by Prudence Caskey | Nov 16, 2018
Photo credit UF/IFAS Washington County
Black Friday is only a week away, but you can get one gift taken care of TODAY!
Making my list…checking it twice…adding 4-H Camp for a kid who’s been nice!
This holiday season, parents and grandparents get swamped with requests for the newest toys or gadgets. Does it drive you crazy? So, I have a suggestion for you. Give the gift of 4-H Camp this year.
Life skills to last a lifetime
I began attending 4-H summer camp when I was eight. As a new and eager 4-H member, I learned so many life skills I still use to this day – like making my bed, cleaning up after myself, helping others, learning to be an independent thinker and most of all, leadership. At the age of eight, I was a leader! I was only leading myself, but I was responsible for myself. As I grew in the 4-H program, I became a camp counselor leading other youth. 4-H camp taught me so many wonderful skills as a child, and I only thought I was having fun! 
Fun, adventure (and education, too)
When a child attends 4-H summer camp, their week is full of fun and adventure. Youth will learn to kayak, dance and even shoot a bow! Many of our youth experience new and exciting adventures like learning how to build a fire and even what “Ga-Ga Ball” is all about. In addition to all the “fun” stuff, 4-H camp teaches life skills, like how to get along with others, independence and leadership. If you have a teen in your family, 4-H camp provides leadership experiences that can help them with college scholarships and applications.
4-H Camp keeps on giving
We’ve all seen Christmas gifts go unused shortly after they are taken out of the box. The gift of 4-H camp will not go unused and will keep giving every year as your child, grandchild, niece or nephew grows in the 4-H program. Contact your local UF/IFAS County Extension Office and find out how to register the child on your list for 4-H Camp today.
by Melanie Taylor | Jun 8, 2018
Gulf and Franklin County campers shooting rockets at Camp Timpoochee in June 2017.
As the school year wraps up, you’re likely trying to fill up your child’s summer with fun and educational programs. Fortunately, you’ll find a variety of day and residential summer camps out there. Does the thought of sending your child to camp cause anxiety for your or your child? If so, let’ me give you some tips to eliminate those concerns.
First, summer day camps and residential camps can be some of the most memorable events in a child’s life. Some children make memories and friends that last a lifetime. But as a parent, you need to feel comfortable about the camp you send your child to.
When starting the camp selection process, begin with your child’s interests. Make sure you know the camp will provide activities that will enhance your child’s personality and maturity level. Including your child in the process will help them feel more secure and excited about what camp will offer them. This will also help get rid of some of their anxiety because they’ll know what to expect (especially if they have never attended camp before).
Here are questions recommended by the American Camping Association (ACA) to help you make the best summer camp decision.
Questions to Consider in Selecting a Residential Camp:
- What locale do I want to consider? (mountains, oceanfront, distance from home, etc)
- Do I want a traditional camp that gives my child a wide variety of experiences, or do I want to select a specialty camp that focuses on a particular activity or set of skills?
- What size enrollment will make my child feel comfortable?
- How rustic do I want the camp to be?
- How structured do I want the program to be? Does my child like to have lots of choice in the activity schedule?
- Is my child ready to sleep away from home for an extended stay? (This will help you to select either a resident or day camp setting.)
- What session length will appeal to my child and to our family plans for the summer? (One week? Eight weeks? Length of day?)
- How can I stay in touch with my child during camp? Does the camp allow mail, phone calls or e-mail? Does the camp have parent visitation days?
- How will the camp meet my child’s special dietary or physical needs?
- What is my budget for camp tuition? (Remember, many camps offer financial aid.)
Questions to Consider in Selecting a Day Camp:
Day camps offer experiences unique from residential camps. Because of this, there are specific points to consider when choosing a day camp – transportation, overnights, swimming lessons, food service, horseback riding, group pictures, t-shirts, extended care, field trips, etc.
- Does the American Camp Association accredit the camp? (ACA has specific standards applicable only for day camps.)
- What training does the staff receive on safety, supervision, counseling, problem solving and other issues unique to working with young children?
- Is the price all-inclusive or are there extra charges?
- If transportation is offered, where is the closest pick-up location?
- Does the camp have an “express bus” which transports children quickly?
- If before and after-camp extended care is offered, who is with the children and what activities take place?
- Is lunch served, or do campers bring their own sack lunch? Are snacks and drinks provided?
- If the camp offers swimming, are there swimming lessons, or is it simply recreational swimming?
- Are campers in a group with a counselor all day? Or, are campers free to go from one activity to another with appropriate supervision? In this case, who would you talk to if you had a question or concern about your child?
- Is an open house offered before camp starts where you can meet your child’s counselor and van/bus driver?
- Are parents allowed to drop by for visits or is there a special parent visitation day?
Along with the above questions, you should also know that in the state of Florida, summer camps are not inspected or regulated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This makes it even more important for parents to gather information about the quality and safety of the program on their own. Parents should check to see if they are welcome to visit and observe the camp in action or attend activities with their child at any given time including water activities.
DCF suggests you ask these questions:
- What the programs health, safety and nutrition policies and procedures?
- Is the staff screened?
- What are the staff/child ratios and group sizes of the program?
- Is the staff well-trained?
- Is the program licensed or accredited?
- Are parents welcome to visit? Are family activities offered?
- Is there a daily lesson plan?
- Is the facility adequate for the number of children enrolled?
- What are the hours of operation, fees and payment procedures?
Download the Selecting Summer Care for School-Age Children: A Quality Checklist at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/childcare/docs/SummerChecklist.pdf.
Because you should know – Florida law does require summer camps to conduct background screenings of all camp personnel, including owners, operators, employees and volunteers. Volunteers providing less than 10 hours of service per month do not need to be screened as long as they are always within sight of a person who meets the screening requirement. In the state of Florida, the camps supported by UF/IFAS Extension meet each of the standards above.
The above questions and items to consider should help you in the camp selection process. Always feel confident in asking any questions – as the parent, you have the right to feel confident in your child’s camp selection.
As you begin your summer camp search, remember to check out the day and residential camping programs offered by your local 4-H program. We are confident in our volunteers and staff competency and would love to have your child participate in our safe and fun-filled summer camps. Contact your local Extension Office for more details.
Resources for this article may be found at: www.acacamps.org and www.myflfamilies.com.
by Julie Pigott Dillard | May 23, 2018
2018 4-H Camp Cherry Lake Staff from left to right: Linda, Ashley, Jordan, Shelbie, Maddie, Ben, Daniel, Sam, Josh
Can you believe the first week of 4-H Camp is right around the corner? Your 4-H Camp Cherry Lake staff has been training hard getting ready to make your camp week the best ever. Ms. Neva Baltzell, 4-H Camp Cherry Lake’s Resident Director, is proud to introduce you to her camp staff.
Sam, in his 4th year staffing 4-H Camp, is from Christmas, FL. His favorite song is Princess Pat, and you’ll find him on the waterfront doing his favorite camp activity – kayaking. Sam says, “I wanted to make a difference bigger than just myself.”
Linda is from Douglas, GA, and this is her 3rd year being a staffer. Her favorite camp song is 5 Little Muffins. Her favorite camp activity is Marshmallow Paint War! Linda says, “I wanted to make a positive impact on youth at camp this summer.”
Shelbie, from Cairo, GA, is a 1st time staff member. Her favorite camp song is Rattling Bog and she enjoys shooting sports the most at camp. Shelbie says, “I wanted to be able to make a difference and give the kids an opportunity to embrace themselves.”
Josh is from Trenton, FL, and is a 1st time staffer. Josh’s favorite camp song is Linger, and his favorite camp activity is Marshmallow Paint War! Josh says, “I want to impact kids in a way I’ve been impacted before.”
Maddie, a first time staffer, comes all the way from Chelmsford, England! Her favorite camp song is Baby Shark, and her favorite camp activity is healthy lifestyles. Maddie says, “I wanted to be camp staff to gain experience before I train to go into teachig and to learn how to promote positive development.”
Ashley is from Lake City, FL and is a 1st year staffer. She loves to sing Long Johns and her favorite camp activity is Stand. Ashley says, “I choose to come to camp in search of gaining a new experience in life.”
Jordan, from McClenny, FL is a 1st time staff member. Her favorite camp song is Osh Kosh Nooga, and you’ll find her teaching the latest moves in dancing. Jordan says, “I wanted the opportunity to make an impact on kid’s lives by creating a loving and supportive environment for the kids to grow in. I also wanted an opportunity for my own personal growth.”
Thanks to 4-H Camp Timpoochee’s Resident Director, Ariel Blanton, for interviewing 4-H Camp Cherry Lake’s staff. We can’t wait to meet them in person! If you’d like to learn more about becoming a 4-H Camp Staff member during next year’s camping season, contact your 4-H Agent: http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/.
by Heather Kent | Jul 7, 2017
HughesNet and Florida 4-H have teamed up to help youth learn how to use science and technology to solve problems!
Most people think of camp as a break from the fast-paced technological world, but that’s not always the case. With a $10,000 grant from HughesNet, Florida 4-H is introducing technology in a meaningful way across our state this summer! As a result of the sponsorship, 340 youth will learn about the engineering design process, and how to use technology and engineering to solve real world issues such as energy, water and conservation.
“We are grateful for the partnership with a technology leader like HughesNet to get more kids interested in how STEM affects our lives and offers great career paths,” said Michael Gutter, UF/IFAS associate dean for Extension and state program leader for 4-H youth development, families and communities. “Camp is a fun way to learn about STEM and a great way for youth to spend part of their summer.”
During one camp, youth learned how civil engineers design safe bridges to transport people, food and medical supplies. STEM in action!
STEM at Camp is part of a national effort by HughesNet and National 4-H Council to spark youth interest in STEM topics. Florida was one of four states selected to receive a Summer Camp STEM grant. The other states include Illinois, Maine and Virginia. This is the third consecutive year that HughesNet has supported STEM at Camp programs and the first year that Florida has been a recipient of this funding.
Next week, Florida Panhandle youth have two camps to choose from: Bots by the Bay at 4-H Camp Timpoochee and Wildlife Camp in Monticello, Florida. During Bots by the Bay camp, youth will learn how to program 3-dimensional printers to print, build and test robots and cars. During Wildlife Camp, youth will learn how technology is used to protect natural resources and grow our agricultural industry. Our goal is to spark an interest in using technology to solve real world problems that affect our food safety and supply, as well as our overall quality of life.
National 4-H Council and HughesNet are dedicated to sparking youth interest in STEM topics through hands-on, community-based STEM learning. In addition to STEM at Camp, HughesNet works with National 4-H Council to support STEM programs such as the 4-H Youth In Action STEM Pillar award, National Engineering Week and National Youth Science Day – the world’s largest youth-led STEM challenge. This year’s experiment, Incredible Wearables, helps youth explore the world of wearable technology as the design, built and test a fitness monitor. If you have a passion for technology, or simply like to help kids learn, consider becoming a 4-H volunteer. For more information about 4-H, visit our website or contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office.
by Stefanie Prevatt | May 25, 2017
Alex Davis is a graduating senior from Leon County 4-H
Six years ago, Alex’s grandmother registered her to attend summer camp at Cherry Lake with Leon County 4-H and she hasn’t looked back since!
Alex has become one of the shining stars of the Leon County 4-H program. She has held positions of Parliamentarian, Secretary, and Vice President of the Leon County 4-H Leadership Council. She has served as a member of our Banquet Planning Committee and for the past four summers, Alex has volunteered her time as a counselor at Robotics, Sewing, Cooking, and Gardening camps. She is raised by her grandparents, Suzane Parke and Sidney Jenkins and is the oldest of three siblings.
Alex’s leadership and responsibility truly shine when she is leading and helping youth. One of her favorite 4-H experiences was assisting a group of robotics camp participants complete a challenge: “We were scrambling to finish our car. It was so great to see the look of accomplishment on the kids’ faces.”
Alex has helped teach a variety of 4-H programs during her six-year membership.
Alex is a wonderful representative of 4-H. Perhaps more importantly, she is a stellar student. When Alex first joined 4-H, she talked about her future enrollment in the IB program at Rickards High School. I remember this discussion vividly because I was extremely impressed with the maturity of a then-thirteen year old explaining how she would be reducing her participation in order to focus on school. Four years, hard work, late nights, and hard choices – many times causing her to choose between 4-H and homework – she has accomplished her goal.
Alex was accepted into the University of Florida where she will begin this summer. “I plan to study animal biology. And eventually Veterinary Medicine. Real STEMMY things. And I want to have an impact on people, but not work directly with them. So I figure helping their pets is pretty close.”
One of her favorite experiences has been learning about how food is produced. Alex will extend her learning at the University of Florida’s College of Agriculture this fall.
Curious, we asked Alex why she chose to keep coming back to 4-H. As a driven student, active member of Young Marines and other youth organizations, many things could have pulled her from the program. Alex said: “It was fun. I learned things I never knew…like how to sew a pillow! That will come in handy in college. And the adults…Ms. Stefanie was awesome. Ms. Heidi was great. And the other adults were always so helpful and nice.”
We will definitely miss Alex’s smiling face and bubbling personality around our office this summer, but we are so proud of our 2017 graduate!
