To Space and Beyond

We had a long but great trip to Chapel Hill today to visit the campus of the other North Carolina University (4-H is part of N.C. State University so in the spirit of our organizational entity we're playing coy).  We had the opportunity to visit Moorehead Planetarium and Science Center.  There we saw the program "Solar System Odyssey."  We learned about space exploration and the importance of preserving our planet because there really aren't any other options for colonization of other planets, or moons.

  After our excellent space adventure we attended a program on earthquakes.  We learned about plates shifting and different shifts create different land formations.  We even got a chance to create different waves (P and S waves) and create our own seismic activity.  Did you know there is an earthquake every minute of the day.  Most of them are not big enough for us to feel but they are earthquakes none the less.

  When we were done learning about the movement on the planet we are on we had a picnic lunch from Chick fillet.  By that time we had to load up and head home.  It was a long but educational day 3 for 4-H Biotech Day Camp.  We did a briefing for the fun that waits tomorrow and it sounds like another day of 3-D fun.

Finding Our Future in our Past

Our second day of 4-H Biotech day camp and we didn't have to travel to far in terms of miles for our awesome learning experience.  Our first stop was at Southeastern Community College where we met with member of their biotech team to learn about future careers and how to get degrees in these potential careers.
We also learned about micro propagation.  This is where, using scientific techniques, plants can be rapidly multiplied.  Economically it is a great opportunity and also in terms of our rapid use of plant material, such a technique can be helpful to our environment.  We saw the green houses both indoor and out that house rapidly growing violets and Venus flytraps.

  We then traveled to the landfill.  Not because we needed to clean out the vans but because that is where their latest innovation is housed.  A ginormous greenhouse sits on the premise.  A greenhouse isn't a new innovation but how it is powered is.  The heaters that keep the green house warm in the winter is run from the methane gas that is generated from the decomposing waste at this landfill.  This green house had geraniums, Gerber daisies, wandering Jews, and other great plants that will be propagated for sale at a later date.

  From the green houses we travelled to the Southern Sizzler for an incredible lunch and filled our stomachs on some fine southern food. 

  Then it was a quick jump to our last stop of the day, Lake Waccamaw State Park.  There we got a lesson on the Carolina Bays.  It is still a mystery as to how the bays were created but several still have open water, but Lake Waccamaw is probably the most unusual.  Most of the lakes have a high acidity making it tough for aquatic life to survive however Lake Waccamaw is home to limestone shelves.  These shelves neutralize the water making it home to a variety of plant and aquatic life not to mention birds and alligators.  After learning about the mystery of the Lake we headed out on their boardwalk to see trees and identify the bay trees that the Carolina bays are actually famous for.  After a great walk to see the lake and learn about the wildlife there it was time to head back into the Ranger station to check out their hands on exhibits and their whale skeleton (it's pretty cool).

After all that learning it was time to load our vans and head back home to prep for tomorrow as we go where no Robeson County 4-H group has gone before.

Striking Out

Wow!  It's our first day of our fifth year of 4-H Biotech day camp and we are once again striking out for new territory.  Our group loaded up this morning and headed for the Cape Fear Serpentarium in Wilmington.  There we met the groups from Bladen and Hoke Counties who we will be traveling with this week.  We were a little early so we did a walk on the river walk and got to see all sorts of stuff in the water and learn about the economic importance of the river area to Wilmington.

  Then it was time to head into the Serpentarium.  There we saw snakes of all shapes and sizes.  We learned about venomous snakes, constricting snakes, and other reptiles.  They had iguanas, alligators, and a ,on arch lizard to see and learn about.  We also had a lot of fun talking with the parrots in the lobby area.

  After learning new and interesting facts about the reptile world we loaded up and headed to Fort Fisher Aquarium.  After our lunch at shark bites, we headed into the aquarium to see the sites.  Whether it was petting horseshoe crabs or checking out the jelly fish we had a great time.  Unfortunately we had to jump back into the vehicles after a couple of hours to head back home and prepare for our next adventure into higher education.

Coming Home

We woke up bright and early this morning to finish packing up and enjoy our last breakfast and morning together.  When we got all our luggage hauled to the appropriate spot it was time to head to the rec hall for the awards ceremony.  Every camper got a little something, whether it was the Curious George Award or Most Courageous.  Every counselor told the stories that made everyone laugh and we all sat down to watch the slide show of our events at camp.
  When we were done Damien dismissed us by county and we boarded our buses and headed home.  It's been a long week away from loved ones but please know we had a lot of fun and will remember our time at BJP forever.
  If you are interested in attending camp next year we should have dates available in August and look forward to seeing any of our campers again.  Just give us a call at the 4-H office and we will be happy to give you any information we have.

Our Last Full Day

Thursday is our last day at Betsy Jeff Penn before coming home and we made the best of it.  We hit the ground running hard this morning doing our daily chores and having fun during our activities.  We made our last attempts at canoeing archery and rock wall climbing.  Everyone made their last round through the arts and crafts area gathering up their creations to bring home and prepared for the big evening event.
 Tonight our evening activity was a dance.  Now for those who don't
dance (which is a large number of younger campers) we had games.  Balls, sidewalk chalk, and corn hole were just a few of the things available outside while campers gathered in the rec hall for music and dancing.
  One of the things that keeps the dance moving is the heat in the rec hall.  The dancers find themselves outside a great deal to cool off.  One of the traditions of cooling off on our last night are the snow cones.  Each one made with the efforts of the Leaders in Training (LIT) and it definitely made them work up a sweat.  According to the campers they did a great job and once again showed off their dedication to the overall camp experience.

After the dance and games came to an end it was time for our final campfire.  We had songs and skits while the crackle of the flames lit up the venue.  It was an awesome closing to an incredible week.  As we traveled back to our cabins to shower and back campers hugged and had a bittersweet feeling as we get ready to go home and say goodbye to our new friends, while we look forward to hugging everyone we have missed.
  Stay tuned we have just a few more adventures before we board the buses tomorrow and head home.

Halfway There....

Wednesday is our halfway point here at camp and things are going smoothly.  We have had a chance to try out almost all of our daily activities and in some cases we are on the second round.  Everyone is adjusting to the schedule and have figured out the best ways to make beds and get cabins clean for inspection.
  One of the great things about camp is the little bit of free time we have, like at camp store, for everyone to see each other.  We get to socialize, share our day, and there are smiles all around.  Barely a day goes by when the counselors don't get everyone up and dancing or at least moving to make sure there is a smile everywhere.  This is a caring, crazy fun, staff that makes this week truly special.

One of he things every camper gets a chance to learn at camp is flag ettiquette.  Every age gets a chance to read inspiratio
nal quotes and fold the flags as they are taken down just before sunset.  The entire camp congregates at the flag pole each night and after the serious ceremony it is time for announcements such as which was the cleanest cabin and information about the evening activity.
Tonight's activity is the ever anticipated talent show.  This year we had more acts then ever.  the acts ranged from signers and dancers to gymnasts, and even a magician.  Everyone got a chance for celebrity tonight and the entire group enjoyed the event.  At the end the counselors got everyone up and dancing around celebrating the night before heading to the cabins.  Showers and heads on pillows were next for the night.  It was a great evening and one that no one will soon forget.

Settling In

  Our second full day of camp is amazing!  We settled into our activities and routine and experienced even more new things than ever before.  Of course we started our day in the usual fashion with cleaning cabins and breakfast.  Then it was one.  Archery, arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, horseback riding
and rock wall climbing was just the beginning.  There was also the ever popular hike to the beaver dam today which is an awesome place to go visit.
  The newest adventure came for our Adventurers, Trekkers and Leaders in Training (L. I. T's)as they took to the high ropes course today.  Obstacles like the pamper pole, and zip line offer these campers the opportunity to challenge them selves and do things they never thought possible.  Setting goals and reaching those goals, expanding their limits those are just a few of the things that this group learns by taking part in these special activities.
  One of the special activities that takes place at camp is creek stompin'.  Now for those of you who are not sure what this is, well the name is sort of self explanatory.  Our campers get in the creek and stomp around.  Now there is a purpose to this splish splashy madness.  As they are stomping around they are looking for wildlife that might live in the creek and capturing it for everyone to have a chance to examine it before releasing it back into the creek.  We found crayfish, salamanders, and other aquatic creatures.  On our way to one of our stops we found a very healthy caterpillar trying to make its way across the creek which was promptly moved to continue doing what it needs to do, and placing in a place not as dangerous.
After creek stompin' it was time to learn about using a compass and orienteering.  Using a course mapped out in the woods the youth used their newly learned compass skills to navigate the course.

   Of course after a day of exciting activities we had dinner and got ready for the evening activities.  For those groups that got to do water sports the night before they headed to the camp fire for s'mores.  The group that had camp fire on Monday headed to water sports where they jumped in the pool, the lake, played dizzy bat, and lets not forget the ever incredible water slide.
  It was a day filled with fun and by the end we hit the showers and tucked ourselves in exhausted and ready to go at it again tomorrow.

Getting Down to the Business of Fun!

                              

It is our official first full day at camp and it sure was jam packed with activities and fun!  Wake up is bright and early at 7 am.  The younger campers headed straight to breakfast while the older campers worked on chores, like making their beds and cleaning their cabins.  After everyone met at flag raising the age groups switched with the younger ones working on chores and the older ones getting a little something to eat.

By 9 am it was time to head to activities.  Our crafters were working on projects based on age.  The youngest ones working on recycled art projects while the older ones built dream catchers.  Some of the groups got the chance to jump in the pool.  We also had some groups hiking the beaver trail, riding horses, practicing archery, and even canoeing. Just after ten in the morning we were switching activities and even added kickball into the mix. By this point in the day it was time for lunch.  Pizza all around!  After finishing lunch it back out and at it.  Rock wall climbing, horses, and creek stomping hit the agenda as well.

If that's not enough fun for one day not to worry there was more,  after our Mexican Monday Dinner of tacos and corn everyone hit the cabins and got ready for the evening activity.  Didn't think it was possible to have more fun?  Guess what, we had more fun.  First the big announcement of the day was which cabins won the honored gold faucet and silver toilet seat for cleanest cabins.  Today's winners were actually tied with perfect scores.  A centimeter of dirt was what put the girls cabin 2 in the lead for the gold faucet while the boys cabin number 6 took second place.  After the big announcement which is made at flag lowering we split up for evening activity.  The youngest campers headed to water sports while the older campers headed out for a cooking campfire activity that involved s'mores.

Water sports is a series of events that makes almost everyone ecstatic.  The events include the dizzy bat relay which is just like it sounds, the slip and slide, lake time, and pool time.  Dizzy bat is just like it sounds.  Using a pool noodle as a bat two teams compete.  Each person up must spin ten times keeping the bat in place then they take a water soaked sponge and run it to the other end where they squeeze it out in a bucket.  The team that moves the most water the fastest wins. There were grins all around as we enjoyed evening snack by the pool then headed off to our cabins.  There were all showered and got ready for bed.  It was a heavy night of sleep for all of us after a fun and tiring day!  Stay tuned for more information about all our Tuesday fun to come!

We're Baaaaack!

                                     

There is something special about that first day of camp.  It could be because we are filled with anticipation of this new event, or excited to make new friends.  No matter what the reason the first day of camp is almost magically.

After leaving we stopped at Golden Coral in Asheboro where the staff took very good care of us and made sure our stomachs were full for this new adventure.  After pulling in to Betsy Jeff Penn our adventure started.  We checked in and were excited to find out which cabin we would be sleeping in.  We moved in and met our counselors and others in our cabins.  Mother Nature kept us indoors for cabin rules and icebreakers but she let up long enough for us to have our picnic lunch near the craft shelter.

 Hot dogs, chips, baked beans, watermelon, and chocolate chip cookies were on the menu.  Not to mention punch or perch as Damien calls it.  After once again getting full we headed into the recall to meet everyone we hadn't met yet including the volunteers and agents.  Then it was time for the get fit dance more section of the program as we got up and moved with our crazy fun camp counselors.

  After getting all hot and sweaty we headed to opening campfire.  There we learned camp songs and had a good time.  Believe it or not it was then time for showers and bed.  Already the first day is behind us and we are filled with anticipation of what is in store tomorrow.  Sleep well and tune back in on Monday as we get back at it again.