Robeson County 4-H

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 Tr...

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...

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 thei...

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 befor...

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 ...

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 yea...