More than 800 Florida 4-H youth will meet with Florida legislators to ask for funding for a revitalization campaign for a beloved 4-H camp.

When: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 6

Key times and sources:

9:30 a.m.  to 10 a.m. Opening Assembly, Capitol Courtyard

• FAMU Extension Director Vonda Richardson
• FDACS Commissioner Wilton Simpson

12:30 p.m.  to 1 p.m. Lunch Assembly, Capitol Courtyard

• National 4-H Council CEO Jill Bramble
• UF/IFAS Dean for Extension Andra Johnson
• Florida 4-H State Program Leader Stacey Ellison

2 p.m.

• Sen. Keith Perry, Senate Office Building, 403 (4-H Legislative Champion Awardee)

Where: Florida State Capitol Building, 400 S. Monroe St.

About:

More than 800 Florida 4-H youth will meet with state legislators on Tuesday to tell their success stories from their 4-H experience and to ask the legislature to revitalize their beloved 4-H camp, Camp Cherry Lake.

Florida 4-H Day at the Capitol is one of the largest Capitol connection days and the largest 4-H day in the nation. The event gives youth hands-on experience with the legislative process.

Youth will advocate for their peers to have access to opportunities with 4-H, including hands-on outdoor science learning at 4-H camps, via continued legislative support. They will also encourage legislators to champion a $3.5 million campaign to restore Florida 4-H Camp Cherry Lake, an iconic 4-H camp which currently has no cabins for overnight camping.

“As an educator I know the importance of young people having access to hands-on learning. Florida 4-H Camps provide an outdoor learning environment where science comes to life. The Florida 4-H Foundation is excited to champion support for 4-H, and we appreciate our Legislative Champions – Representative Allison Tant and Senator Keith Perry – for sponsoring support toward our $3.5 million cabin campaign at 4-H Camp Cherry Lake,” said Isaac E. Chandler, Florida 4-H Foundation president and a longtime educator.

4-H is the Youth Development Program of the land-grant university and Cooperative Extension system serving youth ages 5 to 18 with hands-on learning to build life skills to be responsible, contributing citizens. In Florida, 4-H is a program of the University of Florida (UF/IFAS) and Florida A&M University.

Youth with compelling personal stories about Florida 4-H will be available for interviews.

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