4-H Global Explorers

The NJ 4-H Global Explorers Program was created in 2023 and focuses on helping youth build global and cultural awareness through exploration and travel. The program is an outgrowth of the NJ 4-H Global and Cultural Engagement Taskforce and developed by Camden County 4-H Agent Sharon Kinsey.

Program Objectives

Youth will:

discover a new culture through travel and experiential learning.
demonstrate understanding and respect for other cultures.
increase their knowledge about global issues.
identify and communicate the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental factors of a global issue.

Program Description

In July 2024, youth and adult chaperones will travel to the Galapagos, an archipelago some 1,000 km from the coast of Ecuador. In preparation, participants will:

meet via Zoom once a month from January through June to learn about the Galapagos Islands. Guest speakers will share their knowledge about the islands, research they have conducted there, learning and observation in nature, and nature photography.
research an aspect of the Galapagos to address social, cultural, economic and environmental issues present there.
meet in person in May 2024 where youth participants will present their research findings.
plan and present a webinar for fellow 4-H members in Fall 2024.

Dates of Webinars

Wed., Jan. 24, 2024, 7-8 p.m. – Welcome, Intros and Program Overview
Wed., Feb. 28, 2024, 7-8 p.m. – Guest Speaker on the Galapagos
Wed., Mar. 20, 2024, 7-8 p.m. – Guest Speaker
Wed., Apr. 17, 2024, 7-8 p.m. – Guest Speaker
Thurs., June 6, 2024, 7-8 p.m. – Final Preparations for travel

In-Person Orientation and Participant Presentations

Wed., May 15, 2024, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
RCE of Mercer County, 1440 Parkside Ave., Ewing, NJ

Itinerary

Participants will travel first to Quito, Ecuador and then continue by plane to Baltra Island, followed by boat rides to the neighboring islands of Sant Cruz Island, Isabela Island and San Cristóbal Island. Highlights of this educational tour include:

Tour of Quito, excursion to the equatorial line, visit Intiñan Museum
Baltra Island – Twin Craters
Santa Cruz Island - highlands to see wild tortoises, Charles Darwin Research Station and Tortuga Bay
Isabela Island – pink flamingo habitat and tortoise breeding center
San Cristóbal Island

For More Info

Michelle Teitsma
teitsma@njaes.rutgers.edu
908-475-6502

A Snapshot of the Galapagos

The Galapagos archipelago is located about 1,000 km from continental Ecuador and is composed of 127 islands, islets and rocks, of which 19 are large and 4are inhabited. 97% of the total emerged surface (7,665,100 ha) was declared National Park in 1959.

According to UNESCO, the Galapagos Islands and its immense marine reserve is known as the unique 'living museum and showcase of evolution.' Its geographical location at the confluence of three ocean currents makes it one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflects the processes that formed the islands. These processes, together with the extreme isolation of the islands, led to the development of unusual plant and animal life—such as marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, giant tortoises, huge cacti, endemic trees and the many different subspecies of mockingbirds and finches—all of which inspired Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection following his visit in 1835.

Source: whc.unesco.org/en/list/1/