Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a 4-H civic engagement experience for high school youth.
For seven days, teens from around the nation will gather to have meaningful discussions and hear from prominent speakers, influential leaders and engaging young people who have created an impact.
They will connect with 500 other teens as they learn the skills needed to lead in their local communities and become change agents to build a brighter future.
Here's what's included
- Can't miss workshops and discussions with teens from around the U.S. on how to create change in your local community.
- Listening and learning from government speakers, young community leaders and renowned journalists.
- Experience history through monuments, museums and memorials, including Mount Vernon!
Minnesota 4-H participants also engage in virtual pre-trip education sessions designed to prepare them for the experience and meet other participants before departure. All delegates will also plan, refine and implement a post-trip application project upon return.
This experience is open to enrolled Minnesota 4-H youth members who have completed at least their first year of high school at the time of travel and are at least 15 years old.
Minnesota 4-H will attend CWF June 20-27, 2024. Approximately 30-40 teens from Minnesota will attend. This trip typically fills quickly; don't wait to apply. If the trip does not receive enough participation, it will be canceled.
Learn more and apply
Program details
Who
Youth must be at least 15 years of age, not older than 19, and have completed their first year of high school by the time of travel (June 2024).
What
Three pre-departure virtual Zoom meetings will begin in March 2024. Meeting content will facilitate relationship building with other youth delegates and adult chaperones, as well as prepare youth for the in-person experience.
While on the trip, participants will attend the CWF conference, which includes educational sessions about making a difference in your community, conversations with decision-makers and discussions on current events. Participants will also meet youth from other states and travel to several key landmarks in our nation’s capital.
Following attendance, the participating youth will implement a post-trip application project.
Where
Virtual Zoom meetings and Washington, D.C., area trip
When
Virtual meetings start in March and occur monthly; trip dates are June 20-27, 2024.
Financial information
- Currently, this trip is estimated at $2500-2800. The final cost is planned to be set by early January 2024 as trip plans are solidified.
- Many local 4-H programs provide financial support for these experiences. Contact your local 4-H office to inquire about funding and fundraising opportunities.
For youth
- Review the CWF website (updates will be made as available). Note: You do not need to register for this trip through the CWF website - we will take care of the event registration for you.
- Apply through your 4-H Online account. Use the 2024 CWF event application guide for assistance. This experience typically fills quickly; don't wait to apply.
- Applications open Nov. 15, 2023, and close Dec. 15, 2023. Late applications are not guaranteed acceptance.
- Not in 4-H? Join 4-H here!
- Pay the $500 deposit.
- Start fundraising for other trip payments.
For adults interested in chaperoning
Chaperone spaces will be available based on the number of youth who register. Applications will be open Nov. 15-Dec. 15, 2023. Chaperones have a portion of their attendance fee covered but are expected to secure a financial contribution equal to about a third of the program fee for youth.
Interested volunteers should review the expectations and apply by Dec. 15.
Contact schw1553@umn.edu with any questions.
Contact
- Randi Schwartz, schw1553@umn.edu - Application and payment questions
- Jacquie Lonning, jlonning@umn.edu - Overall program and educational content questions