Delaware and Colorado - Quite a Match

What could be more fun than a whipped cream fight at a picnic with eighteen 4-Hers and an array of parents and leaders? The simple answer is five days of fun with eighteen 4-Hers from two different states!

Not only were there lots of laughs to be had during the week that 4-H youth and chaperones visited Douglas County, Colorado, from Sussex County, Delaware, but there was ample learning taking place too. The Delaware 4-Hers learned about everything from Colorado wildlife and Mexican food to altitude sickness and what timberline is. Colorado 4-Hers had great fun learning new 4-H songs like "The Beaver Song" and making new friends.

In addition to spending time with their Colorado host families, Delaware delegates took a three day excursion with their new Colorado friends to the Rocky Mountains. They toured Rocky Mountain National Park, rode an alpine slide, soaked in hot springs, participated in a chuck wagon dinner and ride, toured Georgetown, ate at Casa Bonita, and took pictures of many different kinds of wildlife. Marmots and mountain sheep seemed to be at the top of the list of "Ooooo, look at that" species!

There were some tears when the new friends departed, but that will make the reunion next summer even sweeter. Nine Douglas County 4-Hers will travel to Delaware next summer for an amazing cultural learning experience. Of course there will be a day at the beach, but some of the other possibilities include a side trip to Washington, D.C., visiting local Delaware historical sites, going crabbing, or even doing some kind of event with trucks in mud bogs! Be assured - there will probably be another whipped cream fight.

4-H Exchange is a two year commitment for Douglas County 4-Hers. If you think you might be interested, talk to Mary at the the 4-H Office about possibilities of joining the exchange program in 2010.

Thanks for reading.

Mary Baldwin