By Kevin Tatum
JUNIOR 4-H CAMP
June 25-29 was a busy week for seventh and eighth grade 4-H members who attended Junior 4-H Camp at the Fortson 4-H Center in Hampton, GA. 153 students and 14 adults from 18 counties took part in the week’s activities. During the week, the students enjoyed workshops at the camp facility such as a climbing wall, a zip line, archery, canoeing, and learning about the farm animals as well as the reptiles. They also went swimming, had dances, recreation, and much more.
During the week, campers also took a couple of excursions off the center. One was to Stone Mountain Park where they got to explore the village, ride the train, take the sky-tram to the top of the mountain, and see the laser show. On another excursion, they went to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coke. And on Thursday evening, they went to the Atlanta Motor Speedway to see the Thursday Thunder races.
Participants from Coffee County included Ashton Ates, Omarion Butler, Amelia Crockett, Alexandra Rivero, Jenna Sears, and Christopher Williams with Chalanda Woods, AmeriCorps Member, chaperoning the trip.
SENIOR 4-H CAMP
Coffee County Senior 4-H members got the opportunity to attend Senior 4-H Camp at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center near Eatonton, GA. Participants included JaVonte Grady, Qw’Vontae Graves, Bethany Grace Land, T.K. McIver, and Willie Spence. Campers enjoyed a picnic and fireworks at the 4-H center to kick off the week’s activities since it was the 4th of July week. They participated in workshops at Rock Eagle and also visited the University of Georgia campus where they dined in one of the dining halls, attended a couple of workshops put on by UGA faculty, toured the campus, and visited the UGA Bookstore. Senior camp is a great week for our 4-H members to reunite with old friends as well as make new friends from all over the state of Georgia. They all have a great time at camp and look forward to it every year.
SUMMER DAY CAMPS
Coffee County 4-H enjoyed two summer activities during the month of June. On June 12, 4-H members traveled to Statesboro, GA, to enjoy a day at The Clubhouse. The Clubhouse has a bowling alley, game room, laser tag, go-carts, spinning bumper cars, mini-golf, driving range, and more. Everyone started out with a game of bowling. Then they had a choice for their other activities.
On June 18, we traveled back to Statesboro, GA, to have some fun in the sun at the water park called “Splash in the Boro”. The water park had a lazy river, a wave pool, several water slides, the flow rider, a couple of pools, and several attractions for smaller children. Everyone seemed to enjoy their day and only a few of us came home with more sun than we should have gotten.
On June 20, Coffee, Bacon, and Ware Counties held a Certified Teen Leader Training in Alma. This training is for Junior and Senior 4-H members to teach older 4-H members about serving as leaders for 4-H events for younger 4-H members. It teaches them how to handle sensitive situations as well as song and game leading activities. Congratulations to Camyra Clemmons, Abygail Harper, Glenn O’Steen, and Janilla Warren for completing the training and becoming Georgia 4-H Certified Teen Leaders.
If you have questions about the Coffee County 4-H Club program, or questions around the farm or home, please feel free to contact the Coffee County Extension office at (912) 384-1402. Remember, we are YOUR local connection to the University of Georgia.