4-H Extension Corner

GAME CHANGERS

4-H'ERS ENJOY SUMMER CAMP

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

4-H Summer Camp 2022 challenged 1,534 campers to “Be a Game Changer!” Using Birmingham’s World Games as inspiration, leaders planned ways for 4-H'ers to connect to the outdoors and to each other with activities that mirrored the popular athletic events enjoyed at the games. Even daily meals carried out the theme.

Edriona Conner (Hale), Laurie Thompson, Charlie Robin Fowler, and Meg Lewis (Tuscaloosa)

Tuscaloosa: Brycen Turner Tuscaloosa: Austin Posey

Starting on June 3rd and ending July 1st, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Alabama 4-H sponsored nine different three-day sessions at the Alabama 4-H Center, located on Lay Lake near Columbiana. For 4-H'ers, camp was a fun opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, try something new, gain self-confidence and build leadership skills. 4-H Camp activities included swimming, canoeing, paddle-boarding, rock wall climbing and hiking. This year, archery was once again available. Five different fun games pitted groups of campers in friendly competitions, which brought lots of laughs.

Barbour: Kayakers Madisyn King, Emma Dahl (Perry), Kaylee Eiland, Morgan Armstrong, and Eri'Laijah Bailey (Dallas)

Pickens: Brody Detrujillo

During the nine sessions, more than 94 volunteers assisted the staff. They stayed with the kids in the dorms/cottages, chaperoned during each activity and helped in numerous other ways. They made this camp experience fun and memorable for each child.

“Our 4-H volunteers are so valuable to camp and the overall camp experience, as well,” stated Nancy Alexander, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development.

They were the ‘game changers’ for our 4-H'ers. Our volunteers were AWESOME, just like our staff!”

The huge campfire on the last night was something all the campers will never forget. The staff performed hilarious skits, while campers sat around the fire, laughing and singing together.

“Everyone always looks forward to summer camp every year!” said Amy Carbone, Environmental Education Manager at the Alabama 4-H Science School. “We had great weather and the best group of campers! This year was a blast as always, and we are already planning for next year!”

Session 1: June 1 - 3 (177 campers) Lawrence, Montgomery, Tallapoosa, Marengo, Lee, Limestone, Sumter and Blount

Session 2: June 6 - 8 (189 campers) Madison, Jefferson, Marshall, Jackson, Conecuh, Greene, Monroe and Escambia

Session 3: June 8 - 10 (159 campers) Randolph, Lauderdale, Autauga, Butler, Lowndes, Dallas, Perry, Baldwin, Mobile, Morgan and Cullman Session 5: June 15 - 17 (174 campers) Crenshaw, Cleburne, Barbour, Russell, Marion, Calhoun, Franklin, Etowah and Madison

Session 6: June 20 - 22 (169 campers) Shelby, Hale, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Bibb, Walker and Wilcox

Session 7: June 22 - 24 (153 campers) Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, Henry, Elmore, Dale and Houston

Session 8: June 27 - 29 (180 campers) Etowah, Cherokee, Pike, Coffee, Geneva, Clay and Covington