Georgia 4-H


2011 4-H Global Citizenship & Environmental Experience in Puerto Rico
Slideshow of 2011 Pictures

Once again, Georgia 4-H sent a team of students to Puerto Rico through the 4-H Global Citizenship and Environmental Experience. Georgia 4-H’ers that took part in this year’s trip had an opportunity to experience a different culture and environment while spending time with other youth from Puerto Rico.

First on the agenda for this trip was a flight into San Juan, Puerto Rico. Next, 4-H’ers had the opportunity to practice life-skills including budgeting, planning, and group decision making as they visited a local grocery store. Students were divided into groups, given a budget and tasked with planning healthy, economical meals.

	The crew then traveled southeast to Humacao where they would spend the first two nights in government run villas. While there, students had the opportunity to interact with Puerto Rican youth and adults who were vacationing in the area. Team members had an opportunity to play basketball and dominos and sing songs with their new friends. One young boy, Andres, was particularly engaging. Connor Dunn, Tift County 4-H’er learned something about himself during the interactions, stating, “After spending time with Andres, I realize that I want to be fluent in Spanish.”

During their first full day in Puerto Rico, students took a three hour hike through El Yunque National Forest. Along the way, they learned about the flora and fauna that live in the rain forest and swam beneath a beautiful waterfall. One 4-Her stated, “Before this trip, I didn’t know that El Yunque was the only tropical rain forest in the U.S.” (Within the United States National Forest System, El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest).

	Returning from their hike, team members learned about the Spanish language and Caribbean culture in preparation for their upcoming adventures. After another night’s stay in Humacao, the crew traveled west to Maricao where they would have an opportunity to see more of Puerto Rico’s diverse environment. It was in Maricao that students spent time on mountains and in caves. One team member said, “It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen,” while another stated, “it was something I would never have done on my own.”

The trip was only halfway complete when the team traveled to the Island of Vieques, where a ferry ride was required for their trip. It was during their time on Vieques that students experienced the Bioluminescent Bay. Following this amazing experience, one team member explained what he had learned, “A type of plankton called dinoflagellates produce the light we see at night in Bio Bay which is caused when they are disturbed by movement.”

	After another day and night worth of adventures and tours of the island, students prepared to return to San Juan.

Team members spent their final afternoon in Old San Juan to soak up the last bit of Puerto Rico before returning home.

Fortunately for each team member, their experiences had been vast and detailed throughout their time during this trip. 4-H specialist, Jeff Buckley, described the experience as, “An opportunity to e experience environmental science through the exploration of a variety of tropical ecosystems while learning about the lifestyles of people in other cultures.” The trip was a great success and all team members now carry with them new memories and experiences from their time spent together in a new place. Dr. Bo Ryles summed up the trip as, “The most comprehensive positive youth development and educational event I have participated in 4-H in my 40 years.” Georgia 4-H hopes to offer another Global Citizenship and Environmental Experience in the summer of 2013. For more information contact Jeff Buckley at the State 4-H Office, 706-542-4H4H.