Georgia’s 4-H summer camping program offers a camping experience unparalleled in the nation.  4-H Camp is fun and rewarding. Cooperation and character building, along with just having a great time, are all part of the camping adventure. This summer, Decatur County 4-H’ers had the opportunity to experience many unique activities as they continued to make the best better. 

Decatur County 4-H attended Cloverleaf Camp at Rock Eagle 4-H Center the week of June 3-7, 2019. While there, 4-H’ers enjoyed an array of hands-on workshops such as archery, canoeing, herpetology, high ropes, lake ecology and sailing. Swimming, dancing, crafts, games and team building activities were part of the camp adventure seeking to develop each camper’s Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

Enjoying being part of the Cherokee tribe and winning the coveted Tribal Shield were 4-H’ers: Aidan Angle, Sydni Avery, Langston Bennett, Aden Black, Ethan Black, Hunter Black, Julie Bocanegra, Luke Boyett, Evan Brock, Hailey Brown, Jayden Brown, Caleb Bryant, Kinsey Carruthers, Aubree Dollar, Chloe Eakin, Piper Eidson, Cullen Glover, Ivey Godby, Caden Godwin, Beau Grimes, Marshall Harper, Harley Hicks, Kayley Hodnett, Kaylee Howell, Evan Hutto, Destiney Jones, Callie Jones, Preston Lynn, Cassidy Marshburn, Braeden Martin, Brier Martin, Bryson McLendon, Mia McMillan, Bailey Miller, George Morris, Kenny Moye, Paige Owens, Lucy Raley, Sara Rathel, Maddox Reynolds, Sarah Shaw, Arianna Spikes, Christopher Staples, Riley Starling, John Stout, Tiffany Thomas, Samantha Turnage, Banks Tuten, Henry Vanstone, Adriena Washington, Kierstyn White, and Madelyn Williams.

June 11-13 found Decatur County 4-H’ers participating in 4-H2O camp sponsored by Mitchell County 4-H. Each camp day was located in a different water focus area in Tift County, Mitchell County and Lowndes County where the 4-H’ers from 14 southwest Georgia counties learned the importance of water to humans, animals and crops. Attending from Decatur County were Jacob Moore, Braeden Martin, Banks Tuten, Matthew Ryan, Luke Boyett, Jake Barber, Maddox Reynolds, Ashton Torres, Langston Bennett, Brier Martin and Kacy Kearns.

Other activities included 4-H Adventure Days at Water World in Dothan, Alabama, the Flint Riverquarium and Thronateeska Heritage Center in Albany. 4-H’ers involved were Aidan Angle, Jacob Moore, Ashton Torres, Langston Bennett, Matthew Ryan, Maddox Reynolds, Luke Boyett, Kacy Kearns, Braeden Martin and Brier Martin.

Additionally, Decatur County Senior 4-H’ers Corbin Austin, Journey Austinson, Thomas Neal, Haley Scott, Omarion Smart and Stacy Vulgamore attended State 4-H Council at Rock Eagle 4-H Center on July 5-7, 2019. State 4-H Council, a Georgia 4-H core program, is the constitutional meeting of the Georgia 4-H Council and includes the election of Georgia 4-H State Officers. 

This annual meeting hosts the Iron Clover competition and trainings throughout the weekend for youth and adults. Omarion Smart, an 11th grade 4-H’er at Bainbridge High School applied and was selected to lead a service learning project for the 620 youth registered for the event. Omarion taught four 45 minute sessions.

As the days of summer vacation quickly move into school time, it is sometimes necessary to remind ourselves that summer activities contribute greatly to the overall education of young people. Decatur County 4-H heartily adheres to the 4-H slogan, “Learn by Doing”.

4-H is provided by the University of Georgia Extension. For more information about 4-H programming, contact the Decatur County Extension Office at 229-248-3033.