Fun, Fun, Fun!

  The following article was written for the Robesonian and Robeson Journal for print this following weekend.

As I write this, it is 40 degrees outside, but by the calendar, spring has started, so I have the Beach Boys playing to keep me in a summer mood. It may seem a little too early to talk about summer and all the fun we can have, but in all honesty, by the parent calendar, we may be a little late having this conversation.

Of course, every program offers different summer opportunities for your child, and you want to find what fits their interests, your budget, and everyone’s schedules.  Here at 4-H, we offer an array of fun and (accidentally on purpose) educational programs in a small and nurturing environment.  Our day camps have no more than 20 youth (several less than that) and are reasonably priced, especially when you realize the cost includes lunch, two snacks, supplies, and all admission for any outside activities we do.  Compare the cost of one week of day camp to a week of day care or babysitting and you’ll see a savings.

The one camp that is a little different is our overnight camp.  We take 60 youth to Reidsville, N.C., for 6 days and 5 nights. While there, the campers swim, rock-wall climb, hike, horseback ride, zip line, learn about archery, and much more.  The cost for this camp, which includes transportation, lodging, meals, snacks, and all activities (not to mention a 1 to 6 ratio of counselors to campers) is $400.  That price tag is a little shocking at first, but imagine if you went camping at a camp ground for a week and had to provide your transportation, meals, snacks, and activity fees (for more than 40 activities).  By the time you add it up, you would see this would be one heck of a deal.  Thanks to our partnership with United Way, we are able to make this camp more affordable.  Without their help, this week of camp would cost well over $500 per child for the week.

Some programs even offer youth a chance to inadvertently step outside their comfort zone.  For example, our Junior Master Gardener Program will hit something they like and something new.  This week-long day camp includes animals, science, cooking, games, and even a national certification when they are done.  Our Cooperative Extension staff will join together to offer hands-on fun for these youth, and when they are done, they will have knowledge that no one can take away from them for the rest of their lives.

So parents, I would encourage you to check out all the incredible summer opportunities out there for your child and help build a summer calendar for them they will remember for the rest of their lives.  For more information about our 4-H summer programs, you can come by our office to pick up a brochure (455 Caton Road, Lumberton, NC 28360), download it from our website at robeson.ces.ncsu.edu, or contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent, with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 671-3276, by E-mail at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu, or visit our website at http://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/.  North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.  In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.