4-H Camp is one of the most anticipated events by youth across the state. They come together with their fellow youth in the county and head off by bus to embark on a week of life skill development. From making new friends to learning new skills in classes, Sally time and reflection to Mega Relay; all activities through 4-H Camp provide participants with skills that will carry with them through life. Prior to the Covid-19 shutdown in March, Grayson County had 55 campers registered for camp 2020.

But what is an agent to do when a pandemic strikes and that event is stripped away from youth in the county? Begin working on the best virtual camp experience that can be provided! Planning began with how to highlight key moments from a normal camp week and turned into a daily agenda of activities. The agent contacted the teens that would have been teen leaders for the week and involved them on the planning process and asking them to come up with class ideas that they could teach virtually to the participants. The four day virtual camp has been laid out to look like the week the campers would have had beginning on Monday with head checks and meeting their leaders. 

The leaders provided the agent with the class information and list of supplies, the agent provided a virtual camp box to each camper participant that included that information and any item for the class that they may not have at home. Class times were set to be the same each day with two virtual classes led by the leaders through Zoom, except for Monday, where a class took place of class sign ups. Also included in each box for the campers are snacks for each evening, a quarantine camp shirt, a “Certified Quarantine Camper” sticker, a journal book, and a schedule of the week.

The agent reached out to the campers and families with the opportunity to take part in the virtual experience through a closed Facebook Group. They had to request to join the group, provide the campers name and if the family was planning to participate. The agent wanted to encourage the parents and siblings of the campers to take part in the virtual event for three primary reasons. One, so the parents could help enhance the experience, two, so siblings are excited to sign up for camp when they are old enough, and three, so the family members can have a fun experience together through 4-H Camp. Twenty-four campers that were registered for camp, eight parents, and four younger siblings opted to join in the virtual experience, including 10 leaders and agent.

In the week leading up to virtual camp, the agent posted questions and polls through the closed group to hype up the excitement, having the campers reflect on their favorite parts of camp. The Friday before, agent and staff member traveled 95 miles throughout the county to deliver the camp boxes and family bags to the participants. The campers were excited to get their boxes and to see what activities were in store for their week!

Activities for the week even include a “Polar Bear Swim”, with cold water being poured on the campers and leaders, after the Live posting of the agent “polar bear swimming”. Classes each day, posting lunch, silly songs, free rec activities during the afternoon, and evening activities- hike or walk on the first night, Capture the Flag the second night and Mega Relay the third night. Participants are encouraged to have Sally time, enjoy their evening snacks and learn the words to “Linger”. The schedule pamphlet provided in the camp boxes includes some of the favorite camp songs, camp dances, instructions for Capture the Flag, and activities that can be family friendly for Mega Relay. On the last day, everyone with a camp shirt is asked to take a photo in their shirt to post for a compiled group camp photo to be made. The final activity was to let the agent know how they liked their virtual camp experience.

After following up with the campers when the virtual camp experience was over, all enjoyed the activities and were glad to have had the opportunity to participate. Top virtual classes included “Around the Farm with CJ” and “Bubble Lamp in a Bag”. 100% said the schedule was easy to follow and with the items provided in their camp box, they had the items at home to be able to participate during the live class. The agent recorded the live classes on Zoom, and posted the recording, several went back to watch again or watch because they had to miss the live class. Additional comments included that they would have enjoyed even more Zoom calls and more snacks included in their boxes, as well as many thanks for creating the experience.