Getting Colorfully Adjusted

This is one of our very favorite weeks of Summer Fun, Cloverbud Day Camp! Cloverbud Day Camp is for youth between the ages of 5 and 8 years old. The camp starts at 8:30 am and runs until 3 each afternoon. Our Day Campers are getting into the swing of school on this schedule and getting the chance to make new friends and do a lot of hands on learning while they are with us.
Monday's are a little unusual as we are setting our schedule for the week, meeting each other, setting the rules and learning where everything is. Don't worry by Friday they will be old pros at this.
We started our day with coloring sheets to give everyone a chance to wake up and be creative. Then we hit the carpet to make our rules. Things like have fun, be respectful, and keep your hands and feet to yourself made the list. The day campers also made the consequences for breaking the rules.
After getting all of the ground rules out of the way it was time to meet Tamika McLean, Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Program Assistant. She introduced our youth to Professor Popcorn who likes to teach youth about foods, nutrition, and exercise. Today they also did the Glo-germ experiment. The youth put a special lotion on their hands and under a black light the germs on their hands would glow. Then they would go into the bathroom and practice proper hand washing that Mrs. Tamika taught them. After wards it was time to go to the kitchen to make a special treat.

After we got done preparing our treats we headed back into the auditorium and made very special 4-H bracelets with Miss Shea Ann. Our bracelets taught us all about 4-H, the pledge, logo and motto. We also learned the the colors for 4-H are green and white. After that it was time for lunch. Mrs. Penny made us a wonderful lunch and we had a good time eating and making new friends. After lunch we worked with Mrs. Janice and learned how to use a measuring cup and spoons. Miss Shea Ann did science experiments with us and we learned how to make different colors. We learned about colors that can't be made by adding two colors together, those are primary colors. The we actually made colors with primary colors. For example we mixed red and blue and made a pretty purple. We mixed blue and yellow to make 4-H green, and then when we mixed yellow and red it made orange. It was a lot of fun making the water turn colors then we practiced the same thing with crayons on a special worksheet Miss Shea Ann made.

At the end of the day we ate our snack and gathered all of our things together. Tomorrow will be a new day with new adventures, and we can't wait to come back.

Taking a Shot in the Dark

The following is a report submitted by the Dirty Dozen 4-H Club concerning their meeting today.
"Our meeting started out overcast and a little warm and ended up overcast and HOT. The first part of the meeting was spent discussing our upcoming fair display. Dillon and Christopher, the 2 members that showed up, came up with some really good ideas. Allen was unable to attend the meeting but sent his parents in his place. Mrs. Peggy took notes and kept us inline as to our seal and project record books. (Which we need to follow up on).
Mr. George and Mr. Jake weren't left out of the action. When the shooting started they were right in there keeping up with the kids. They even helped put bullet holes in cans hanging from twine that will be used for an upcoming project that the rest of you will learn about at our next meeting.
I think they all did very well shooting the cans, (Mr. Jake even shot the string holding 1 of the cans), and paper targets considering they did it from the standing position at distances from 15 yards to 25 yards. (25 yards was Mr. George's idea).
Our next club meeting will be held Saturday, Sept. 3rd., at the 4-H office.

See you there,
--Mr. Larry"

Wrapping it all Together

The last day of Biotech the Threequeal day camp was a little nontraditional. We did something that other people do for us and that was to give a presentation. Each County chose a different day to highlight, made a poster and got up to talk about what they learned. The rules were simple everyone had to help with the presentation and everyone had to speak.
On Monday one group talked about food science. They talked about how bread is made and that root bear and bread both use yeast in different ways. They were able to talk about chemical reactions and temperature reactions. They also said the peach jam was really good. Overall the comments were that the foods rocked and so does 4-H which keeps a smile on their face.
The group that talked about our trip to Pope Air Field just didn't quite know where to start. There were so many things to talk about. The technology of airplanes and equipment. The survival gear (they seemed to especially love the parachutes) and tower trainer made big impressions also. The entire military life and lifestyle as well as codes and ethics also impressed our youth.
Wednesday at the life sciences museum our youth must have had a blast. Their poster showed everything from butterflies and insects to animals and games. They even represented the musical steel instruments on the playground and lessons in magnetism that they took part in at the museum.
The presentation about the trip to ECU was very logical and straight forward. Our youth were able to recall not only the purpose of the Da Vinci robot but the history and the future implications of the robot. The day campers recalled the benefits to operating with the robot versus a human (humans hands are not as steady, incision in the patient is smaller and ribs don't have to be spread, recovery time is shorter, etc.). They even recanted details of the heart surgery they watched.
After the presentations we had a catered lunch and then went bowling to practice centrifugal force at its finest. Looking in from the outside it might look like we had a lot of fun field trips this week. In part we did. However our youth demonstrated that they learned something. Our evaluation shows that 100% of our youth were able to determine a career that they might want to explore, or one they know they don't want to explore thanks to this day camp. They were introduced to ideas, professions, technologies, sciences, and people who can help them in the future. Who knows, maybe one of these youth will create the next medical robot that won't require an incision for surgery. Maybe one of them will be flying a cargo plane full of relief supplies to a foreign county, or maybe they will be the next great science teacher making science, technology, engineering and mathematics fun for new generations. Imagine what they could be and hopefully they are encouraged to purse the possibilities now.

Medical Robotics

Did you ever want to be a doctor when you grew up? Well our day campers in Biotech III the threequeal found out not only what it takes to be a doctor, but a glimpse of medicine in the future. Day four found us travelling to Greenville, North Carolina to East Carolina University. There we visited the medical school and medical center to see something, that it is probably safe to say none of us had seen before.
Our youth went to a classroom and about ten at a time had the chance to go place their hands on a state of the art two million dollar piece of equipment. The Da Vinci robot allows doctors to do heart surgery through a small slit, repairing segments of the heart. The overall experience means less time for the patient in the hospital, reduced chance of infection, and since the rib cage does not have to be cracked it means an easier recovery time for the patients with less medication. Our youth had the chance to practice "surgery" by using the robot on a model where they moved rubber bands within a realistic representation of a human chest. Some had difficulty maneuvering the robotic hands to pick up rubber bands and move them to different sections of the heart. Others not only were able to move but grab and place objects with one or both of the robotic arms. You might think this would be easy with all the practice our youth have on video games but this was very different. The Da Vinci works with the person at a remote station using two fingers (thumb and index) to control the motion and the pinching at the other end to grab objects. The controls are quite sensitive and our youth are used to making bigger gestures to get the job done on video games then are required for this medical technology. One youth after finishing his turn on the controls said he had never thought of medicine as something he could do, but that this was a path he might like to pursue.
While our youth were taking turns with the Da Vinci, the rest were watching a video of an actual heart surgery. they got to see how the Da Vinci works, that there is a camera that reflects what is in the chest cavity on a screen so the surgeon can see what he or she is doing with the robot serving as their arms, hands, and fingers. There were lots of questions and our youth were very inquisitive concerning the procedure and how things were done (including why it look like they were using a fishing hook to sew things together). Our host was most congenial as he explained the role of the robot and the Doctors and nurses. We talked about technology in medicine, how that could change the face of surgery and how we treat diseases in the future.
After a wonderful lunch we piled into our vehicles and headed to Wilson, North Carolina where we visited the Imagination Station. There are youth had a hands on science adventure with everything from state history, to reptiles, and even dental health. They had the opportunity to find out how fast they are compared to animals, make their body disappear, pump fluids just like our heart pumps blood and much more. It was bitter sweet as we loaded up and headed home but tomorrow we will get to do something they really love, talk. Then it will be a hands on lesson in centrifugal force, and chances are it will bowl them over.

Building a Knowledge of Life Sciences

Day number three of Bio-tech the threequeal found us travelling to Durham, NC. There we visited the North Carolina Museum of Life and Sciences. This hands on museum is fun for everyone involved. On the way to our big adventure we stopped at the small farm that has pigs, cows, sheep, and more. We visited with the animals and learned their likes and dislikes. Then we ran around the corner to the butterfly pavilion. There we saw unique plants and insects. Of course there were butterflies everywhere. Red, orange, blue and yellow winged creatures as well as plants for them to hide in, feed off of, and just educate our young. Outside of the butterflies we had the chance to see creatures such as hissing cockroaches, tarantulas and ants. The hands on exhibits allowed for x-ray views, microscopic learning, and lots of noise.

Since we had a few minutes before lunch we headed to the experiential playground to work up our appetites. There we climbed in, up, and around a train caboose. Played hanging steel drums, climbed forts, and just had a good time running and playing like we never had before.

After a hike to the picnic pavilion (which I must admit, the campers were right, it did look like an inverse version of the death star in Star Wars) we enjoyed a lunch of hamburgers or chicken tenders. Bladen county caught up to us at this point and due to the extreme heat of the day we decided it would be best to stay indoors and enjoy the air conditioned part of the museum.

After we trekked back we let everyone explore. There was a room with living reptiles and night creatures. An entire space center, hands on experiments, lessons in momentum, and even the crash test dummies showing what happens when you don't wear a seat belt. We had an afternoon of science, technology, communication and plain old fashioned fun. It didn't seem to take long to get to that time where we had to pack up and head home. We recounted all the fun of the day and talked about tomorrow. All I can say is I hope everyone feels well for tomorrow's trip.

Military Technology

Tuesday was a world wind of activity as we took off for Cumberland County with a brief touchdown at the Extension office. We went from there to what was known as Pope Air Force Base which is now part of Fort Bragg and known as Pope Air Field. The Air Force and planes are still there it is just not a separate base any more. As we got through security check points we stopped at the air park and met with Lisa Moore who is with Public Affairs and Major Deanna Franks who is an airman with the 440th Airlift Wing. We learned about all the different planes at the air park their purpose, many of which is to transport equipment and supplies. Did you know that they can drop a piece of heavy machinery, like a bulldozer, from mid air and it will land safely (with the help of technology and a parachute) so it can be used by soldiers on the ground? We learned about the different technology and sciences that are involved in the planes that the Air Force uses and we learned how much Major Franks enjoys her job as well. When she was done showing us around our youth had a chance to climb under the planes, play with the wheels, read about the history behind each of these aviation marvels.

From the air park we travelled to the 440th OG-Aircrew Flight Equipment center and met with Staff Sergent Mandy Smith and Airmen First Class Marco Pascua. They were kind enough to show us all the survival equipment airmen use. As a matter of fact they demonstrated most of it and wore it for us. Did you know that their survival gear alone adds more than 50 pounds to someone flying? Can you imagine hours in a cockpit wearing an extra 50 pounds? That does not even include a helmet or a helmet with night vision goggles that are so heavy they have to add a weight to the back of the helmet so the pilot can keep their head up. While we learned what all the equipment that the carry is for we got the chance to see some really top notch technology that could help save their lives. We also got the opportunity to try on the survival vest, parachute, helmet and test out the night vision goggles. Talk about flying high!

After trying on all that equipment we had worked up an appetite. So we headed to a playground overlooking a set of runways where we enjoyed a picnic lunch from Subway and watched planes take off an land. It was just a hop skip and a jump from our location to our next exciting stop. We walked through the doors of a building that houses the 342nd Combat School. There we met Master Sergeant Marcus Millard. He gave us a tour through time showing us different uniforms and technology as it was changed through the years. We saw doors from vehicles with bullet holes and radio equipment that has definitely gotten smaller over the years. The highlight of the trip was out back of the building. There we a gigantic tower where the soldiers train. The brave ones, under the strict supervision of the Master Sergeant climbed to the top of the tower and had quite a view. Just in case you are wondering they did not repel down, they climbed down the way they went up. After making it down from the tower we checked out the swimming pool obstacle course and the weight room where they train and strengthen.
After saying goodbye and thank you to Master Sergeant Millard we hit the road again for one last stop. This stop was off post at the Airborne Special Operations Museum. There our youth got the chance to see a move on aerospace, ride a simulator which made them feel like they were riding a variety of military vehicle, and see interactive displays about various military operations. Our day campers saw how technology has progressed and how everyone has a part in that design and development. They also got a chance to see how important technology is to our everyday lives and comfort at home and in the field.
After an exhausting day we headed back to our respective counties. We processed all of the days events and fun and then thought about what is ahead for tomorrow. Without giving it away all I can say is it science doesn't just fly...sometimes science comes in the form of 4 legs.

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.