Dear 4-H International Program Exchange Participants & Applicants, Host Families, Partners, and Friends –
I am very disappointed to inform you that continuing pandemic circumstances and uncertainty about future health conditions require that we cancel our Wisconsin 4-H International Exchange programs for 2022. I am very disappointed after the amount of youth, volunteer, and staff work that has gone into preparing for restarting international travel and hosting opportunities for 4-H youth. And, the greatest loss is the opportunity for youth and families to experience another culture.
Please know that Wisconsin 4-H and UW-Madison’s Division of Extension continue to support future international youth opportunities and that we recognize that these programs are valuable to youth participants, families, and communities, and are well-organized with a strong safety track record. This confidence will serve us well in future years, but, unfortunately, there is still too much uncertainty about international health situations to make a commitment for 2022.
We will continue our 4-H programming focused on global citizenship and building international connections while we await the time when we can return to international travel.
Sincerely,
Matt Calvert
Wisconsin 4-H Program Leader