Kalamazoo County 4-H Teenagers Have Capitol Experience

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan 4-H teens shared their views with state legislators during the annual 4-H Capitol Experience. They discussed such issues as agricultural expansion, Michigan’s new high school requirements and protecting environmental resources.

Katie Barrett of Vicksburg and James Pendziszewski of Mattawan were among 68 Michigan high school students who visited Lansing March 9-12 to learn more about how Michigan government works. The teens, along with adult volunteers, found out how they can become politically engaged and influence policy issues. They also discovered that legislators are interested in their opinions and want to hear about their needs and concerns. Kalamazoo County 4-H’ers will use the information they learned in Lansing to plan local community action and advocacy activities in their local communities.

“4-H Capitol Experience offers youth an opportunity to learn how they can be more engaged in their communities through government,” says Cynthia B. Mark, state 4-H program leader for citizenship, leadership and civic engagement. Mark was the coordinator for the 2008 4-H Capitol Experience. “The teens can see the legislative process from the inside and learn about the actual workings of our government,” says Mark. 2008 is the 100th birthday of 4-H in Michigan.

While in Lansing, teens met with legislators, state policy makers, and representatives of community and state agencies, lobbyists and state aides and toured the Capitol Building, the House Office Building, the Michigan Supreme Court and various state agencies. One evening they participated in a Michigan legislature simulation and learned how to write and pass bills related to their issue area. A highlight of the Capitol Experience was a breakfast with state legislators.

“I learned so much!” said one teen participant. “I don’t think politics are boring anymore.”

For more information on 4-H Capitol Experience, visit 4-H online at http://www.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/capexp.html.

To get involved with 4-H as a youth member or 4-H volunteer, contact the Kalamazoo County MSU Extension office at (269) 383-8830.

Michigan 4-H Youth Development, the state’s largest youth development program, is part of Michigan State University Extension, which applies the research and knowledge of the state’s land-grant university to help Michigan citizens manage life issues.

###

MSU Extension is an Affirmative-Action Equal-Opportunity Institution. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.

Back to News Releases