History Comes Alive for Klickitat County 4-H’ers
By Susan Kerr, WSU-Klickitat County Extension Director and
Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension 4-H
They started with the Pilgrims and concluded with 9/11. Seven days of jam-packed history, inter-active learning, and new experiences for 16 Klickitat County youth brought home what it means to be a U.S. citizen.
“I wanted to make sure we hit as many different historical periods as we could,” said Jeff Fields, leader of the Centerville 4-H Capitol Learning Group. “Our students in the west are so removed from our country’s early history. I want them to know we are part of something big and important and they are a part of it,” said Fields, who is also history teacher at Centerville School.
The youth, along with their chaperones, visited sites in Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia and Boston June 23- 29. Trips to the Smithsonian and Holocaust museums, the White House, Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery and many memorials highlighted the nation’s capitol.
“I have great respect for those who built the monuments and the people who fought and served our country,” said 14-year old Daniel Bischoss. “Actually being there is a lot better than seeing movies and reading about it and it makes it more real,” added the Goldendale ninth grader.
While exploring the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial each student read a part of the “I Have a Dream” speech amidst the towering granite Mountain of Despair, Stone of Hope and Inscription Wall that surrounds the site.
At the Arlington National Cemetery two 4-H’ers were among the group selected to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony for the Unknown Soldiers. Students also did rubbings of the names of the Klickitat County veterans whose names were engraved at the Vietnam Memorial.
In New York the group visited Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial, Times Square and Central Park. Independence Hall highlighted their Philadelphia experience and, in Boston, trips to the Freedom Trail, the Plymouth Plantation and the sites of the battles of Lexington and Concord capped their historical tour.
“My hope that our kids understand we are part of a bigger picture and become more involved citizens,” said Fields. “That they understand we have a history, a responsibility, and the ability to effect change.”
http://www.klickitat.wsu.edu/4h.html
Posted August 2012
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