Communicating without words

During the first day of 4-H Day Camp, I had a heartwarming experience with one of the campers. While walking back from one of our many interesting tours during the two days at the Foundation, a young Dominican girl began walking beside me and speaking quickly in Spanish. I looked at her and tried to explain the best way I could that I could not speak much, or any, Spanish, considering I only said “No Espanol”. The young camper then responded with “No Ingles”, and then she grabbed my hand. Through the remainder of the walk, this girl held onto my hand and just walked with me. This experience, which would have been almost unnoticed by most, opened my eyes to the warm and welcoming hearts of the Dominican campers and counselors towards the 4-H counselors and adult chaperones.

Submitted by Gara McDaniel, Alleghany County

Second Day of Day Camp - Friday

The second day of camp was full of new experiences for the children and the counselors. We began by touring the vast Ecological Foundation. The worm farms were cherished by the children and the greenhouse plants were individually investigated by every camper. As we exited the first tour, we entered the second, which consisted of the Bee farm and the description of the Ridgeway Hawk project. This amazed the counselors and campers by showing pictures and allowing up close and personal experiences with the Hawks and Bees. Finally, swimming at the beach was a bit scary for the counselors because of the crowd of happy and hyper campers, however, once the smiles and laughter began to roll like the waves everyone knew it was worth it. Overall, the second (and last) day of camp was full of happy campers and emotional counselors who saw their newly found family leave on the bus back to their homes.

Submitted by Brandon Landes, Shenandoah County

First Day of 4-H Day Camp - Thursday

The first day of our 4-H Day Camp with the Dominican children went very well. Although the number of of children at Day Camp (39) was less than last year (64), I still think everything worked fine. At Day Camp, the kids had multiple activities, such as painting picture frames for the group photo and playing icebreaker games to let the kids and counselors get to know each other. Also, the kids and counselors were able to go on a tour of the iguana preserve and the ranch here at the Foundation.

                

While the campers were participating in the activities throughout the day, I noticed that, although sometimes chaotic, they were excited and happy to be at Day Camp doing all of these crafts, tours and games. The campers were painting and coloring different crafts like the picture frames, drums, and other small games. The icebreaker games were also successful since the campers played along and had fun.

                

Throughout the tours of the iguanas and the ranch at the Foundation, the campers were engaged with the animals. They were trying to look at everything they could while being there, even though we had a limited amount of time. While looking at the iguanas, nobody was able to go into the preserve because there were eggs, but a worker brought a baby iguana out for the kids and counselors to see.

The first day of 4-H Day Camp was filled with excitement, energy, and activities that the campers and counselors were able to enjoy together. I can’t wait to start our second day of Day Camp and let the campers enjoy another great day at camp.

Submitted by Gara McDaniel, Alleghany Co.

Team Building and Day Camp Prep Day

Today was amazing, we started by going to the Ecological Foundation and meeting the Dominican teens. Most of which were my friends last year, so we just picked up where we left off. I am excited too for the 4-H Day Camp tomorrow because I know how rewarding it was last year. Today, I got to see just how many supplies we brought to donate to the three Dominican schools. I am excited to be able to give back to these children, I know they take this camp as a privilege so we all have to work to make it amazing for them. Today was more laid back and a get to know you time, but we are all ready for tomorrow!

Contributed by Chandler Estep, Shenandoah Co.

Travel - a Day of "Firsts" for Grace and Rae

This was my first time flying on a plane and leaving the country. At first, I was nervous, then I saw the view through the window and was shocked at how beautiful it looked. I don’t remember much of the plane ride because I had fallen asleep. The plane’s decent into Punta Cana, however, caused me to have motion sickness, but if I closed my eyes the headache and stomach ache would leave. When first getting off of the plane I was hit with a heat wave which made me sweat pretty bad. Besides the heat and continuous sweating, it is absolutely beautiful here. So far, I’ve made a few friendships, and I’m having a great time. The Westin resort is amazing and gorgeous. At this point, I would totally come back on the trip because my experience so far is great. I also can’t wait to learn more about the Dominican Republic and its people and to help out at day camp with the children.

Submitted by Grace Gibson, 

Alleghany Co.

I’m going tell you about my travel to the Dominican Republic. The day of my flight to the Dominican Republic was fun, scary and exciting all at that the same time. I’ve never been in an airport or plane before so everything was everywhere. During the takeoff I cried like a baby. I’m going to tell everything truthfully.  I was so scared and I didn’t know what to do. My new friend Gara was letting me hold her hand which I was truly happy about. I don’t want to go back in the air for a long time.  

As we were going over the water and land I was thinking what my second mom told to look out for, whales. I kept on trying to look for whales I’m not sure if I saw them or not, but I think I did.  I saw so many tiny islands on the way there, the light colored water showing next to the deep blue water. It was beautiful.  I saw some islands with people living on them.  I can tell you one thing - it was a boring flight.  

When we got to our island I was so amazed by how it looked and the island was so green and so full of life. I was so happy to get on the ground I wanted to kiss it so badly and just walk the whole time. The bus was so tiny, when I mean tiny it's just the aisle. Its not that big of problem, I just couldn’t get my belly through.

I saw so many plants, I want to take home and keep. When we got to the resort I was wide eyed and I was ready for the beach. It was amazing, we got checked in and I was ready to go. The sand was so white and there was a lot of seaweed, but it’s the ocean. I’ve only been to the beach twice in my life and I got to go on a beach that was completely new to me. I collected some sea shells.  What I thought was sad about the ocean there was that there’s so much dead coral on shore, I’m glad that were going to the place where they grow new coral. 

After the beach I went to the pool. The pool is cool.  It has a hot tub and infinity pool above the other pool. Just everything here so far is amazing, just amazing. I met some of the Dominican teens as well and they were so nice.  They are teaching me and helping me with learning Spanish. This will make me want to come every year.

 Submitted by Rae Rush, Shenandoah Co.

Fundraising - Shenandoah Co. 4-H Style!

It has taken a village to be able to fund this program, and the group of 4-H'ers who are participating in it this year.  I have worked most closely with the Shenandoah County 4-H'ers as they have planned and worked many fundraising events this year.  Most of them also have after-school and summer jobs to also help them with funding.

The five Shenandoah Co. 4-H'ers set some fundraising goals and started with a letter writing campaign asking for donations.  They have offered to share their experiences through a powerpoint program after they return for any groups that would like to learn more about this program.  Other fundraisers have included a paint party, several bake sales, ice cream sales,  Thirty-One and  Lemongrass Parties and they staffed a few other opportunities to receive donations. 

Thank you to the following individual donors, and thank you to the  many other donors who dropped money in donation jars for this program.  Not only have  you made it possible for these 4-H'ers to have an international experience, but you have also fostered teamwork and leadership skill development as they learned how to plan and conduct these fundraisers themselves.  I know they will truly appreciate this program since they have worked so hard to be able to participate.

Shenandoah Co. 4-H All Stars

Janet Frye

The Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company

Raymond and Judy Powell

Lawrence and Anne Page

Ortts Electric Inc.
Mowery Orchard, LLC

Curtis and Natalie Roy

WL and Dolores Bushong

Markley's Auto Service

Cabin Hill Homes, LLC

Donna and Jimmy Rhodes

Kibler Farms

Shenandoah Co. 4-H Council

Maur-Brook-Olive Ruritan Club

Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative

Wesley Chapel FCE Club

Emanuel Lutheran Church

Reformation Lutheran Church

Shenandoah Co. Farm Bureau

Tractor Supply Company

Stephanie Case

South Street Barn Market

Michael and Susan St. Amand

Conicville Fire Department

Lutricia Wooldridge-Lopez

Becky Gray-Hallock

Shenandoah Co. Adult Dairy Club

Hilary Gustave

Alice Chang

David Hughes

Kim Eaton 

Holtzman Oil Corporation

Woodstock Young Farmers

Why am I participating in this program?

The 2018 Virginia 4-H/Dominican Republic participants have a variety of reasons for wanting to participate.

James Eaton, 17, wants to learn more about how the people who live in the Dominican Republic interact with each other.  He wants to experience gatherings, language, food - he's into it all.  James is a  member of the New Market 4-H Club and the 4-H Honor Club in Shenandoah County.  James shows dairy cattle and market hogs at the County Fair.

Chandler Estep, 16, was a part of this program in 2017 and he recruited several participants for the program this year.  Chandler participates as a 4-H Camp Counselor in Shenandoah County.  This year he wants to experience the Dominican culture again and immerse himself in the generosity of the people of Punta Cana.  He also wants to focus on the people who make this trip possible, and those in the DR who give us so much.  Chandler wants to experience the joy of helping the children again, so this trip for him is all about focusing on his tasks but still having fun.  He wants the Dominican people to know that we are more than just tourists, but people who are willing and able to help.

Catherine Klinkam, 14, is joining the program from Loudoun County, where she is a member of 6 4-H Clubs and has chosen to miss most of her County Fair to travel to the Dominican Republic.  Catherine wants to learn more about the Dominican and Hispanic culture and her goals are to learn and appreciate the culture while serving the community and teaching children about our culture.  The most important thing she wants to do is service because there are people all around the world who are less privileged than she is, and she would like to use her privilege to help others.

Raelynn Rush, 16, is an experienced, enthusiastic, Shenandoah Co. 4-H Camp Counselor.  Raelynn is excited about the 4-H Day Camp we will conduct in the Dominican Republic.  While we are there, she wants to learn so many things - Spanish, food, culture, everything.  Raelynn knows life in America is different than in the DR.  She wants to learn about the kids and what they like about our program.  She wants them to have a fun time and she wants to see lots of smiles.  Raelynn also wants to see as much nature as she can, including tropical plants and the coral reef.  She has only been to the beach twice in her life, when she was very young, so she is also excited to learn more about the ocean on this trip.

Danny Cayelli, 18, is making his third trip to the Dominican Republic through 4-H.  Danny is from Fairfax County and is fluent in Spanish.  He uses his excellent translation skills to help everyone learn and understand each other throughout the program.  Danny's goals for this year are to make new friends, come out of his shell and provide a positive camp experience to the Dominican campers attending our 4-H Camp.  He also wants to work on his merengue, salsa and bachata dancing skills!

Rory Nansel, 4-H volunteer from Shenandoah County, has previously chaperoned 4-H teens on month-long trips to Japan and Finland, and week-long trips to the Dominican Republic.  He enjoys witnessing 4-H'ers grow as they go through so many new experiences, and expand their world while still being grounded in their roots.

Carol Nansel, Shenandoah Co. 4-H Agent, has previously chaperoned 4-H teens on a 5 week trip to Japan and she helped establish this 4-H Dominican Republic Program in 2006.  She enjoys watching the 4-H teens grow in their leadership and world citizenship skills each year.  Many lifelong friendships have been established, and much cultural understanding has taken place over the past 13 years.  End of program evaluations from the 4-H'ers show that this program is truly a life-changing experience for them.