Volume 17, Number 1, Fall 2006

Capitol Experience Teaches Youth About Citizenship

Lauren Burdick

It’s early on the morning of March 20 — not even 8:00 — yet the banquet room at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in downtown Lansing, Mich., is packed with tables of people sharing breakfast and lively conversation. At one table sits Michigan Sen. Jason Allen; at another, Michigan Rep. Bruce Caswell, both of them surrounded by young people asking questions and sharing ideas. In fact, a glance around the room shows Michigan legislators at every table, each engaged in discussions with young constituents.

It’s unusual for high school students to have such easy access to their senators and representatives — let alone have breakfast with them — but for four days each March, approximately 100 high-school-aged youth get to see their government at work — up close and personal — during 4-H Capitol Experience.

“I really encourage young people to get involved with local government and their communities,” St. Joseph and Cass County Rep. Rick Shaffer said during the annual legislative breakfast to an audience of youth, chaperones and 4-H staff members. “There are many, many leadership career opportunities available to all of you.”

Midland and Isabella County Rep. Bill Caul echoed that sentiment, saying, “I’m happy to support these students; they are the leaders of tomorrow, and any of them could become future legislators, representatives or even governors.”

During Capitol Experience, participating youth interact with legislators and lobbyists, tour the Capitol and Supreme Court, meet with state agency staff members and learn how policy is made.

“Some of the things we’ve done so far I remember from history class, but I’ve really learned a lot more about government since there’s just not enough time to cover everything at school,” says 14-year-old Beth Mills of Lenawee County.

This is one of the goals of the program: to provide youth with more information on how government works. The program also teaches students leadership skills and helps build youth’s character and confidence.

“I’m now more informed about how the government works,” says 16-year-old Kelly Borse of Cheboygan County. “I thought I knew a lot before I came, but I guess there was a lot more to know.”

During the breakfast, senators and representatives shared how they became involved in politics and offered advice to youth. Many of the legislators spoke on how their involvement in 4-H and Future Farmers of America helped them become the people they are today.

Capitol Experience is just one of many leadership and citizenship programs that 4-H offers. Other programs include the Statewide Civic Education Youth Advisory Committee, Wonders of Washington, Citizenship Washington Focus, the 4-H Youth Conservation Corps, National 4-H Conference, Natural Helpers, Peer Plus, Group Dynamite and Youth Experiencing Action.

The Statewide Civic Education Youth Advisory Committee is a group of teens who look at what schools are teaching on the topic of civics. This group meets and discusses ways schools can better teach civic education and come up with fun ways to help students better understand government.

4-H believes civic knowledge helps youth become better citizens. By becoming informed on topics such as public policies and the government, youth will be able to make more informed decisions later on in life.

According to the National Alliance for Civic Education, people who know a great deal about government, politics and public affairs tend to vote and join organizations; those with low levels of knowledge do not participate.

“4-H has taught me that there’s more out there than just the small town I’m from,” Mills says. “It’s really opened my eyes to new experiences.”