Expanding education with 4-H camps

The Houston County 4-H tradition of taking 4th to 12th grade youth and teenagers to Cloverleaf Camp is quickly expanding in terms of popularity and educational opportunities. Cloverleaf Camp for 2013 will be held at the historical Rock Eagle Center near Eatonton, Georgia. Junior Camp for 7th and 8th graders will be held at the Fortson Center in Atlanta, while Senior Camp for 9th to 12th graders will be held at the Jekyll Island Center.

All Houston County youth grades 4 to 12 are welcome to attend 4-H Camp and do not have to be current members of 4-H. Activities scheduled for the Cloverleaf Camp season include swimming, canoeing, and archery, among other events. Junior Campers will enjoy a trip to Six Flags and Stone Mountain. Senior Campers will gain an appreciation for marine life and ecosystems along the coast. 4-H Camp activities are based on promoting an appreciation of nature while encouraging both individual and team-based skills.

“We strive to provide a camp atmosphere that is both engaging and educational for our youth members. This year, we wanted camp members to gain an appreciation for nature while enjoying the outdoor environment,” says Vincent Thomas, the Houston County 4-H Program Assistant who will be a 4-H Camp Counselor for the 2013 camp season.

Participation in 4-H Camp can help build leadership skills in youth based on 4-H’s long tradition of fostering young adult leaders. Opportunities for teenagers to lead their peers include Teen Leader roles at camp and other 4-H events. Additionally, the vast majority of Georgia 4-H Camp Counselors are high-school Seniors or college students who were former members of 4-H.

Further, 4-H Camps provide opportunities for community leadership. Adult volunteers for this year’s camp season will include individuals who have participated in 4-H activities as youth members. All camp volunteers and counselors must pass a rigorous selection process to ensure ideal chaperones and ultimate safety for 4-H campers.

The cost and dates, as well as a simple registration form for each camp, can be found on the Houston County 4-H website at http://houston4h.org. For additional questions about the 4-H Camp season or other 4-H events, call the Houston County Extension Office at 478-987-2028. Registration for camp is on a “first-come, first-serve” basis and fills up quickly. Be sure to register soon to secure your space!

Dates to Remember:
April 13-14: Ask a Master Gardener booth at the Perry Dogwood Festival
April 27: Ham & Egg Breakfast, C.W. Pettigrew Center, FVSU
June 10-14: Junior 4-H Summer Camp, Fortson 4-H Center
July 1-5: Senior 4-H Summer Camp, Jekyll 4-H Center
July 8-12: Cloverleaf 4-H Summer Camp, Rock Eagle 4-H Center
For more information on any program area, contact Houston County Extension at 478-987-2028 or drop by our office in the old courthouse, downtown Perry, 801 Main Street. Office hours are 8:00-11:30 AM and 12:30-5 PM, Monday through Friday. Visit our website at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston/ for more news about your local Extension office.

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