Rock Eagle

 Registration for Volunteer Conference of Southern States is now open! The Conference is open to anyone working with 4-H youth across the U.S. and is hosted by volunteers from the southern region. There are on-site (at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia) as well as virtual and pre-recorded registration options  Regardless of your location, you'll be sure to have access to top-notch educational sessions as well as a chance to meet other 4-H volunteers.

I encourage you to share this conference opportunity with your 4-H volunteers!  To learn more visit: http://www.4hvcoss.com/

NC Pre-K Registration

 Just wanted to share this with our 4-H families with young children....

 This article is taken from the More in My Basket Blog.

Beat the Heat

August 3, 2022

By MoreFood

Temperatures can reach the upper 80s, 90s and even higher in North Carolina during the summer months. The temperature plus humidity can easily send the heat index into the 100’s. Staying cool can be tough. During this time, it is important to limit outdoor activities especially if you’re not properly hydrated. While everyone is at risk during the summer months, special attention should be given vulnerable populations such as older adults and young children.

Fortunately, our body has a natural way of cooling itself.  Through perspiration or sweating fluid is excreted through the skin that acts as a cooling agent to regulate body temperature within normal, healthy ranges.

Those exposed to high temperatures may be at risk of dehydration. Dehydration occurs when the body doesn’t have adequate fluid.  Fluid levels fall below normal when too little fluid is consumed and or too much is lost or excreted.  Being dehydrated can affect how you feel and your ability to move and think.  Symptoms of dehydration include: increased body temperature, breathing and pulse rate; dry mouth; fatigue; weakness; dizziness; headache; and dark colored urine.[i]

Drinking water is one way to stay hydrated.  The Institute of Medicine reports that people get roughly 80 percent of their necessary water intake from drinking water and other beverages. The other 20 percent comes from eating foods.  Some foods have particularly high moisture contents and can be helpful when trying to stay hydrated, especially for those who don’t like to drink much.[ii]

The following are some examples of non-beverage SNAP eligible foods (fresh, frozen, canned, or prepared) that are good sources of water.  When eaten, these foods can help you stay hydrated and in the hot summer months:[iii]

Applesauce	Peaches
Apricots	Pears
Beans	Plums
Blueberries	Pineapple
Cereals, (Cream of Wheat, oatmeal, and grits)	Pumpkin
Celery	Sauerkraut
Corn*	Spaghetti
Cucumber	Squash*
Frozen treats like fruit based popsicles, sherbets and dairy products, and ice pops	Strawberries
Fruit cocktail	Soups and broths
Gelatin (plain or flavored varieties)	Tangerines (mandarin oranges)
Grapefruit	Tomatoes
Lettuces (examples iceberg and romaine)	Watermelon*
Papaya	Yogurt

Flavored ice cubes can also add a different touch to water. Check out the recipe below for a summer treat to keep you cool! All ingredients are SNAP eligible items.

Frozen Watermelon Popsicles

Kitchen Gear:

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife (adult needed)
• Popsicle sticks
• Baking sheet

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 small seedless watermelon

Instructions

1. Cut across the watermelon to make wedges about 1-inch thick.
2. Carefully cut a slit into the rind of each wedge and put a popsicle stick into each slit.
3. Arrange the wedges on the baking sheet so they’re not touching.
4. Freeze until firm, at least 3 hours.

Nutrition Facts (Amount per serving)

Serving Size: 1watermelon, 1 cup diced (152g)

• Calories: 46
• Total Fat: 0: g
• Sodium: 2mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 1g
• Calcium: 10 mg

Nutrition Facts for watermelons can be found at:

https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide/watermelon

For questions about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or to receive Application Assistance contact the More In My Basket staff:

Visit: morefood.org

English Toll Free: 1-855-240-1451

Spanish Toll Free: 1-888-382-7105

References:

[i] betterhealthwhileaging.net/qa-how-to-prevent-diagnose-treat-dehydration-aging-adults/

Congratulations to our AIRE Winner!

 

We're Back!

 What a ride we have had.  By the time you are reading this our campers are safe and sound at home and probably sleeping hard.  We had a hot, fun, tiring week at camp and I hope all our campers want to go back next year.  Here is what our last day looked like...

We started our day getting up, cleaning cabins, packing, finding all the stuff we brought and bought, and packing up some more.  We tried not to leave anything behind, but sometimes it happens (but we hope it didn't).  Breakfast included bacon, biscuits, and we made our own breakfast sandwiches to nosh on.  After making sure all of our luggage was at the designated county pickup site on camp we headed to the Rec, Hall for our last hoorah!

Each groups counselors gave out personalized awards to our campers for their achievements this week.  There were corn hole aficionados, All Around All Star Campers, Lady Ga-Ga Ball champs and more.  Everyone was on stage and had a shot at being recognized.  After our time in the limelight, it was time to shine on screen.  We had our camp slide show highlighting the events of the week.  Some of it seemed like forever ago, while some of it seemed like it had happened in just a minute.

When that was over we got up and hugged, shed some tears, cried, and headed toward our vehicles.  It was a sad day to leave and we will be happy to see our families when we get home.  

We pulled up at the Robeson County Extension Office a little tired, a little aromatic with the smells of camp, and happy to have those hugs we had missed for a week.  We went in and got our camp t-shirts to remember our time at camp and then to the next step to head home.  Parents don't be surprised if our campers sleep, tell stories that have a "you had to be there" ending, or are suddenly doing new things like taking a broom to sweep or making their beds.  Just know it was all part of the camp experience and we sincerely believe that they all had a good time.

Thank you to our campers for being a part of the adventure.  Thank you parents for trusting us with your child and children.  We enjoyed our time together more than we can ever explain.

It's Not Quite A Wrap

 It's our last full day at BJP (for those of you not following us that is what our campers call Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Center) and we will not leave anything undone.  Our schedule really doesn't change with campers getting up, cleaning their cabins, and eating breakfast.  This morning they had fresh biscuits, bacon, and more to fill their stomachs before hitting the camp.

Due to the recent storms the Trekkers didn't get to paddle down the river but they did head to Pilot Mountain this morning for some rock climbing.  They had a great time in the out of doors before coming back to camp for camp store in the afternoon.

Our campers on site had a chance to hike out to the beaver pond, a little creek stomping, jump in hte pool, and swing from the high ropes.Of course there were also arts and crafts, archery, canoeing and fishing on the schedule this morning.  

Our campers enjoyed pulled chicken sandwiches when it was time for lunch.  You would be amazed how hungry they are from walking, running, swimming, and basically not using motorized transportation for five days.  They have become physically active and if possible just a little more tired.  All of which combines for some really good sleep at night.

After lunch we were back on target for more fun activities.  The Boulder Wall, Gaga pit, archery, pool, and more were on the agenda this afternoon.  It was a great time in the heat to enjoy one last round of everything before coming home. 

Dinner was a camp classic.  Chicken tenders, tater tots, and all the fixings.  Our campers were eating and discussing the upcoming dance.  Do you have a "date" was heard frequently.  With most of our campers saying no.  No need.  I'm going to have fun.  Fun they had rather it was in the rec hall dancing to music (we think everyone did the Church Clap) or outside playing lawn games and just having fun.

After the dance they headed down to the camp fire in their finery for their last horah before we leave tomorrow.  They sang, enjoyed skts, and had the best last campfire ever.  Now our campers are sound asleep dreaming about the fun they had and going home tomorrow.  They cant wait to see their families, but please know they will miss their new found friends.

To see our day of photos please click this link.

 

Welcome to Wednesday!

 Wednesday at BJP (that's what we call Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Center) was full of wonderful things.  Yes, some of them were pretty normal.  Like getting up at 7 and getting ready for breakfast and cabin clean up.  Today we started our day with french toast sticks, cereal, fresh fruit, and other morning yummies.   

  After breakfast our Trekkers packed up and headed out to the Dan River.  They will canoe, pitch tents, camp out, and even cook their dinner over an open fire.  In the morning they will head toward Pilot Mountain where they will have the chance to do real rock wall climbing before tearing down their camp and heading home.

  For the rest of us at camp things were a little more normal.  Our campers climbing our camp rock wall, rode horses, learned about archery, did a little Yoga (ok let's be honest this is just a disguise for nap time), went on a fossil hunt and played GaGa Ball.  Our campers are having a ball doing all sorts of neat things at camp.  Yes, it was hot, and they are tired, but they don't want to miss a moment of the fun.

  Lunch today was a hit as our campers chowed down on chicken sandwiches and french fries.  Of course they also have access to the fresh salad bar and we can promise that no one goes hungry.  With the heat as daunting as it is we do have a rule that all our campers have to drink a glass of water prior to juice or tea.  This way we can make sure they stay hydrated out there.

  So there was one thing that was a little different today.  Our State Magazine is working on an issue to be published next year about NC Cooperative Extension.  As part of that 4-H is being featured, and to get shots of camp and talk to campers it had to happen this week because it is the last week of camp.  So everyone was a little excited to have a camera crew on hand, the state specialist was here, and a journalist who is writing the story on the importance of camp. 

After our camp store and afternoon activities we has dinner.  An Italian feast you might say.  There was spaghetti, meatballs, bread sticks, and cake for desert to celebrate one of our Chatham County camper's birthday.  It was a good meal for everyone.

Tonight our evening activity was the Talent Show.  I must admit the talent of our campers never ceases to amaze me.  From singing to dancing, musical instruments to impressions, this show had a little bit of it all.  Our campers played Beethoven, lip synced to Rick Astley, performed original skits, and even did bird and fireworks impressions.  One of our favorites was dancing to the chicken dance.  Even our LIT's (Leaders In Training) got in on the dancing act go through a medley that included the Macarena, the Chicken Dance, and more.

After the fund of the evening our Adventures headed back out to outpost where they will be spending the night.  Our other campers made their way back tot he cabins and Get ready for a good night's sleep as tomorrow is our last full day at camp.

Just a reminder for parents who are emailing notes.  Tomorrow at noon will be the deadline for campers to get emails befre we head home.  If you would like to right them just send the email to sadjearn@ncsu.edu, with the camper name on the subject line.  We will print it out and get it to them by our last official mail call before we head home.

If you would like to see our day in photos, please click this link.