Camp Ocala: A Counselor’s Perspective
Keri Hannukainen
4-H Camp Ocala was an absolute success this year. As campers, we were able to experience all of the joy of being a 4-H’er at camp. As counselors, we were able to take on leadership roles and help our campers to enjoy camp to the fullest. Despite some unique problems at camp this year, Camp Ocala was able to once again provide the opportunity to 4-H youth to enjoy life, make new friends, and learn new things—both about ourselves and about the world.
As Ms. Jean was unable to attend camp, the O.C.A.L.A class was canceled this year. While there were many complaints as this is many campers’ favorite class, the camp class list seemed more diverse than ever. Many of the classes this year were more on the science side, but were still just as fun. While walking across camp, you could see the Science with a Twist class making ice cream, the Aquatic Wonders class getting wet, and the Rocketry class building and firing rockets that raced to the sky. The standard camp staff classes were great, but my favorite class would have to be the PPPH Media Class. What is better than taking pictures of your experiences at camp and putting them in a slide show?
Pinellas County claimed 5 of the 10 spirit awards given at the end of camp. The results are listed below.
· Junior Head—Jared McNelis
· Junior Health—Andrew Woolley
· Senior Head—Adison Julian
· Senior Health—Matthew Galiano
· Senior Spirit—Evan Julian
The last activity at camp is the Friendship Circle. Before the Friendship Circle began, the camp staff surprised everyone with a new type of award. This award would be presented to those whom the camp staff believed to best embody the Camp Ocala spirit and who the staff hoped would later join them as camp staff. Colleen McNelis and Evan Julian were selected and were presented with “Property of Camp Ocala” t-shirts.
The Friendship Circle concluded the exhausting, but unforgettable, experience that is 4-H Camp Ocala. While I will not be returning next year as I have graduated, I will always remember camp and the friends that I have made there fondly. I sincerely hope that all of you return to Camp Ocala next year and treasure every moment as your time at camp will pass all too quickly.
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