Seven Oregon 4-H members have been selected to join a delegation of 30 youth and five adult chaperones that will travel to Mongolia this summer through a leadership program developed by the University of Wyoming 4-H Youth Development Program in partnership with the Mongolian 4-H Youth Organization. The Oregon 4-H Youth Development Program is a cooperator with this cultural immersion opportunity.
Youth were selected through an application and interview process from the 13-state western region of the land-grant universities Cooperative Extension System. The finalists selected are from Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Enhancing Global Perspectives in Youth is funded by a $267,434 grant from the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service. The Mongolian group is in the country’s capital, Ulaanbaatar.
The group will leave June 16 and return July 15.
“The program will provide an opportunity for students to experience firsthand knowledge of foreign cultures and to collaborate on solving global natural resource and environmental issues,” said Warren Crawford, youth development specialist with Wyoming 4-H. Crawford, along with Kim Reaman, Wyoming state 4-H volunteer management specialist, will also accompany the group.
For most of the stay, the delegates will live with a Mongolian host family and experience the Mongolian way of life. The delegation will also be learning about environmental issues such as renewable energy, water quality and land restoration and reclamation.
In addition, youth will participate in community service projects in and around the capital city of Ulaanbaatar and attend the Mongolian festival of Naadam.
Oregon youth delegates are:
Emily Cackler, Buxton in Washington County—a student at Banks High School Nicholas Morales, Medford in Jackson County—a student at South Medford High School Erynne van Zee, Corvallis in Benton County—a student at Crescent Valley High School Michael Boggess, Corvallis in Benton County—a student at Crescent Valley High School Samuel Greydanus, Corvallis in Benton County—a student at Crescent Valley High School Jaden Bales, Imbler, in Union County—a student at Imbler Charter Schools Shelby Worthing, Prineville, in Crook County—a student at Crook County High School
Zachary Lauritzen, Corvallis, a Social Studies teacher at Crescent Valley High School, is one of the five adult chaperones selected to accompany the delegation to Mongolia.
In support of the newly established 4-H program, the delegation will be taking children’s books, and horse helmets for use by the Mongolian 4-H Organization. Generous donations by the following groups, businesses, and individuals have provided these items for the Oregon delegates.
Horse helmets:
The Tack Box, Corvallis
Deschutes County 4-H Horse Leaders, Central Oregon Washington County 4-H Horse Leaders, Hillsboro
Books:
Carol Lauritzen, Professor of Education; Eastern Oregon University, LaGrande Three Rivers Community School students, Ontario
Questions?
Lillian Larwood
4-H Specialist-World Citizenship
4-H Youth Development Education
105 Ballard Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-3608
541-737-1316 (p)
541-737-1332 (f)
lillian.larwood@oregonstate.edu
