RAPID CITY - Harney Little Leaguer Jackson McGough may not just yet fully grasp just how big a deal his trip to the White House's South Lawn to play a game of tee-ball may be, but his parents are certain that he will definitely grow to appreciate the experience.

"For Jackson only being 6 years old, he's young but it's one of those experiences that he'll remember for the rest of his life," Jackson's father, Jason, said. "He gets an autographed baseball from the president and a tour of the White House, plus it's both of their (Jackson and older brother, Logan) first time flying. It's just huge excitement."

Jackson was one of 51 tee-ballers from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to be selected to the "all-star" game on July 16 in which players were nominated by someone within their league before navigating a nomination process that went all the way up to Little League International in Williamsport, Penn., to be named the representative for his or her state. Jackson was one of three players from Harney Little League alone to be nominated for the honor.

Jackson is like most first-graders in that he's a little shy around strangers but he's matter-of-fact when he says what he's going to do when he gets out to the nation's capital.

"Just play some ball," Jackson said before his father asked him what else he had told the family earlier. "And hit a home run."

There's no doubt that a home run would make an already once-in-a-lifetime experience that much better, but the build-up from Jackson's selection to the game to when the family leaves on Monday, July 14 has already been one big adrenaline rush for everyone in the house. The week isn't just a game on Wednesday, either. The McGoughs plan on spending Monday-Friday in the capital with activities from tours to a special picnic on the White House grounds to Jackson getting to meet President George W. Bush.

"We're really excited," Jackson's mother, Heather, said. "It is pretty awesome that he gets to represent South Dakota."

Even Jackson's older brother Logan, 8, is impressed. "Pretty cool," he said when asked what he thought of the trip.

"(Logan) just thinks it's cool that we're going to get to walk around on the grounds of the White House," Jason said.

"Not too many people get to do that."

Heather said her older son was more interested about getting a look at the inner workings of the place, too.

"One of the first things Logan said was, 'Mom and Dad, are we going to get to go into the Oval Office?'" Heather said.

"I was like, no I don't really think so."

Still, Logan knows he might even owe his little brother the next time Jackson gets on his nerves, as all little brothers can do at times.

"We're all just super excited," Jason said. "It's a first for all of us and the chance of a lifetime. I mean, not everybody gets a chance to meet the president, so we're very excited about it."

And Jackson, whose favorite major leaguer is hometown hero Mark Ellis, will be just as excited, even if it takes him a couple more years to realize just how unique an experience he's about to have.