While brainstorming ideas for day camps during the summer, it hit me. I have this huge park in my county that would be a great place to hold a day camp. That park is not just any normal park though, it is Blue Licks State Report Park, also known as the home place to the Battle of Blue Licks (the last battle in the Revolutionary War). I had the location, now what to cover....well what does Blue Licks have a lot of? Trees, streams, rocks, insects, etc. NATURE! Now, I had the location and the topic, the last decision was the age group I was going to aim towards. It dawned on me that we were offering a Plant Camp for kids ages 9 and up this summer, so why not offer one for Cloverbuds! It would work out great...especially for the kids who did not get to go to the overnight Cloverbud Camp this summer. So I had it, we would do a Cloverbud Day Camp at Blue Licks State Park and would be focused on Nature. 

I then recruited one of my Cloverbud Leaders to help me out on this program. We tossed around a few ideas and decided that it would be best to have it 2 days from 8:30-3:30. We would pick the kids up at the school and transport them to the park. We partnered with the school in which they provided the kids breakfast and lunch both days of the day camp. I also asked Macy Fawns, the Horticulture Agent in Mason County to come over and do a bug presentation for one of the days.

The purpose of this day camp was to get the kids more aware of different aspects of nature while also having fun. We had a total of 15 kids participate in this day camp which was the number we had caped the program at. I had multiple parents say, "This is so great that you are offering this for the kids". Of the kids, there were 14 white and 1 biracial, 12 female and 3 male. 

On the first day, the kids made binoculars and went on a nature hike through the park. They were given a list of things they needed to spot while on their hike, such as: leaves, rocks, birds, seeds, flowers, etc. We stopped along the way and discussed the difference in trees and their leaves, how different plants had different seeds, and so much more! The kids were amazed! We even collected some leaves and rocks that would be used in some crafts later in the day. They were able to paint the rocks and then make booklets from leaf rubbings they made. We discussed the parts of the leaf and how to make the perfect rubbing - which could also be entered as a fair project when they reach 4-H age. They were able to play and learn songs during the break times and for our snack, we made dirt cups. I taught the kids about the different layers there are in soil and how an ecosystem works. While eating their dirt cups one said, "I never knew learning could be this much fun!"

On day two, Macy was first on the agenda to teach the kids some fun facts about bugs and even show them her bug collection. She talked to them about bees and how honey is made, about he hive and the different bees that make up the hive. They got to sample some honey, which was the first time for several of them. They got in groups and made insects from different items and then got to make a bug catcher! That was a huge hit the rest of the day. Once the bugs were all packed up and ready to go, the kids sat down to paint flower pots which would be used later on in the day to plant flowers and learn about how flowers operate and their different parts. We learned about the roots, leaves, stem, petals, and how all those have to work together for the flower to live. The kids also got to make seed bombs which they will plant at home so that their own flowers can grow. As one of the activities, we played Bug Bingo. They had to identify different bugs and learn about them as well. 

Even though it was in the 90's both days, the kids had a good time and learned a lot! Having a strong Cloverbud base will help grow the 4-H program in this county and teaching those kids about nature and natural resources while having fun will only encourage them to learn more in the future. Seeing the kids faces and the Facebook Posts parents post after this day camp was well worth it. One parents said this on a Facebook Post , "Dixie had a blast thanks for everything you all done". I can't wait to see what all they have learned and put forth in the future.