes Friendships, Travel and Perspective
By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension 4-H
Imagine touching snow for the first time, climbing on giant coastal rocks and walking through the dense Quinault rain forest. These are just some of the adventures of the Thurston County Interstate Exchange program which recently hosted sixteen 4-H’ers from Louisiana.
"When we were at Mount Rainier we gave each of the teens a large, black plastic bag to use for sledding," said local Exchange Coordinator Doreen Tudor. "The Louisiana extension agent cut two leg holes and put the draw string over their heads to keep them dry. We called them Cajun Snow Bibs!"
McKenzie Aitkin, from Thurston County, with Louisiana exchange student Montana Soileau wearing a “Cajun Snow Bib” on Mount Rainier.
The week-long July program helps youth develop new friendships while encouraging initiative, independence and gaining insight into personal values. An energetic, education-packed week is designed so teens learn about the culture, industry, agriculture, and history of the area. Last year, Thurston County youth visited teens in Louisiana to learn their customs and many had "first" experiences of their own.
"We went to a refuge where I got to hold a baby alligator which was tiny but feisty," said 17-year old Kami Owens of Lacey. "We also got to go inside their capital building and state museum where we read about different wars and saw memorabilia from other eras. It was fun and informational, unlike a 50 minute class period in school."
For this summer's Washington state exchange the group explored the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, Northwest Trek, Museum of Flight, the state capital, Museum of Glass and toured apple orchards in Wenatchee. White water rafting, walking in the Quinault rain forest and splashing in the Pacific Ocean provided more local experiences.
Luke Christensen, a sophomore from Olympia, has been a part of the past two exchanges and hosted a teen this summer. "This program has helped me become more of a leader," said Luke. "I wanted to travel new places, try new food and experience different cultures." Having a snow ball fight with the Louisiana teens was the most fun because so many of them had never seen snow before."
To prepare for the trip the group had multiple fundraisers to cover expenses and monthly meetings to learn about the area they would be visiting. Since the program began in 2006 students have also travelled to Montana and Pennsylvania. Tudor is always searching for other states interested in providing unique opportunities for teens for the two-year exchange cycle.
"I have seen teens grow as individuals and watched them learn to be patient and accept different cultures. It's a place where youth from different projects come together as one group," said Tudor who began 4-H in 1982.
As much as the planned events and sightseeing is valuable to the teens it's often getting to know someone on their own turf that's most meaningful. "Just sitting at home and watching a movie with my host family was so enjoyable because we got to know one another and had laughs every minute of it,” said Kami. “The family was so genuine and they let us come into their lives and experience their day-to-day activities. It was amazing!"
Posted August 2011
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