Submitted by
John Lilly, Director
UF/IFAS Jefferson County Extension Service
Sixty campers between the ages of 10 and 15 from Jefferson and Leon counties attended the 4-H Wildlife and Recreation Day Camp on June 28-July 1, hosted by the Jefferson County UF/IFAS Extension Service. Twenty-four presenters, volunteers and staff were instrumental in organizing the camp. The assembly commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-H Pledge, led by teen volunteers, followed by the thought for the day.
Youth participated in various hands-on environmental educational activities. During the mornings, campers rotated through Forestry, Soil Conservation and Wildlife stations. After lunch, the campers participated in quiet-time activities and shooting sports disciplines.
The Forestry team consisted of Todd Schroeder, Derick Gargan and Clint Morgan. Campers gained hands-on experience participating in tree identification and use of forestry tools. In addition, the campers played a game that demonstrated resource scarcity. Campers learned what types of products come from trees. Finally, the campers had an opportunity to see the bulldozer make a fire line.
The Soil Conservation team consisted of Leon County 4-H Agent Allison Leo, Leon County Horticultural Program Assistant Rachel Mathes and Leon County 4-H Ag Agent Molly Jameson. Campers participated in hands-on activities in soil erosion and compaction, studying soil profiles and soil texture.
The Wildlife team consisted of Jefferson County 4-H Program Assistant Bryan Danford and Extension Volunteer Robin Will. Campers gained hands-on experience exploring outdoor habitats with wind meters, thermometers, nets, binoculars and identification sheets to discover what wildlife was found in the wetland and the forest. Instructors challenged them to be wildlife biologists and ecologists, looking for signs of healthy ecosystems on the Jefferson Extension Office site. The campers were very excited to see different birds, butterflies, scat of raccoons and coyotes as well as evidence of small minnows, frogs and snakes near water.
An Aquatic Day was held at Lake Lafayette Heritage Park in Leon County. The youth fished, kayaked, collected and identified aquatic insects and plants. In addition, Mr. David Moody of the U.S. Forest Service demonstrated how to fillet and cook fish.
On the last day of camp, there was competitive shooting in archery, shotgun skeet and air rifles. Campers also had an opportunity to learn about entomology from Danielle Sprague, Multi-County Commercial Horticulture Agent. In addition, campers were highly engaged in a talk with Florida Wildlife Officer Ben Johnson. Finally, the camp culminated with snow cones.
Special thanks to Gladys Neely and Lil Odom for volunteering the entire week. We would also like to recognize Pastor Kass Brooks and his wife for grilling hamburgers and hotdogs.
For more information about 4-H activities and other extension programs, please call (850) 342-0187 or come by the Jefferson County Extension Office, located at 2729 West Washington St. in Monticello.
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