4-H Members Learn About Government During Pennsylvania 4-H Capital Days

Attending from Dauphin County were:

• Jacob Bell, Jonestown, PA;
• Gabrielle Evans, Halifax, PA;
• Alexandria Neff, Harrisburg, PA;
• Alyssa Neff, Harrisburg, PA;
• Abigail O'Shell, Hummelstown, PA;
• Madison Shaw, Harrisburg, PA;
• Julia Tilley (Chaperone), Harrisburg, PA;
• Keegan Tilley, Harrisburg, PA;
• Ronald Tilley (Chaperone), Harrisburg, PA.

Sponsored by Pennsylvania 4-H, Capital Days is a three-day educational program designed to engage 4-H'ers in the political process and prepare them to become active and engaged citizens of Pennsylvania. According to organizers, participating youth gain valuable leadership and citizenship skills that will prepare, empower and lead them to successful futures.

During the event, participants learn about parliamentary procedure, how to read legislation, and party roles and affiliations. They then use that knowledge to discuss and debate a bill and participate in a mock legislative session. This year, delegates discussed a bill to provide for notation on transcripts of students suspended or expelled from institutions of higher education.

Other workshops included topics on advocacy, civil discourse, elections and the voting process. Delegates also participated in an escape room where they had to work together to solve puzzles that would reveal clues needed to crack the code and open the safe. In addition, delegates had the opportunity to tour the Capitol and have their photo taken on the rotunda steps.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding spoke to the delegates about how 4-H plays an important role in developing leadership potential and about the Pennsylvania Farm Bill's Ag and Youth Grant program. Youth programs will be eligible to apply for grants to increase youth exposure to agriculture and grow the industry's future leaders.

There was also an unannounced visit from Gov. Tom Wolf. The event wrapped up with a legislative brunch during which delegates talked with their legislators one-on-one about 4-H and their 4-H experiences.

"Capital Days is an outstanding 4-H event that teaches our 4-H youth the importance of civic engagement and the value of civil discourse," said Joshua Rice, Penn State Extension assistant director for 4-H youth development programs. "The youth who are wearing the 4-H clover today are our next generation of leaders, and it is important that they know how to work effectively as a team through positive conversations."

Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the national Cooperative Extension System that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring and contributing citizens.