Just Clayin' Around

  The first Thursday of the month?  That means its time for the All Around All Stars 4-H Arts and Crafts Club to meet, and meet they did.  This is a club on a mission, a mission for a fair booth.  With the theme of "4-H Join the Revolution of Responsibility" this club is crafting an awesome booth.  Not only that but they took the opportunity at this club meeting to start clayin' around to have some entries for the youth home exhibit section at the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair.
  Using a special air dry clay members worked on making a bowl.  Once dry (they are letting them dry not just overnight but for an entire month) they will paint them and get them ready to enter in the fair for competition.  This is the first time in more than a decade that a club has taken on a home exhibits project angle for the fair and we are so excited.
  The All Around All Stars will meet again next month and continue working on their fair projects.  If you would like more information about this club please contact the Robeson County 4-H office at (910) 671-3276.

The Buzz is all About Science

  We were buzzing with excitement on day four of 4-H Biotech day camp.  We started by stopping at ComTech.  There we met with Dr. Len Holmes an associate professor in Biochemistry, Bioprocessing, Fermentation, and Technology.  He introduced us to members of the Robeson County Bee Keepers Association; Dr. Reginald Oxendine and Dennis Clark told us all about bees.  They told us that there are laid back bees and aggressive bees.  They showed us how to find and mark the queen bee.  They also told us the difference between queen bees, drones and worker bees.  Mr. Clark told us that the honey you buy in the store isn't really honey, and we should buy local honey from bee keepers becuase it is actually good for us and will help us with allergies, and is a natural sweetener.
  From there we went to the dining hall at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) for lunch.  We had a choice of a variety of items and we really enjoyed eating lunch in an official college environment with other college students.
From there we took a brief walk to building of physical sciences.  We had the opportunity to meet the head of the Chemistry and Physics, Dr. Sivanadane Mandjiny.  He welcomed the 4-H members and encouraged them to continue to be excited about science.  Many of the campers thought he was one of the coolest people they had ever met.  After the introductions we split into two groups to work in the labs.  One group learned about extracting DNA from a strawberry while the other learned about cells in plants and got to see cutting edge research as its happening.  Each group then switched so they both had the chance to do the experiments. Shanna Harrelson showed the youth the multi-million dollars of equipment that they use for research and teaching in the department.  Many of the machines she was able to equate to real life scenarios which made the youth realize how much science is involved in our everyday lives.

  After that we hit the Native American Museum housed on campus.  There the youth saw examples of Native American art, learned more about the history of the Lumbee tribe, and had the chance to see how science is involved in art and nature.  It was just a hop. skip, and jump to the next stop on our tour the Mary Livermore Library.  Although many youth did not see the need in a college library becuase they did not think they would ever need books they quickly learned books are just one of the services offered at this library.  Here students have access to written works that have not been converted to digital media, as well as mirofiche and microfilm resources.  they also have the opportunity to use a computer network that gives them access to software that they would not be able to afford but need for specific classes.  Another thing you might not think of but we found out they have, are IPads available for check out.  Imagine that.
  We left the UNCP campus just before a storm hit and all made it safely back to the office for parents to pick up our campers.  So what is in store for our last day?  Something I garuntee you that will bring forth something you don't think about when talking science.  Let's just say we are expecting an emotional day.    

There was No Monkey Business Today

  In case you were wondering there is no bull about that title, however there might be a little bison.  On day three of 4-H Bio-tech day camp we focused on animal science with a hint of environmental conservation as we all traveled to Asheboro to the North Carolina Zoo.  It was a gorgeous day to start with as we avoided the big heat wave we had been having.  After entering the zoo we decided to hit the tram and travel to Africa and work our way back.
  We started by visiting the Ostriches and learning about the natural environment around them.  We also saw Gorillas, Baboons, Rhinos and much more.  Before hitting the tram to get us to lunch we checked out the helicopter, a tool that is necessary in Africa to study animals in their natural habitat, give them aid, and bring us more information about wild animals so that we can do everything we can as humans to protect them from becoming extinct.  Did you know that there are actually more than 17,000 species of animals that are listed as endangered or critically endangered?  That is out of more than a millions species that are reported to exist.  Zoos play a very important role in providing shelter and breeding sanctuaries for animals that are endangered.  Although many of the animals that we visit at the zoo are not on the endangered list, many of them would not be able to survive in the wild, and by being a part of the zoo researchers can study them, care for them and find way to help animals in the wild to ensure they do not become extinct.
  To make sure we made it to the lunch meeting spot on time we got on one of the North Carolina Zoo's special zebra buses.  These buses are powered by used cooking oil that has been refined into a bio fuel.  It serves two purposes not only are they recycling by doing this but they are also keeping what could be harmful materials out of the environment which means a better carbon footprint for plants and animals in the future.  Recycling is very important to the zoo and they are making a community wide effort to spread the word about its importance.  We stopped at the junction for a hamburger or hot dog lunch, and a bit of a seat before we headed on.

  Our next stop was North America with a goal of seeing all 1,100 animals at the zoo along with the 40,000 different types of plants.  The kids were buzzing about our first stop at the Honey Bee Garden.  Sponsored by the North Carolina Bee Keepers Association (a group that we are very familiar with in Cooperative Extension) showed us how to find a queen and the importance of bees in our society today.  Our nest stop was the Sonora Desert.  Of course you see all sorts of things in the dessert, like tutles, snakes, and aparently Ocelots which had everyone oohhhing and ahhhing.  After the desert it was time to hike on to see the red wolves, grizzly bears, and head to the Praire Outpost whic is the highest part of the zoo.  From there we saw Bison and Elk before checking out the otters playing with each other streamside.  We made a quick trip back towards the North American Plaza so we could make it home in time to see our parents.  Overall we had a lot of fun and saw things we could not see anywhere else.
  Stay tuned tomorrow as we get ready to blow things wide open with an introduction to the world of college science.

Extreme Degrees of Learning

  We were all business on day two of our 4-H Biotech day camp.  Today all four counties met at the 4-H office for some teen lead science experiements.  After learning how to make a lava lamp, make milk colorful, squish marshmallows without touching them, and imploding a can with air preasure we had our snack and then loaded up for a day of science and learning.
  Our first stop was U. S. Cold Storage in Lumberton.  We were met by Steve Musselwhite, the plant manager.  He told us that U.S. Cold storage flash freezes fresh foods for transportation around the state, country, and even world.  We learned that there is not a spot on the globe that they don't transport to (trust .  As part of learning about their business we also got donned in heavy parkas as we hit the storage areas and saw just how cold their day is.  Not only do they use science to make things cold (actually they don't make things cold they extract heat which makes things cold), but they use technology to flash freeze items, store food, and to track where every package goes.  We took turns touring the loading dock, becuase we needed the big coats to survive.  When all 40 of us had done the tour, we gave our sincere thank yous, and loaded up in the vans.
  Our next stop was Golden Corral for lunch.  We had a little bit of everything and a really good time getting to better know our friends from other counties.  After lunch we hit the road again to head to St. Paul's.  There we met the folks from Prestage and FLS Energy.  Prestage farms produces and processes poultry and pork to feed the world.  While FLS Energy is a full service solar company offering alternative energy solutions to home owners, business, agri-business, government and more.
  Our mission today, thanks to Summer Lanier, the Public Relations Director of Prestage, was to tour the largest hot water solar farm in the nation.  That's right in  the nation.  Scott Kelly with FLS explained how the solar pannels work, while Michael Pope explained how the solar farm project was put together, and how much money and energy it is saving Prestage.  Not to mention how much less impact they are now making on the environment with their carbon foot print.  Our youth learned how the hot water travels between the plant and the solar panels getting heated by the sun.  The plant usues a large amount of very hot water for their chicken processing operation and the solar energy is making a tremendous difference for their business.  The youth also learned how the same technology can work for their homes and other power projects.
  If you thought today was about the bottom dollar, wait until you see the monkey business we have in store for tomorrow.
    

It's a Wonder We Didn't Learn More

  It's probably the most popular week of our 4-H Summer Fun Program each and every year.  That's right it's Biotech day camp!  This year we are calling it 4-H Bio-tech 4 the Quad experiment.  It is a week full of new and exciting opportunities based on science!  For those of you not familiar with this award winning program, the premise is quite simple.  Youth from four counties (10 youth from each) get together to go to the science experts.  This is not a lecture series.  Everywhere we go is full of fun, hands on opportunities, and the chance to learn how things work in everyday life so they can use that knowledge to build on for their lifetimes.
  Our first day this week started with a very early morning and a trip to Wonder Works in Myrtle Beach, SC.  It was very exciting as we entered the topsy turvey building to begin a day of exploration.  After making it through the spinning walkway we walked into a severe weather room.  There was a hurricane shack where you could try to stand up to gail force winds, stick your hand in the freezing waters that surrounded the titanic on the night it sank, and even check out how rain falls, or does it?
     After being whipped around by the weather it was time for our youth to do a little whipping up of their own, in the sports fields.  You never really know how much science is behind anything until you see something like this.  From measuring the speed of a baseball pitch to playing virtual air hockey the science principles where everywhere.  They learned about their ability to jump and how to measure it, the kinetic energy involved in playing basketball, how levers and pulleys can make life easier.  Then the X-factor kicked in.  Our youth had the chance to get on two person cycles and pedal to turn them in a complete 360 degree circle, essentially turning themselves upside down.
    After wearing ourselves out on the first floor we climbed the steps to increase our level of hands on fun and excitement.  On the next floor there were mirrors, a bed of nails (that yes they actually laid on) lessons on probability, electromagnetism, mind control, and convex as well as concave curves and how they can change your visual impression.  Our youth had the chance to experience a virtual roller coaster and even check out the bubble room making bubbles that were truly larger than life.
   After all of that fun and excitement we headed to the party room for lunch.  We sat down to enjoy some pizza for lunch and made friends with all the folks from the other counties.  We also plotted and planned our next moves becuase we only had two hours of fun left at Wonder Works.
   After lunch we hit floor two (for those who were not finished) and floor three.  Floor three had a lot of space and aircraft simulators.  It also had space suits and the opportunity for our youth to become pilots.  the biggest attraction on the top floor, the ropes course.  This isn't a wall that you climb up and down, this is an entire floor of its own, except it doesn't have a floor.  Confused?  So were we.  Our youth got harnessed in and walked up to a course that was made of steel beams and ropes, walking up and down and all around while holding on to a safety rope that moved with them.  It was amazing as they maneuvered from one end to the other and back again.
  After testing their muscles, including their brains, it was time to load up and head home.  We hit the trail and  headed home, so we could have another day of fun tomorrow.  Wondering what our business will be tomorrow?  Stay tuned this is only going to heat up and get better.

We're Proud, We Were Loud, & We're Home!

  Friday was our last day at camp and full of mixed emotions.  Honestly, just like our safety officer for the day, Damien,  we didn't know whether to hug everyone and everything, laugh or cry.  Our tired and tuckered youth packed up their things and dragged their stuff up to the luggage drop off points around the camp.  We also enjoyed our last meal together at breakfast.  From there our normal daily schedule took another turn.

  We all headed to the rec hall for the official lost and found auction.  You would be amazed at what gets left around the camp.  Then it was time for camper awards.  Each cabin counselor called their cabins up and gave awards to each camper, from the swag award to the super camper, and even the questionator the awards were matches for each camper while they were enjoying their week of camp.  After the awards and before the goodbyes we had one more surprise.  It was time for the slide show.  Parents you have had a chance to see the photos all week, our youth however, have not seen a one.  So this brief slide show was a chance to see the photos and relive the events of the week.  It also gave everyone a chance to laugh, say, "Awwwwhhhhh,", and even shed a tear or two.  After that we dismissed by county and headed to our vehicles for our ride home.  As we hugged our counselors and hated leaving it was time to return to the ones who let us have this great opportunity.
  Thank you to all who made this happen, our parents, scholarship donors, Indian Education, and of course the staff who took such good care of us.  Stay tuned because sometime in September we will announce the dates for camp in 2013.  That will let everyone who wants to go back to go ahead and plan in advance for more fun at Betsy Jeff Penn and with 4-H.  If you would like to become more involved in 4-H give us a call at (910) 671-3276.

Singing and Dancing is Our Whole Life....

  When you think camp you might think about camp fire songs, but rarely, outside of maybe a square dance do you think of dancing.  However on our last full day of camp there was a whole lot of singing and dancing going on and we will get to that in just a minute.
  Our day started much like our others with breakfast, cabin cleanup, and figuring out the schedule of events. While our youngest campers headed toward the pool, lake, and archery range, our middle aged campers hiked up to the high ropes course.  There they had a chance to climb a rather tall pole and jump off (while safely harnessed in and attached via safety ropes to the ground), and climb up to walk across a horizontal pole and or a rope bridge.  Our adventurers were waking up at the outpost and the Trekkers made their way to Pilot mountain after canoeing the river the day before and camping out.
  Back at camp our campers had a satisfying lunch and moved on to play games, go horse back riding, try out the boulder wall and more.  Our youth who had been climbing on the ropes course were enjoying a little pool time and the Adventurers had a chance to canoe one last time.  The Trekkers left Pilot Mountain and made it back just in time for their last camp store.  Then they headed to the cabins for much needed showers (trust me they were well needed), while our other campers finished out their schedules with crafts, fossil hunting, horses, games, archery and of course the pool.

  After dinner the air had a different smell to it as our boys and girls got ready for the farewell dance.  Everyone got dressed nicely and headed to the rec hall to enjoy the music and dance.  For those who really don't like dancing there were plenty of other things to do.  The L.I.T.'s were making icees for anyone who wanted them.  There were games like corn hole, jump rope and even football going on, and just friends hanging out together enjoying the night.  I have to admit the dance was something special, becuase not only did they have music from their favorite camp D. J., Dr. Jacobs, but they had fun dancing together, putting their spin on old and new dance moves throughout the night, and just enjoying time together with friends.
  The dance marked the last activity before the closing campfire.  Everyone gathered for skits, laughs and a whole lot of smoke as the fire did its best to extinguish itself.  When it was all said and done the campers headed back to their cabins to shower, change, and start packing up.  By 10:30 it was time for lights out as our youth can dream about all the fun they had today.
  Tomorrow we will head home and may we suggest calling you local Extension office to determine what time your favorite camper will get in.  In the meantime we will let our exhausted children sleep, get them packed up and fed, and ready for our last few moments at a place they will remember a lifetime, Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center.