Citizenship Washington Focus Scholarship Information

Would you like to go to Washington D.C.?

Would you like to meet 4-H’ers from other parts of the country?

Do you want to use a hands-on approach to learn about our government?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you should apply for one of the Cumberland County 4-H Leader’s Association Scholarships to attend Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF). CWF is a week-long experience in Washington D.C. While in D.C. you will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center.  You will learn how to develop communication and planning skills, discover your role and responsibilities as a citizen and learn about our government. You will also visit with Maine’s congressional delegation, spend a day on Capitol Hill and tour other D.C. landmarks.  You will have fun! Comments from 4-H’ers who have attended CWF:

  • “It was a blast!”
  • “Best 4-H trip.”
  • “One of the most exciting things I’ve done in 4-H.”

The CWF trip will be June 20 – June 27, 2024. A mandatory statewide orientation will be held sometime before the trip.  The deadline to submit your application is Friday, February 9, 2024, by 4:30PM to the UMaine Extension Cumberland County Office (75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, Maine 04105.

Interviews will be conducted with members of the Cumberland County 4-H Leaders Association Awards Committee on the evening of Tuesday, February 13, 2024, between 5:30PM and 8:00PM in Falmouth. You will need to schedule your interview time with Allison Pollock when you turn in your application. Please carefully follow the directions on the CWF application and make sure to include your 4-H Portfolio, Leader Recommendation, and Essay when you turn in your application. Decisions will be announced in a letter in late March/early April.

If you need help with this application process, would like someone to review and assist with your portfolio, or would like a mock interview practice session, please contact Allison at 1.800.287.1471 or 781.6099 or by e-mail allison.pollock@maine.edu, the sooner the better!

We encourage everyone who is interested in attending CWF to apply for financial assistance for the trip. If you receive a scholarship, it is important that you make a commitment to attend the trip as space is limited.  You can only apply for a Leaders Association CWF Scholarship if you will be 14 years old by January 1, 2024. Please note scholarship recipients are asked to pay $50 towards the cost of this trip. More details about payment will be sent to all scholarship recipients with the acceptance letter.