Moving Up and Waiting

The last 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders Association meeting of the year is traditionally a time for elections. However the heat and fun of the summer may have gotten in the way of competition between our youth for County Council positions. When it came time to vote, President-Elect Christian McRae was forced to make a motion to table the elections until a time when more youth who who meet the criteria for the positions were physically there. The motion was seconded and the elections will be held at the next meeting.
The volunteer leaders did have enough members present to go ahead and elect officers. Kenneth Bethea who has been the President will now be Past President and advisor for the group. Jane Hurst will move up to President from President-elect. President-elect is Veronica Powell. Secretary-treasurer will be Lillian McNeil and Libby Burney will carry on in her role as reporter. Vanessa Moore will take on the role of Parliamentarian.
We want to thank those who step forward in these leadership roles to help guide our 4-H program. A special election for the county council officer positions will be held September 14th at 6 pm. The elections will take place at the 4-H office. Nominations will taken from the floor for President-Elect and Sergeant at Arms.

The Science of Food

Did you know cooking involves science? If you think about it, it really does. We apply heat and cold to make things solidify or liquefy. We add different ingredients to create chemical reactions to make something different. What we make, if not done right, can generate bacteria or mold. Yeast is a live organism that we manipulate and kill for a variety of foods. All of that is just scratching the surface of food science, but we scratched it hard during our first day of Biotech Day Camp.
This is the third year for Biotech Day camp and it was bigger and better than ever. In the past three counties participated, but this year we brought our total number of campers up to 40 with the addition of a new county. Bladen, Cumberland, Hoke and Robeson County 4-H programs met in Robeson County on the first day and took over the Robeson County Cooperative Extension office. The group worked with teen volunteers to complete icebreakers while the adults (volunteers and staff) set up to teach some pretty incredible stuff. The youth were broken into four groups and rotated so they got a chance to do each of the activities during the day.
Sandra Cain, the Family and Consumer Science Agent in Bladen County and Peggy Monk, a 4-H Volunteer, took over the kitchen to teach our youth about canning. The youth worked together to make fresh peach jam and got to take home a jar that they made themselves. Although you might think this is easy and not exactly scientific, you might be wrong. If the temperature is not right things can go very wrong. Bacterias can be generated, yeast can form, and not only could you ruin your jam but you could create something that could make you sick if ingested. Instead our youth learned the right way to make the jam, make sure their jars were sterile, and that they were preserved correctly for future enjoyment.
Janice Fields, the Family and Consumer Science Agent in Robeson County worked with the youth to make whole grain bread. Our youth learned about the properties and importance of yeast, and that it is a live organism that causes the bread to rise and it dies during the heated baking process. They learned how to make whole grain flour and the importance of whole grains in our diet. Probably the most fun was actually kneading and making bread during the day and getting to try the fruits of their efforts.
Angela Shaver, the 4-H Extension Agent from Cumberland County worked with the youth on making ice cream in a bag. Although this sounds like snack time it was much more than that. Working in pairs each group made different kinds of ice cream. Some made it with whole milk, others skim milk, there was half and half as well as whipping cream. Soy milk and goats milk were also used in the process. The youth started by forming hypothesise on which ice cream would be the best and then had to follow a recipe, and measure their ingredients into a bag. That bag was then placed into another bag with ice and they had to shake it up until it was the consistency of ice cream. The science behind this experiment was tasty. First our youth learned the need for proper measurements or things would not turn out very well. They learned about the effects of salt on ice, melting and freezing points. Next it was taste test time and everyone had a taste of each ice cream and learned how the different milks interacted with the ingredients to create different tasting ice cream. Whipping cream by far came out the favorite as youth learned the fat content effects the taste and the more fat in ice cream the smoother and creamer it tastes.
The other activity involved proprieties of all the activities and was lead by our own Robeson County 4-H Agent, Shea Ann DeJarnette. The youth worked together in teams to make their own root beer and then bottled it and took home a liter bottle for themselves. To successfully complete this project there were several steps. They had to successfully measure the ingredients into a one gallon jug. Start a chemical reaction between the yeast and the sugar to create carbonation. Then they had to determine the right time to stop carbonation by refrigerating the bottle. If they stopped carbonation too early their root beer would be flat. If they stopped it too late it would taste bitter and have an alcohol smell to it.
After completing all the activities for the day it was time to head back to the respective counties and prepare for the next day which would allow them to be strong and proud. That is the only clue you get as to tomorrow science adventure.

One Last Adventure on the Way Home

Our last day at camp is always bittersweet. As one camper said to me this morning, "I have mixed feelings. I miss my family and will be glad to see them but I have so many friends here and I have so much fun, I don't want to go. I wish there was a way to have it all." Knowing we can't have it all our campers got up this morning, packed up, cleaned the cabins and headed to breakfast. After bacon egg and cheese English muffins and hash browns everyone headed to the Rec Hall for a fashion show, awards, and the slide show. The fashion show is a compilation of items that are in the lost and found. If it is yours you hope you claim it before Damien puts it on to model it.
Then it was time for each group; Head, Heart, Hands, Health, Earth, Sun, Adventurers, and Trekkers, to take the stage. Each set of counselors gave an award to each camper and L.I.T that fit their specific personality or skills. Awards included the "Mouth of the South", "Yes, I'll Try It", "Super Team Canoeer" and let's not forget, "Super Camper". After the awards it was time for the slide show. It gave us a chance to reflect on all the fun we had during the week and a chance to see ourselves with our friends. Then it was time to dismiss by counties, say thank you to those who took care of us, and load up on the buses to head home.
Usually when Damien dramatically rolls us out of camp we have a quiet ride home. However this year there was one more adventure before we could get there. One of our buses threw a fan belt and had to pull over in Greensboro. After assessing the situation and finding a really big parking lot our drivers and 4-H Agent determined that we should wait for the mechanic to show up. While we took order for lunch, the mechanic showed up in record time and took just a few seconds to replace the fan belt to get us back on the road. Then we went and got our campers drinks and chicken nuggets and fries before pulling out around 2 p.m. After a brief stop in Rockingham to drop off our Richmond County campers we made it home around 4:45 pm. Perhaps a few hours later than we planned but safe and sound which was our goal for the day.
We need to say thank you to many people for our camp adventures. First and foremost to the United Way, who thanks to their financial support of Robeson County 4-H allows us to offer this experience that would cost more than $400 for much less. I also want to thank Indian Education for partnering with us to send more than 20 campers to camp this year, and our other anonymous supporters who graciously donated almost $1,000 in camp scholarships. We must also thank the camp staff for taking excellent care of our youth and to the bus company for their professionalism and goal of getting us to and from safely. Most importantly we want to thank our parents and volunteers for allowing your children to experience this life changing event and help them develop life skills.
With all the stories parents are hearing they have probably heard what I have, "I can't wait to go back again next year!" If your child wants to go back next year please feel free to call us so we can send you that information as soon as we know. Our date is usually assigned in October so you can start planning ahead and maybe even make it a Christmas present. Just a thought as we lay our heads down and rest from all the fun of Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center in 2011.

Camping to its fullest!

Our last full day of camp started with new adventures. We awoke to our usual schedule of chores, breakfast and flag raising before hitting the trail. Some of us hit the rock wall while older campers headed up to the ropes course. Of course there was archery, swimming, and horses built into the schedule because that seems to be every one's favorite. Of course we went canoeing and even got to pick our most favorite of activities to do during the day.
By camp store the Trekkers had returned. Our $15 in the camp store went to food, stuffed animals, water bottles, and other sundries. We spent it all on the last day and cleaned some shelves for them.
Of course the real talk of the day was the evening activity. Girls and boys were talking about who should ask who, and who did ask who, and who said yes, and who said no to invitations to the dance. It was all the talk at camp. Of course our personal D. J. Damien cranked the dance tunes for those in the Rec. Hall.
If dancing wasn't your thing, that's alright too. There were games outside to play as well as sidewalk chalk so you could express your creative side. The L.I.T's were also outside slicing and dicing ice to make snow cones for all the campers. At times the lines were so long for this cold treat the counselors came out to motivate the L.I.T.'s to work faster, harder, and more efficiently, although that was not always the impact.
After the dance and games it was time for our final campfire. Complete with traditional campfire songs and skits everyone had a good time around the fire. When that was over we had a special surprise a fireworks show. Some of our campers had never seen fireworks and were surprised by how loud they were. Others just ohhh and ahhed at the pretty colors and how high in the sky they got.
After campfire it was time to head back to the cabins, grab showers, and start collecting our stuff to pack up. This has been a whirlwind five days, but it has helped us become more confidant in ourselves and our capabilities.
Friday is another big day as we have an awards ceremony in the morning and a slide show right after. Then it will be time to load up the buses to head home. Miss Shea Ann said she will tweet after we leave camp (when she gets a cell signal again) to let all the parents know we are headed home.

Applause, Please!

For those of you at home who are keeping track Wednesday marks day four away from home. It also means we need to hurry up and do all the activities we need to do before it is time to go home on Friday. So you will understand why our day is so jammed packed with fun. Let's start with our two oldest groups the Adventurers and Trekkers. The Adventurers had spent Tuesday night at the outpost sleeping in tents. They cooked meals over a campfire and had the opportunity to learn how to use gps technology during the day as well as doing crafts. This group came back in time for the talent show because they had participants in the show. Our Trekkers left after breakfast to do some canoeing and then make their way to Pilot Mountain tomorrow where they will do some climbing.
Back at camp our younger campers were doing more traditional things. For example there was some creek stomping going on as campers learned about bugs and fossils today. They also got to play all sorts of games like kickball. Some of the slightly older campers took to the canoes, horses, archery field and made ice cream. While we also understand that there was some hiking to the beaver dam going on and serious crafting.
The real highlight of the day besides the presentation of the golden faucet and silver toilet seat award (which happen to be the first and second place awards for the cleanest cabins) was the evening's talent show. I guess you could say camp counselors hosted and D.J. ed the event. We had more than a dozen camper acts and some other entertainment provided by, or at the counselors expense. Our youth sang, danced, tumbled, played instruments, told jokes and had a wonderful time in general. The highlight of the night was the unknown act by the Leaders In Training (L.I.T.). By unknown I mean they knew they were getting up on stage but had no idea what they had to do. As they were pulled up there the evil plan was made clear to them. They had to perform pieces of seven different popular dances such as the chicken dance, the wobble, and the cha-cha slide. Needless to say the entertainment value of this act went up drastically as they tried to figure out what to do. By the end of the night everyone was up and dancing around, and they were significantly worn out, ensuring a restful sleep tonight.
We have one more full day of activities which we plan to enjoy to the fullest. Please stay tuned.

High Flyin' or Slip Slidin? You Decide.

By Tuesday we had the schedule figured out, the camp figured out, the system in place and everyone relaxed and just started having a really good time. After waking up, doing chores (yes each cabin assigns chores and our campers do them bright and early in the morning), and eating breakfast the fun seriously began.
For our younger youth the traditional activities like archery, swimming, canoeing, and crafts took place before lunch. Not mention a really wicked game of kickball. For our older youth there were horses and for the adventurers there was team courses and ground inititives (also known as the high ropes) as they prepared for their camp out. Of course the Trekkers were in the lake practicing canoe skills which they will need on their trip coming up later in the week.

After a lunch of meatball subs, salad, and mozzarella cheese sticks we headed back out. Our younger youth checked out the horses and finished their rotation on the other traditional activities while the Trekkers hit the high ropes. For those of you who may be wondering the high ropes course is a series of high wire exercises that allow youth to problem solve, build self esteem and challenge themselves. For example, on this pole climb a youth climbs the pole to the very top and has to figure out how to balance on a pole that is shaking, but also how to pull themselves up without holding onto anything. Once standing up straight they have to communicate their wishes to their beley team on the ground. For example Christian decides to jump out to the swing and has to let the team on the ground know that so they can hold proper tension on the rope. He decides to grab the swing and let go and it is up to them to catch him using the rope on his harness. Although many of us can not even imagine doing this, our older campers are challenging themselves this week and trying all the rope challenges. They aren't the only ones.

One of every one's favorite challenges is the zip line. Our youth must climb a tree to a platform, maneuver the platform to get hooked to the zip line then fly down the line. Although this challenges has admitly made teenage boys scream like little girls, it is one of the favorite challenges of all our youth. I guess I should add it is also a favorite activity of adults. Our very own Libby Burney donned a harness and helmet, climbed a ladder and tree, then had a mid-air conversation with her knee before making it to the platform. Then she flew down the line, remembered to say, "Whee!" at the end, before announcing to the world that she had great fun.

Other groups were hiking to the beaver dam and the adventurers packed up to head out to the outpost. The Adventurers enjoyed a hobo campfire dinner, played games and slept in tents.
Back at the camp our youth who had water sports last night enjoyed s'mores at the camp fire, sang campfire songs and had a night of traditional camp fun. While the other youth (those in the Sun and Earth groups) had their chance at water sports. In the lake the campers received a challenge to, as a team, sink a canoe without getting in it. They had to submerge the canoe for at least ten seconds. Needless to say that was not a hard task for our campers. However when it came time to empty the water out of the canoe and they could not put it on the bank of the lake the challenge became a little more interesting. Finally after much to do, and figuring out how to communicate they got the canoe on the dock and turned it over to empty it, proving that they can work as a team and natural leadership abilities took charge during this fun challenge.
After the lake our youth headed up the hill to the pool. There you could find beach balls flying, youth sliding in and out of the water, and could see everyone was having a splashing good time. After an hour in the pool it was time for a snack and juice break and then back to the cabins for a shower and bed. Needless to say we had some very tired campers who should sleep well during the night.
Stay tuned for more adventures on Wednesday as our Adventurers share their fun in the woods and our Trekkers head off site for their camp out and challenges.

Camp Keeps Us Rollin'

Who knew that so much fun and excitement could be packed into one day? We started very early at 7:30 am with our first breakfast. There are actually so many campers that we take shifts when we eat. After the first breakfast everyone comes together for flag raising at 8:15 and then second breakfast is at 8:20 am. When you are not eating you are in the cabins cleaning, hoping that your cabin will be so clean that the cabin inspectors will grace you with the golden faucet award or the silver toilet seat (for second runner up). After cabin clean up it is time to hit the trail as we start our activities.

Morning activities were based on age and group. For example the Head group worked on crafts for the first hour of the day while Heart and Hands went to the pool. Some were canoeing, horseback riding, or learning how to shoot arrows with a bow also known as archery. During the day they switched activities so everyone will get a chance to do everything. Lunch time was welcome as our hungry campers chowed down on salad and pizza in the air conditioning.

By about 2:00 a storms system, that sounded worse than it was moved through the area. That allowed us to move up camp store and let campers buy drinks and snacks. After enjoying that they hung out in the rec hall, talking dancing and having a good time while the storm passed by us with a few sprinkles and a much needed temperature drop.
After dinner there was a brief rest period before heading out for the evening activity, water sports. The groups were split in half and while part of them went to the pool the rest went to the lake. Halfway through the evening the groups switched so those in the pool could enjoy the lake and vice versa. The Earth and Sun Groups which are made up of older youth prepared for a camp out, sitting around a campfire but due to the earlier storm it was decided that they would sleep inside their cabins tonight.
After an evening snack it was time to head back to our home away from home our lovely A frame cabins. Showers were taken, cards played and talking occurred on all levels. Then it was time to hit the hay, as my grandfather would say. Sheer exhaustion kicked in as heads hit pillows to dream about what a fun day.