Eight middle schoolers from Franklin County were chosen to represent their community at the 4-H Environmental Education Camp on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The trip took place over spring break, and the students were excited to travel to the beach to experience the 4-H Center with a Marine Biology twist.

During their time at the camp, the students participated in various beach ecology courses, seining classes, and night hike/astronomy workshops. They learned about the ecosystem and the importance of protecting it. The seining classes allowed them to observe and catch various marine creatures and learn about their habitats. They also learned about constellations and were thrilled to witness a meteorite in the sky. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget!

The program was designed to help the students develop their leadership, citizenship, and communication skills. By participating in dynamic workshops, they were able to master new skills and exert their independence in a group-living situation. The students had the opportunity to belong to a group and make new friends from different parts of Kentucky.

Some of the highlights of the trip included a Dock Study workshop where students catch shrimp and other marine life. During this workshop, three dolphins came out of the water to meet some of the 4-Hers, also an experience that they will remember for a lifetime! They were amazed by the diversity of marine life and how everything in the ecosystem was interconnected. The beach ecology courses taught them about the importance of preserving the beach and its inhabitants, and they left with a newfound appreciation for the environment and the beauty and uniqueness of the Georgia Bite.

Overall, the 4-H environmental education camp on Jekyll Island, Georgia was a huge success. The eight middle schoolers from Franklin County and around 70 middle schoolers from Kentucky's central region had a fantastic time learning, making new friends, and experiencing new things. They returned home with newfound knowledge and skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors.