News Article

for: Week of April 28, 2003

by: Vickie B. Mullins

Extension 4-H Agent

Santa Rosa County

4-H In the Summer

Summer is almost here. School will soon be out and depending upon whether you are an adult or a child, you may be looking forward to or dreading that last day of school. But never fear, 4-H is here. 4-H offers many opportunities for a great summer of fun and friends. Activities that any child will enjoy and that any parent can be glad to have their child participate in are offered by the County 4-H Program.

There are many 4-H programs and activities to be offered this summer. The 4-H Camp facilities offer the traditional County 4-H Camp as well as specialty camps such as Marine Education and Ed-Venture Camps. 4-H Camp Timpoochee is located on the Choctawhatchee Bay east of Niceville and provides an ideal setting for area outdoor and educational activities.

Youth ages 8-12 years of age, as of September 1, 2002, attend camp as campers and are treated to a week of being away from home, meeting new friends and learning new things. Camp programs include the usual camp activities of canoeing, hiking, swimming and camp fires with some interesting surprise activities such as marine study.

For the older youth 13-18 years of age, camping provides an opportunity to develop leadership skills and earn community service hours as a volunteer camp counselor. Youth age 13-18 years attend county planned camps as Counselors in Training or as full fledged Camp Counselors. Serving as a camp counselor allows youth to serve as a role model and also gain valuable skills and knowledge that may lead to future jobs or careers.

Summer is also great time for 4-H members to explore new areas of interest or delve deeper into areas that intrigue them. For youth who don’t want to, or who can’t go to camp, 4-H projects can provide a means to solve summer boredom. Youth ages 5- 18 can spend as many hours as they wish “learning by doing.” Each 4-H member may select a project that interests them. Using their project book they will be engaged in self directed and 4-H leader or parent assisted activities.

Many 4-H members also use their summer to benefit others. 4-H members participate in a variety of community pride and community service projects. The hours spent volunteering provide self satisfaction to the 4-H member as well as a chance to complete hours required for college scholarships.

For the older or teen 4-H member 4-H Legislature offers real life experiences in civic education. The unique program provides youth age 14-18 years the opportunity to participate in a mock legislative session at the State Capitol.

The finale event to the summer for teen 4-H members is State 4-H Congress. Senior 4-H members who are County and District winners in the 4-H competitive program participate in State level competition the last week in July. There are also educational programs and community service projects for the youth to participate in while attending State 4-H Congress.

Interspersed throughout the summer 4-H clubs and County 4-H Offices offer workshops, day camps and other special activities for youth. With 4-H –– summer can be lots of fun for both parent and child.

For more information on what your county has to offer call your County 4-H Office. 4-H programs and activities in Santa Rosa County are open to boys and girls ages 5 to 18 regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex or handicap.