By:
Ami Neiberger

Source:
Jerry Culen jrcu@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 846-0996 ext. 250

GAINESVILLE—Get ready campers, summertime is here. It’s time to pack your sunscreen and swimsuit, and head for a new adventure at one of the four 4-H centers in Florida.

Organizers say the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. You can choose from forestry camp, marine camp or an environmental “ed-venture.” Owl prowls, canteens, sing-a-longs and canoeing are just a few of the activities planned.

Why go to camp? “You can see the natural Florida and make new friends while having a good time,” said Wendy Zimmerman, program director at the Ocala 4-H Center. “Sometimes I think parents are surprised to hear that kids want to come to camp, but a lot of them do. I’ve seen kids make friends at camp and become pen pals.”

Hailing from across the sunshine state and around the globe, this year’s staff is ready to have fun and help campers explore the natural world around them. Eight staffers spread among the four 4-H centers are from overseas, offering kids the opportunity to interact with people from other cultures.

The 4-H Centers are part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. UF professors help design the interactive activities and make sure that everything is up-to-date with the latest research.

“We really provide a lot for kids to learn about and explore at our 4-H Centers,” said Jerry Culen, an associate professor in the UF department of family, youth and community sciences. Culen oversees the 4-H summer environmental education programs. “This is a great opportunity for a child to be outdoors and to learn something new.”

To see the 4-H Centers online and get registration information, visit our Web site. Contact your local county cooperative extension office about available 4-H summer educational opportunities in your area. Many county 4-H programs offer local day camps in addition to residential camping.

Environmental “Ed-Venture” Cost: $175.00 per camper, ages 8-18
Cloverleaf 4-H Center July 5-8 located in Highlands County near Lake Placid
Ocala 4-H Center July 9-14 located in Lake County near Umatilla
Ocala 4-H Center July 23-28 located in Lake County near Umatilla

Forestry Camp Cost: $20.00 (note: remainder of camper fee is donated by the Alfred I. Dupont Foundation) Timpoochee 4-H Center July 5-8 located in Okaloosa County near Destin. Ages 13-18 only

Marine Exploration Cost: $175.00, ages 8-18
State Marine Institute, Timpoochee 4-H Center July 10-14 located in Okaloosa County near Destin
Marine Camp, Timpoochee 4-H Center July 24-28 located in Okaloosa County near Destin

Note: Costs include meals and lodging for one camper and a summer camp t-shirt. Campers should be at least 8 years old by Sept. 1, 1999 to participate unless otherwise indicated.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Photo 1: Only 4-H Could Make Oatmeal This Much Fun
Mom never said you could do this with oatmeal. 4-H staffers Josh Cooper, Rebecca Henly, Melissa Godwin and Ben Ransom take a break from staff training to try out a new teambuilding exercise passing cold oatmeal over one’s head and into a bucket. If you want your kids to have fun and learn about nature at one of the 4-H centers this summer, check out 4-H summer adventures online.

Photo 2: Bug Condo Invaded by 4-H Inspectors
4-H staff member Melissa Godwin, UF entomologist John Zenger and 4-H staff member Lee Johnston inspect a log at the Ocala 4-H Center for bugs. The staffers are learning fun interactive activities with hundreds of kids this summer. If you want your kids to have fun and learn about nature at one of the 4-H centers this summer, check out 4-H summer adventures online.

Photo 3: Lakeside 4-H Pop Quiz: What kind of bug is it?
4-H staff members Amber Emmons and Katie Cowen try to figure out what kind of aquatic bug they’ve corralled in a specimen jar at staff training. Emmons and Cowen will work with hundreds of kids this summer who will be attending one of the four 4-H centers in Florida. If you want your kids to have fun and learn about nature this summer, check out 4-H summer adventures online.

To obtain photos contact Ami Neiberger, state 4-H public relations coordinator, (352) 846-0996 ext. 237 to request photo. Specify deadline and format needed. We can email photos as well as send via standard mail. Visit Florida 4-H online

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