4-H Camp goes Virtual

Summary

Morgan County 4-H staff created a virtual camp experience for 4-H’ers when Georgia 4-H was forced to cancel summer 4-H camps traditionally held each summer at one of the five 4-H centers across the state. Junior and Senior 4-H members accepted leadership roles to help plan and conduct the camp for Cloverleaf 4-H members.

Situation

Due to the pandemic, Georgia 4-H decided to cancel summer 2020 residential summer camp experience. Camps are traditionally held at one of the five 4-H centers throughout Georgia each summer. Morgan County 4-H was scheduled to attend Cloverleaf Camp at Rock Eagle 4-H Center the last week of June. After receiving news of the cancellation, the need to offer summer educational experiences for our Morgan County 4-H’ers was discussed.

Response

The Morgan County 4-H staff enlisted the help of middle and high school 4-H members to plan and organize an exciting program called “Camp in a Box.” The “camp” included an interactive fun filled week while taking a virtual trip to all five 4-H centers. Each box was packed with over 20 different activities that youth could complete at home. The activities ranged from instructions for preparing camp snacks, such as trail mix and S’mores, to outdoor adventures like leaf rubbings, birding scavenger hunt, hopscotch, and arts and crafts to STEM activities such as making balloon rockets and Oobleck; a non-Newtonian fluid. Additional activities were completed during live Zoom sessions led by Morgan County 4-H teen leaders serving as virtual summer camp counselors, thus allowing older students to accept leadership responsibilities to conduct the camp program. Activities were designed to highlight the areas of S.T.E.A.M, (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) with a focus on agriculture, food, and critical thinking. In addition to Extension staff and camp counselors, participants enjoyed special presentations like classes campers would have attended if they had been able to travel to one of the 4-H centers. These presentations were delivered by guest appearances during the Zoom sessions including: traveling virtually to Rock Eagle 4-H Center where Rock Eagle camp counselors presented a virtual nature hike and trip to the effigy; traveling virtually to Tybee Island where a Burton 4-H Center camp counselor presented a program on Marsh Ecology; travelling virtually to Camp Wahsega in Dahlonega and a virtual herpetology class with snakes and a Bearded Dragon; traveling virtually back to the beach, this time Jekyll Island, where a camp counselor taught a class called Crabs and Critters which shared interesting facts on marine life. The final virtual destination for the week was to Fortson 4-H Center where local producers offered the students a tour of their farm.

Impact

4-H staff along with sixteen 7th-12th grade students combined efforts to plan, coordinate and conduct a virtual camp for Morgan County youth. The team met virtually and within weeks designed a unique experience to bring a fun and educational event to 4-H youth and their families. Morgan County youth were allowed an opportunity to participate in a virtual camp through the 2020 “Camp in the Box” program. The program was provided free of charge for youth to participate through a targeted fundraiser and donations to support the event. Fundraising events raised $1,394 to fund the “Camp in a Box” virtual camp for Morgan County youth. Eighty-Six youth registered and participated in the camp. Each student received a box filled with supplies and instructions for over 20 different activities that could be completed in the safety of their own home. Students were also invited to participate in daily Zoom sessions where Junior and Senior 4-H members served as camp counselors to lead activities and offer educational opportunities. Forty-one percent of the students were able to join the Zoom sessions each day. Through data collected in an exit survey, 100% of participants replied that they were very satisfied or satisfied with the content of the Zoom sessions. One parent expressed her thanks in an email to 4-H staff reading “Awesome job guys on your team effort to put together a well thought out camp for the kids. It was amazing and zoom sessions were engaging. My child had a great time doing the activities. Way to Go!” 100% of participants replied that they were extremely satisfied with the contents of the box and activities included in the box that students could complete at home. Parents’ responses when asked to summarize their child’s experience with “Camp in the Box” were: “This program kept my children engaged and having fun for hours. Thank You!”; “Incredible”; “I think the box was well put together and offered a lot of different activities”; “My child really enjoyed the box and activities, there was a great variety and lots to do.”; and “My kids enjoyed the activities in a self-paced manner.” After a Spring season plagued with multiple cancellations and disappointing news, including the cancellation of residential camps, Morgan County 4-H was proud to offer students and families an opportunity to experience learning through 4-H in a different platform.

State Issue

Youth & Family Development

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: County
• County: Morgan
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • 4-H Youth