4-H campers enjoy overnight adventures

By Lil Spinks, West Nassau Correspondent

The first camp in the 4-H Summer Camp Program series took place at 4-H Camp Cherry Lake in Madison in June.

The weeklong overnight adventure was for youths ages 8 to 12 and was the only overnight camp during the series, said 4-H Program Leader Amanda Thien.

Thien said 33 youths from Nassau County, who were accompanied by five adult chaperones and teenagers fulfilling the roles of counselors or counselors in training, enjoyed a week of activities appropriate for their age categories, including canoeing/kayaking, archery, camp crafts, marine madness, orienteering, and more. They also played games such as Four Square, Tug of War, Dizzy Bats, and enjoyed a camp carnival one night.

Occupants in cabins performed songs for a "4-H Idol contest" and the level of talent was amazing, said Thien.

The youths enjoyed meeting new friends and learning songs to come back and share with friends and family.

Nassau County youths attended the camp with Baker, Bradford, and Madison County 4-H youth, said Thien.

Then, on June 11, a team of four Nassau County 4-H members competed in the state Poultry Judging Competition, said Thien.

The team of Eric Byrd, Arin Crossway and Jane and Rachel Benoit placed first in the state competition. Byrd was recognized as fourth high individual and Rachel Benoit received third high individual.

These youth are juniors and will not have an opportunity to advance to the national level competition until they are 14 or older.

They did an outstanding job identifying the different cuts of poultry, judging live animals, grading eggs, evaluating broken-out specimens, candling eggs and judging carcasses, Thien said.

She said they'd like to thank team coach and 4-H volunteer Wanda Simmons, who dedicates her time and talent to these and other youth enrolled in 4-H.

To find out more about joining a 4-H club in Nassau County or becoming a volunteer, call the Nassau County Extension Service at (904) 879-1019.

Story created Jul 20, 2007 - 17:12:32 PDT.

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