Ten 4-H teens traveled to Puerto Rico last month for an eight-day immersive experience that gave them the opportunity to learn more about the culture and landscape of the country.
The group spent part of their time in the mountain town of Castañer and the rest in the capital of San Juan. Each location provided unique experiences for the 4-H members.
Since the trip took place during Thanksgiving, members joined Puerto Rican families for Thanksgiving dinner, where they enjoyed both familiar food and Puerto Rican dishes.
During the trip, the group hiked in the mountains and toured a farm where they learned how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed. They also had the opportunity to meet with local 4-H members.
Team building and personal development were important aspects of the trip, according to Steve Brady, 4-H educator from Warren County who has been leading cultural immersion trips to Puerto Rico since 2015. “This was the quietest group I’ve ever had,” he said. “But by day three or four, they were laughing constantly.” The group developed close ties by stepping out of their comfort zone to explore new areas,
by working together to cook dinner, and sharing evening reflections.
Brady plans to continue hosting the immersion trip each year. For more information, contact Steve Brady at brady.111@osu.edu.