Pennsylvania youth find a “voice” at Pennsylvania 4-H Capital Days

The primary focus of Capital Days is to educate youth about the political process and enhance their citizenship and leadership skills. They also participated in an extensive advocacy track, newly added this year. 

Those in attendance got to meet with and hear from Dr. Bruce McPheron, Dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences; Dr. Dennis Calvin, the Director of Cooperative Extension; and State Representatives Scott Conklin and Matt Gabler.  They participated in workshops on parliamentary procedure, were taught how to read a bill by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Regional Director Mark Lowery, and participated in a mock legislative session where they discussed and debated current House and Senate bills.

A new advocacy track was introduced to help teens better understand themselves, their interests, their personal connection with communities and their ultimate role as an advocate for 4-H, said Amy Gregor, State 4-H Youth Program Management Coordinator. Participants learned the definition of advocacy, and were challenged to think about issues that affect them as young adults and brainstorm ideas about how they could make changes, she said. Later they participated in role plays about the issues they identified and developed an advocacy plan to take back to their local 4-H clubs.  Advocacy helps young people develop life-long skills for problem analysis, decision-making, negotiation, communication and group work as well as increases self-confidence. 4-H Capital Days prepares youth to return to their communities and be an active member now and in the future.

“I was pleased to take such a fine group of quality youth delegates to Harrisburg, representing Crawford County,” states Wanda Braymer, Crawford County 4-H Educator, and event planning committee member.  “We had the largest group there in the state.  These youth are already involved in local and county level community service projects and are now more knowledgeable in how to become even more involved in their local communities, the county and the state.  In addition to the workshops and special presentations, the delegates toured the Capitol Building, met with the Secretary of Agriculture and had breakfast with their respective legislators.”

Pennsylvania 4-H is coordinated by Penn State Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences. More information about 4-H Youth Development in Pennsylvania can be found at http://extension.psu.edu/4-H.  Locally the 4-H program is part of the educational effort of Crawford County Cooperative Extension an outreach of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University.  Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. For more information about the 4-H program, contact the Crawford County Cooperative Extension Office, 13400 Dunham Road, Suite A, Meadville, PA  16335.  The phone number is (814) 333-7460.  Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce.