Campfires, talent shows, games, and mock legislative session? Youth Citizenship and Leadership Camp

Fast Facts:

Camp to teach youths about civics and leadership skills is June 22-27
Open for youths ages 13-17; free
Held at Arkansas 4H Center, 1 Four H Way, Little Rock, AR 72223
For info, contact Stacey McCullough at 501-671-2078

(322 words)

LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas youths ages 13-17 are invited to broaden their knowledge about government structure, develop leadership skills, and become an engaged citizen through a free six-day camp held from June 22-27.

Besides from the normal fun camping activities such as talent shows and campfires, campers will tour the state Capitol, do a mock legislative session, and write a bill, among other things.

“People need to learn about this at a younger age,” said Stacey McCullough, assistant director of the Public Policy Center at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

This age group is old enough to grasp some of the civics concepts and to understand things that they wish could have done differently, she added.

The brand new Youth Citizenship and Leadership Program is a collaboration of the 4-H Youth Development and the Community & Economic Development at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and is funded by general improvement funds allocated by legislators.

Camp’s takeaways:

By the end of the six-day overnight camp, campers are expected to have good understanding on how the local and state government works, how civic life is more than just politics, and how important it is to become an engaged citizen.

Not only that attendees will learn from guest speakers and do mock legislative session, but they will also be touring the state Capitol, the Justice Building, and do service activity at Boyle park.

During the sessions, youths can about state government structure, and how it works, as well as team building and service skills.

Being an engaged citizen is important because it trains youths to step out of their comfort zone, something that is harder to be taught to an adult, McCullough said.

The six-day camp is free and is held at the Arkansas 4H center, 1 Four H Way, Little Rock, AR 72223. To RSVP and learn more about the citizenship and leadership camp, contact Stacey McCullough at 501-671-2078.

4-H is a youth development program conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. The 4-H mission is to provide opportunities for youth to acquire knowledge, develop life skills, form attitudes, and practice behavior that will enable them to become self directing, productive, and contributing members of society.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

By Kezia Nanda
Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

Related Links