“A recent study from Strada Education Foundation and Burning Glass Institute found that half of college graduates are ending up working in jobs that don’t use their degree, illustrating the critical importance of making well-informed decisions about what to study” (Forbes, 2024).  Therefore, early career exploration can significantly impact the career path and ultimately career success of an individual when identified earlier in life.  

In the spring of 2025, a total of 61individuals from Mammoth Cave Area 4-H participated in an immersive marine biology and environmental education program at Georgia 4-H’s Camp Jekyll facility.  The purpose of this exciting 5-day Camp Jekyll program was to engage youth in a career exploration program, which focuses on marine biology and exposes participants to other environmental and animal science careers outside of Kentucky.  

Through this educational camping experience, 46 youth, 10 adult chaperones and 5 supervising 4-H Agents had the opportunity to travel to a different state, explore a beach ecosystem, learn about marine species and strengthen their appreciation for protecting the environment.  

Youth engaged in Environmental Education through the following courses: 

•    Reptile Herpetology 

•    Shark Dissection 

•    Marine Animals Aquatics

•    Beach Ecology 

•    Maritime Forest 

•    Salt Marsh Ecology 

•    Saltwater Fishing 

•    Slough Study 

As a result of attending Camp Jekyll’s Environmental Education Camp, our evaluation results of the 46 youth indicated the following learning outcomes: 

•    92% said they felt more confident about working as part of a team.

•    83% said they gained more independence from the trip.

•    83% feel that 4-H is a place where they have the chance to be a leader

•    92% feel that 4-H is  a place where they get to figure things out for themselves and grown

•    100% said because of this trip they had a better understanding of ecosystems

•    92%  said they now have a deeper understanding of how to conserve natural resources

•    75%  will use the knowledge or skills learned on this trip to help protect the environment or natural resources