A Wednesday to Remember at BJP

What a gorgeous morning to take a hike and learn more about nature, architecture, and the history of the 4-H camp we are all enjoying. Some of our campers had a chance to take a real hay ride to Chinqua Penn Plantation and tour the grounds and main house today. The house which was built by Jeff and Betsy Penn in 1925 as a place for them to experiment with different techniques of raising animals, an opportunity for them to showcase their tastes derived from many different cultures they experienced in their travels, and most importantly their home where they loved to entertain. Betsy and Jeff Penn did not have any children together but loved youth so much they gave the land for the camp we are learning at and enjoying this week.
Not everyone got a chance to experience the tour however. Our younger youth learned about the pioneer days, and learned how to make cornbread over an open fire, how to dip candles, and how to churn butter. All without electricity of course. Our older youth, in Trekkers, spent the day off of camp grounds and are sleeping out under the stars tonight after canoeing, hiking, and cooking today. The Adventurers are currently sleeping in tents at the pioneer settlement after learning how to build a campfire and survive in the outdoors. For those of you who would like to see more photos of our adventures this week, please feel free to check out our photo web site. You will be able to save and download the photos of your favorite scenes and campers so that you can enjoy these memories for a lifetime.

Day Two or Tuesday at Camp

The first day of camp was just an appetizer for our youth as they continued toward the best of activities. The Trekkers (our oldest youth) got hung up on all the fun as they learned the proper way to hug trees. Actually, they had the opportunity to work on the ropes course, climbing a 25 foot pole and jumping to catch a swing, walking on logs suspended in mid-air, and yes, zipping to the bottom of the hill on a zip line. The course tested their resolve, broke down barriers, and forced them to work together to accomplish tasks (plus it was a great adventure, even if they were screaming as they let go of their fears and grabbed hold of the fun). The Adventurers learned how to make shelters and build a camp fire for their sleep out at the outpost tonight. Some of the youth had a chance to check out the water games and slide down a slippery tarp, get dizzy during the water noodle race, and play a neat game of pool tag. By the time the sun set our campers just wanted to shower and lay their head on their pillows to dream about tomorrow's adventures.

First Full Day at Camp

It has been a long day of fun, excitement and adventure as our campers got a chance to try a variety of activities. After breakfast and flag raising the groups did everything from hike to the Beaver pond to walk on a rope 25 feet in the air. Each youth is getting a chance to show their artistic side by creating a tye-dyed pillow case (what a restful way to remember camp) while others are practicing their aim by taking a shot at the bow and arrow (a.k.a. archery). While some of the campers had a chance to cool off in the pool, others climbed up on a horse and took a little ride.
Each of the activities are repeated during the week so that the youth have the opportunity to practice and increase their skills (after all who reaches the top of the rock climbing wall on the first try????) With each attempt a new level of self confidence is reached and a whole new level of fun is achieved.
The Earth and Sun groups played chef tonight as they roasted marshmallows over an open fire and made their own s'mores. Currently they are sound asleep under the starry skies. Speaking of sleeping soundly we had the chance to celebrate another birthday tonight. Jardin LeSane turned 11. She and her cabin mates had a chance to celebrate with a little ice cream party before bed tonight (we have been told that the celebration was just enough to let them quickly take a trip to see the sandman).

Heading to Camp

Well we made it! 54 youth from Robeson County signed up to attend a week long overnight camp at Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center in Reidsville, NC. We left around 9:30 Sunday morning and arrived at camp just after 2:00 p.m. Everyone was anxious from our long trip and it did not take the campers long to get registered and find out where they would be living for the next week and who their cabin mates would be.
After unpacking and a few icebreakers everyone headed to the craft shelter for a huge cookout. After filling up on hot dogs, chips, and watermelon campers had a chance to meet all the staff and volunteers and learn one interesting thing about them. They learned everything from the international staff members strange eating habits (ketchup on pizza) to who has a dog that likes to unpack suitcases. After that it was time for line dancing, square dancing and just general fun.
To cap the evening off everyone enjoyed the opening night campfire which included skits and songs before heading back to their cabins and diving into bed. However, before sleepy time hit one cabin they had to celebrate an important milestone. Brion Oxendine celebrated his 11th birthday complete with ice cream for everyone in his cabin. What a way to cap off the night!

4-H Lets Worms Invade Library

Eight hundred seventy worms made their way into the Robeson County library and into the hearts and hands of almost 50 youth who attended the weekly youth program at the Lumberton Branch of the Public Library as they learned about the process of vermicomposting.
The youth had the chance to learn the importance of earth worms and composting worms in our environment. As Ms. Shelly read them a story on a worm and butterfly, 4-H volunteers and staff from the Robeson County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service prepared a very special bedding for the worms. They soaked a brick of coconut fiber in a bucket of water to start the vermicomposting exhibit that will be available to travel to area schools, educational programs, and youth programs in the future. The exhibit known as "A Can-O-Worms" currently has close to one pound of worms in it thanks to the help of the youth at the library. All of them lined up and used spoons or their hands (how brave is that?!?) to move the worms from cups into their new home lined with coconut lining. Some were so excited that they even wanted to take the little critters home as pets, which was discouraged by every parent and grandparent in the room. After loading the worms into their new home volunteers prepared a blanket of wet newspaper and the youth tucked in their friends for their busy new life.
Composting worms, the most popular of which are red worms, can eat half their body weight each day in vegetable and fruit scraps, wet paper, and coffee grounds. The worms are considered vegetarians, and even though they will eat egg shells they will not eat the inside of the egg or anything that involves animal fat. The castings they provide will produce an organic fertilizer for plants while the liquid waste known as "worm tea" is considered a fantastic liquid fertilizer for plants. It will take approximately a month for the worms to get settled in their bed and start the composting process.
The worms will reproduce up to 20,000 in their new environment but will regulate their population so that there are not more worms then food. There is no odor to the can as the worms eat the food scraps before it rots. It is an organic way to recycle and a wonderfully fun educational tool for youth.
The Can-O-Worms will be tended to during the year by members and volunteers of the "Dirty Rascals" Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club, and 4-H staff. If you are interested in bringing the Can-O-Worms to your classroom or youth facility, please contact the 4-H staff at (910) 671-3276.

Robeson County 4-H Members Shine at State 4-H Congress

On Tuesday, July 22, 2008, six Robeson County 4-H members competed in state 4-H presentations. When it was all said and done four brought home medals from this extremely competitive event including two first timers.
Cierra Buckman gave a presentation on "How to Raise a Dairy Calf." Her PowerPoint presentation was one of 10 presentations in the Senior division. Although she did not medal this year, she represented Robeson County and the South Central District well in one of the most competitive topics at state, "Livestock and Dairy Production."
Aljaquan Nixon also competed in the Senior division but in Peanut Cookery. His healthy rice krispee treats were a hit, and offered something for the rest of the Robeson County delegation to snack on while we waited for everyone to finish competing. Although he did not medal, he offered stiff competition to the other contests in the peanut foods division.
Public Speaker, Lundan Dinnerson, made it back to state this year letting people know why they should feel sorry for her because of her new braces. Lundan won gold in the 9-10 year old age division in 2007 and was hoping to repeat her performance this year. Her persuasive speech did persuade the judges to give her silver and that means another shot at gold next year.
James Nixon made everyone want breakfast when he showed us all how to make waffles. His presentation in the Bread division got rave reviews especially when he showed the various variations he uses when cooking waffles at home for his family. The whipped cream, strawberries, and even mention of nuts and chocolate chips moved him into third place in this difficult division.
Caleb Cox and Bryson McCall were two first time presenters on the county level who made it through district and all the way to state competition in their first time out. Both were in the 9-10 year old age division, Bryson in Breads and Caleb in Egg Cookery. Bryson showed the judges how to make a nutritious hot snack of a personal pizza. Caleb made his great grandmother's favorite coconut custard pie. The judges in both rooms were impressed with the boys' cooking skills, research and talent. When it was all said and done each of them walked away with a bronze medal for all their hard work.
Presentations are just one aspect of 4-H Congress. On Monday, six Robeson County youth left to spend the week on the N.C. State Campus. During the week they will have the opportunity to complete community service projects, attend workshops on leadership development, citizenship, and expressive arts. They will have a chance to meet 4-H members from across the state, and see the top projects in entertainment, fashion, photography and more. Representing Robeson County for this prestigious week long event are: From the "Voices in Praise 4-H Club" in Rowland, Sadara Baker and Aljaquon Nixon; From the "Future Leaders' 4-H Club" in Gaddysville, Terrance Nevin, Tony Ray Chavis and Kristen Sealy; From "Spiritual Generations 4-H Club" in Pembroke Latrice Jones.
Click here if you would like to check out all the congress photos.