Success StoryEnvironmental Day Camps in effort to recover from Pandemic.



Environmental Day Camps in effort to recover from Pandemic.

Author: Kimberly Lane

Planning Unit: Morgan County CES

Major Program: Natural Resources

Plan of Work: 7. Community and 4-H Leadership Development

Outcome: Initial Outcome


Morgan County 4-H Council has partnered with the Family Resource Center Directors, and four Elementary school staff for the past eleven years to provide an educational environmental overnight camping program for all 4th graders in Morgan County. This partnership was developed to provide hands on applicable learning experiences for all 4th graders.  However, the 2021 planning was a little different since the 2020 overnight camp was non-existing.  After several planning meetings the decision to conduct an environmental day camp came to life.  This was done at the same local youth camping facility we had used in the past. The idea of doing both 4th and 5th grades this year came about to catch both grades. The Day Camp is based on environmental science and natural resources. 4-H Teen Club members provide group activities and either instruct a class or offer assistance to an instructor. When this program began, it was solely a 4-H Program and now it has become a school program with 4-H providing assistance. This year we conducted two day camps just so we could have enough space for all the youth. The first one was 117 youth, 14 adults/teachers, and 23 teens. The second one was 115 youth, 12 adults/teachers, and 21 teens. From personal interviews: 1. Teachers cited their students needed this more than ever after a year of social distancing. 2. Teens gained public speaking skills, self-esteem, greater respect for the work of teachers, and apply leadership skills 3. 90% of the 4th and 5th grades cited learning ways that science applies to their surroundings and reasons for studying the environment 4. Teachers also stated that the unity of their class was so strong after attending the event. They were more team oriented than before.  5. 75% of the students experienced a first time while on the overnight, whether it be, hiking in the forest, touch an owl pellet, studying animal tracks or cooking.






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