Why am I participating in this program?

The 2017 Virginia 4-H - Dominican Republic participants

have a variety of reasons for wanting to participate.

Derek Bowlin, age 15, signed up for this program because it seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity that he couldn't pass up.  He has been to the Dominican Republic before, but only experienced the resort life.  Derek hopes to use his Spanish and be able to understand more of their living and their culture, and help out in the community.

Rachael Bowlin, age 17, also thinks this a once in a lifetime opportunity and wants to learn more Spanish while she is there.  She wants to learn more about the Dominican culture and finds it interesting to see and learn about cultures other than her own.

Danny Cayelli, 17, participated in this program last year.  He is fluent in Spanish and wants to learn to be a better interpreter and to work on his leadership and communication skills this year.  Danny also wants to create a fun and safe learning environment for the Dominican kids attending the 4-H Day Camp.  He would also like to learn to be a better merengue dancer!

Chandler Estep, 15, wants to learn more about himself through this program.  He wants to experience life outside Shenandoah County and learn how other people live.  Being able to help the children is his primary reason for participating.  Chandler likes giving a helping hand to people who need it.

Michaela Miller, 19,has been on this program once before and says once was just not enough.  She had the best time interacting with the Dominican teens and children, spending a week in a foreign country and working with others to serve those who don't have the same privileges we enjoy in America.  One thing she learned from her previous trip is that verbal communication does not have to be the only way you can talk with someone; even the use of simple hand gestures can be efficient.

Gabi Fream, 14, wants to broaden her horizons and to learn about a new culture.  She wants to speak Spanish with the Dominican children and teens and connect with both groups as much as possible.  Gabi feels like in the U.S., we often take advantage of what we have given to us.  When there isn't much to give, we have greater opportunity for work and improvement.

Gara McDaniel, 16, wants to help the kids in the Dominican Republic.  She wants to experience another culture and see how the Dominicans live day to day in their villages and market places.  Her personal goal for this week is to help and provide a few fun days for the kids and to improve the conditions by cleaning up their communities.

Ivy Warnell, 17, would like to learn a lot of new things and have fun while doing service activities.  She wants to be able to work with people from a different culture and practice her ability to speak and understand Spanish with these people. 

Carter Adcock, 17, is returning to the Dominican Republic after participating in this program in 2015 because she felt that her experience was life changing and she wants to expand on that.  She says the amount that we can learn from these children is limitless.

Rory Nansel, 4-H volunteer, has previously chaperoned 4-H teens on trips to Japan, Finland and 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 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 12 years.  End of program evaluations from the 4-H'ers show that this program is truly a life-changing experience for them.