From left to right: Kimberly Walker, Bryce Hayes, Morgan Campbell and Emily Weiss in Old Town Sacramento. Courtesy photo.

SACRAMENTO – Local 4-Hers Morgan Campbell, Bryce Hayes, Kimberly Walker, Emily Weiss and chaperone Karen Hayes attended 4-H “Cal Focus” in Sacramento from June 22 to June 26.

The trip offered the club members a chance to learn how the government works. They were part of a group of over 95 4-H members and leaders who came from many different areas of California to participate in the five-day event.

California Focus is a unique 4-H citizenship experience that combines hands-on participation in workshops, debates and simulations with outstanding speakers and visits to historical, cultural and governmental sites. California’s capital city becomes a “living classroom” for these five days. They did this by becoming registered voters of a mock state of “Sierra Cascade” and joining political parties of “Grizzly Bears” and “Golden Eagles” to help delegates learning through doing.

They participated in political campaigns, elected constitutional officers, created legislation, saw a Broadway musical and toured the California Supreme Court, State Capitol and Old Town Sacramento.

They also met with state Sen. Patricia Wiggins, conducted a mock trial and participated in a legislative action simulation discussing the problem of youth violence in schools.

They all enjoyed the trip and made friends from all over California while learning about the government.

4-H Youth Development is a program of the University of California Cooperative Extension. For more information on the 4-H program contact U.C. Cooperative Extension, 883 Lakeport Blvd., Lakeport, CA 95453, (707) 263-6838.

Kimberly Walker is a member of the Citizenship/Leadership 4-H Club.

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