Citizenship Washington Focus is an opportunity for 4-H youth (age 14-19) to spend an entire week in Washington, D.C., including a stop in Gettysburg.

4-H Citizenship Washington Focus, June 21-27, 2025

4-H Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) participants learn about our nation's government by participating in hands-on leadership workshops and touring of historical sites in Washington, D.C. Michigan 4-H CWF participants will travel by charter bus to Washington, D.C. visiting the 9/11 Memorial in Pennsylvania and stopping overnight in Gettysburg. While in Gettysburg, youth will visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and travel the battlefields with a licensed tour guide. 

4-H CWF groups stay at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. and travel to all of the sites of the area including Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Capitol, Iwo Jima Memorial, and the White House. Participants will also visit the Smithsonian Museums, Toby's Dinner Theatre, and the Holocaust Museum. Participants will tour the Capitol and meet with legislators and visit hearings on Capitol Hill Day.

4-H CWF participants attend leadership workshops and work as a group to write and pass bills. Participants also explore ways they can become advocates for local issues that are important to them. 

Michigan 4-H CWF is limited to 40 participants. Please contact your local MSU Extension office if you are interested in attending the program. The cost of the 2025 4-H CWF program will be approximately $2,000.00 - $2,500.00 which includes all meals (except 7 meals in transit), lodging and transportation. 

2025 4-H CWF Payment Schedule

Check with your county MSU Extension office for scholarship opportunities before completing the registration. Payments must be made with credit card online or paid by check to Michigan State University and returned to your county MSU Extension office by deadlines below. Payments must include information: 4-H CWF, county name, names of participants and amount for each participant. Send check payments to Liana Pepin, Marquette County MSU Extension, 184 US Hwy 41 East, Negaunee, MI 49866.

The total cost for CWF is approximately $2,000.00 - $2,500.00

  • March 2025: Full payment due by the end of March. Cancellations received after April 1, 2025 will not be refunded, unless a substitute is found. 

Staff:  Staff should reserve space by contacting Liana Pepin at deisenro@msu.edu. Payments must be made with credit card online or paid by check payable to Michigan State University and sent to 4-H CWF, Liana Pepin, Marquette Co. MSU Extension, 184 US Hwy 41 East, Negaunee, MI 49866. Payments can be made from MSU Accounts also. Please include the “2025 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Payment Form with check or account payments.

Accommodations

Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact at the time of registration. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Contact Information

For program information please contact Liana Pepin.  

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