By:
Ami Neiberger

Source:
Marilyn Norman mnnorman@mail.ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 846-0996 ext. 225

GAINESVILLE, Fla.—Summer is here and more than 2,500 youth will embark on “Ed-Ventures” at Florida’s four 4-H camps to make memories that last for a lifetime.

It’s a trip that might have been scrapped, were it not for an active concern by children and their families last fall, as well as new management strategies and financial support for the 4-H camps through the Florida 4-H Foundation.

The state 4-H camping program was nearly downsized last fall due to state legislative cutbacks within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida (UF/IFAS). 4-H Camp Cherry Lake in Madison and 4-H Camp Cloverleaf in Sebring were threatened with closure last November when UF/IFAS was faced with significant budget cuts.

In spite of legislative mandates limiting its flexibility in lean budget times, UF/IFAS searched for creative strategies to keep the 4-H camps afloat financially by seeking a fiscal partnership with the Florida 4-H Foundation.

The Florida 4-H Foundation will take responsibility for two of the four 4-H camps from UF July 1, easing some of the pangs of a tightened budget. “The Florida 4-H Foundation is incredibly supportive, and we are pleased they are assisting us with support for these two beloved 4-H camps,” said Christine Waddill, UF dean for extension.

Additional help came from U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd, who attended 4-H Camp Cherry Lake during his own childhood. Boyd spearheaded acquiring a $100,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Education to provide support for staffing and supplies for three years for the two camps.

Children from 61 of Florida’s 67 counties and the Seminole Tribes 4-H program will attend summer camp this year at one of the four 4-H camps. In addition to 4-H Camps Cloverleaf and Cherry Lake, UF also operates 4-H Camp Timpoochee near Niceville and 4-H Camp Ocala near Umatilla.

The four camps host 4-H summer campers from late May through early August, but are open year-round to provide leadership retreats and 4-H educational programs, in addition to hosting family reunions and business retreats.

“We are thrilled to have all four camps open and to have so many children attending camp this summer,” said Marilyn Norman, the newly appointed state 4-H leader at UF. “Camp helps children make memories that last a lifetime. It helps them develop independent living skills while they grow socially and educationally,” she said.

Snorkeling, canoeing, hiking, swimming, campfires and games are just a few of the activities offered. “Camp is a great way for youth to learn, to have fun and to develop lifelong skills,” said Jerry Culen, associate professor in UF family, youth and community sciences department.

Culen provides leadership to the state 4-H environmental education program. Campers learn team building and leadership through educational experiences planned by county extension agents and camp staff.

He said that special educational offerings at the camps have expanded this summer, rather than declined. Three weeks of state 4-H marine camps and a weeklong district horse camp will be hosted at 4-H Camp Timpoochee, expanding the schedule for the popular camps from last year.

Senior Camp for teens will be held at 4-H Camp Cloverleaf in Sebring. Environmental Ed-Ventures at 4-H Camps Ocala and Cloverleaf will educate young people about the outdoors. A new sport fishing camp will be held at 4-H Camp Ocala at the same time as the state 4-H shooting sports camp in early July.

The 4-H program is the youth development program of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, which is part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences headquartered in Gainesville.

4-H worked with more than 287,000 youth ages 5-18 last year in Florida and has programs active in all of Florida’s 67 counties and on five Seminole Tribes reservations in south Florida. The extension service is funded by a partnership between federal, state and county government agencies.

For more information on 4-H summer education programs visit the web site at http://www.florida4h.org or contact the county extension office in your area for a list of 4-H educational opportunities.

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