Justin Light, Ada seventh grader and member of the Liberty Belles and Boys 4-H Club, will take the trip of a lifetime on Saturday, according to Mark Light, Hardin County 4-H Educator.

He is among two Hardin County 4-H members traveling to Washington, D.C., to attend the presidential inauguration.

The other Hardin County student is Jordan Furer, a Ridgemont High School sophomore who is a member of the Country Timers 4-H Club.

“4-H members from across Ohio will join together on Jan. 19 to travel to Washington, D.C., to experience an exciting time in our nation’s history,” Light told The Ada Icon.

“During this four-day trip, 4-H’ers will have the opportunity to tour national monuments and museums; participate in educational programs focused on government and history; and attend the 57th presidential inauguration on Jan. 21.

Participants on the trip will stay at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Carolyn Belczyk, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development in Adams County and one of the trip planners said, “The inauguration is a perfect time to spark a youth’s interest in government and history. What better way to learn about government and history, but to take a road trip and live it?”

Two buses will take the 4-H members to Washington D.C. Generous sponsors helped reduce the cost of the trip. Funding from the Ohio 4-H Foundation’s Sam Cashman Family 4-H Endowment, the Richard B. and Nancy E. Stahl Family 4-H Endowment, and Hardin County 4-H Council helped defray trip expenses for the youth representing Hardin County.

While in Washington D.C., Ohio’s 4-H’ers will have the opportunity to get to know each other through activities planned by trip organizers. A day of sight-seeing and a twilight tour of monuments and memorials will highlight Sunday.

On Monday, members will have the chance to watch the swearing in ceremony. A special Inauguration Ball just for the Ohio 4-H members will be held Monday evening at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center located in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

This experience is being planned by a team of Ohio 4-H professionals including Mark Light, Hardin County 4-H Extension Educator, Robin Stone, Program Coordinator, Carolyn Belczyk, Extension Educator, 4-H, Adams County, and Nadine Fogt, Extension Educator, 4-H, Fayette County.

About 4-H
4-H is a non-formal educational, youth development program offered to young people age 5 and in kindergarten to age 19.  Youth can participate in 4-H through clubs, camps, schools, and short-term experiences.

Members develop life skills while taking one or projects annually to learn about animals, computers, public speaking, cooking, art, gardening, environmental sciences, and much more.  According to the Ohio 4-H Program, “All 4-H programs focus on active involvement and quality experiences which stimulate lifelong learning of values and skills.”  For more information about 4-H, contact 419-674-2297.