Where’s the best place to find a super
4-Her? 4-H summer camp, of course!
The blustery February weather hasn’t
stopped our camp staff from preparing fun-filled activities for summer
2013! For the 3rd year now, I
have the opportunity to serve as a counselor at the Northwest Regional 4-H Summer
Camp. After our recent camp-planning
meeting, I found myself reminiscing about great times with friends, camp songs,
skits, canoe rides, and hikes! I have made
some good memories and met many of my best friends at camp. I eagerly anticipate heading of to camp again
this June!
Summer
camp is a place to learn, have fun, gain confidence, and make new friends.
What
do we learn at summer camp? Each year camp has a theme and there are plenty of
workshops based that theme. For
instance, last year our theme was “The Science of Motion”. We built and set in
motion propellers for a wind turbine that generated energy. Other themes or
workshops from past camps include nature sciences, where we learn about the
environment and what can be harmful and what is healthy for it. While learning
this campers were able to canoe across a river, hike to a waterfall, and swim
in the pool of water beneath it. Past workshops
were also designed to teach life skills, such as teamwork, cooking, swimming,
safety, healthy living, and leadership.
Although
we do a lot of learning at camp, it isn’t entirely about business. There’s
plenty of fun to be had, and 4Hers definitely know how to have a good time! Every morning there are early bird
activities, where campers can swim, dance, or play other team sports. After we
eat, we sing some pretty awesome camp songs to keep everyone excited! If
there’s ever any down time that gets too boring, the counselors know plenty of
group games that can be played in a moments notice. The senior counselors who
teach the workshops are very enthusiastic, and make learning fun for everyone
involved. There are no lectures, just hands on learning. Most campers will tell
you that one of their favorite times is when groups put on skits that they’ve
created. You never know what unique
characters may appear!
While
enjoying camp, 4-Hers may be unaware they are also heightening their communication,
teamwork, problem solving, and decision making skills. That’s because they are having a great time
while doing so! Not only that, many
parents say that they feel their son or daughter is more independent and
responsible due to their camp experience. It’s always a good thing to make your
parents happy, right? Perhaps the most
significant benefit from the camping experience is making wonderful, new
friends!
“Riding
the Waves” is the theme for the 2013 Northwest Regional Camp. There we plan to surround ourselves with
activities regarding waves of light, sound, and of course of water! Be on the lookout for the camp brochure and
don’t miss the sign up dates! If you
are not in that part of the state, check with your extension agent or look at
your area 4-H newsletter for more information about when, where, and the theme
of your area 4-H summer camp. 4-H camp
is definitely a worthwhile experience that you don’t want to miss!
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