NEWBERRY COUNTY — Summer is just around the corner, and parents can now sign their children up for 4-H Summer Programs.

4-H will offer a variety of camps, and other programs for youths to participate in this summer.

For a lot of these summer programs space is limited, so Alana West, Newberry County 4-H agent, recommends all parents sign their children up as soon as possible.

SC 4-H Summer Camp

There will be two South Carolina 4-H summer camps this summer. The first will take place at Camp Long in Aiken, June 11-15 (from 3 p.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Thursday). The second will take place at Camp Bob Cooper in Summerton, July 23-27 (from 3 p.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Thursday).

“The way we have set up these camps, it is a traditional summer camp Sunday through Thursday, but on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, at each camp, there is a different 4-H topic addressed each day,” West said. “Camp Long in Aiken, we will focus on leadership, science and healthy lifestyles those three days. At Camp Bob Cooper we will focus on agriculture, horses and natural resources.”

Both over night camps are for youths 7-14, and costs $275 for current 4-H members and $285 for non-members (the extra $10 makes the youth a member). There is a military discount for active military families. This scholarship is available from the South Carolina 4-H office.

“4-H agents are at these camps as chaperons and leading the activities. Last year and this year, I will be leading the natural resources, I do the natural resources activities. Talking about wildlife tracks and animal pelts,” West said. “A lot of time kids are not exposed to those sort of things, kids can see bear pelts, something they do not get to see in school.”

Space is limited to 100 spots per camp.

Wild at Webb

Wild at Webb will take place June 12-16 (Monday-Friday) at Webb Wildlife Center in Garnett. This is specifically a natural resources camp, and will focus on natural resources and shooting sports. This overnight camp is for youths 10-13, and costs $375 for current 4-H members and $385 for non-members.

West said this camp costs a little bit more, but the food better. Space is limited.

Kids in the Kitchen Cay Camp and Clovers in the Kitchen Day Camp

West will be offering two day camps at the Newberry Extension Office. Kids in the Kitchen Day Camp will be on Wednesday, June 21 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This day camp is for youths 10-14, and they will learn kitchen safety, measuring, labels, basic cooking skills, taste testing and more.

“I have a clubs, Clovers in the Kitchen, Kids in the Kitchen and Teens in the Kitchen, that meet once a month. A lot of my kids in the clubs meet for these, because our clubs do not meet during the summer, but this is how I draw interest and get those kids into those clubs, a one day opportunity,” West said.

This is one of West’s favorite camps, and during the camp the youths will make their own morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack.

Clovers in the Kitchen is on Tuesday, July 11 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and the topics will be the same as Kids in the Kitchen. Both camps are $10 for current 4-H members, and $20 for non-members.

Space is limited to 10 spots per camp.

Camp Wild

Camp Wild at Chester State Park is a camp that South Carolina 4-H has been doing for years. This is traditional tent camping, and West said if youths do not have a tent they can get one for them.

“We teach them how to pitch a tent, we go swimming, and do a lot of traditional type stuff, like S’mores,” West said. “We end this one with Wild-athalon, that involves things they learned thorough out the camp.”

Camp Wild is June 27-28 (Tuesday and Wednesday) and will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday until 8 p.m. Wednesday at Chester State Park. This camp is for youths from 8-14 and costs $60 for current 4-H members and $70 for non-members.

Space is limited to 25 spots.

4-H2O: Exploring Lake Murray and Dreher Island State Park

This camp Aug 1-3 (Tuesday-Wednesday) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day at Shelter Three on White Oak Lane in Dreher Island State Park. This is a multi county camp, Newberry and Lexington. Youths between the ages of 10-14 will learn about water safety, conservation and ecology.

This camp is $65 for 4-H members and $75 for non-members and space is limited to 25 spots.

Summer Ag Series

Every Thursday throughout June and July West will offer a different agricultural topic. The first of the series will begin on June 8, and the last on July 27.

This series will cover topics such as poultry, beef, dairy, forestry, swine, bees and agritourism. There will be two field tours (transportation will not be provided, adults welcome to join). The first field tour will go to Lever Farms, Carolina Pride Pasture and Enoree River Winery, the second will go to Black Grove Beef Farm, Dairy.

The camp series will begin at 1 p.m. every Thursday and end at 5 p.m. at the Clemson Extension Office. This is for youths 9-18.

“Each day we will make a snack with that product, based on that industry, we will do a lesson, there will be some type of team work, possibly some type of service project,” West said. “We will do all those things every day, maybe a video of watching people do what they do in that industry.”

The cost for this series is $60 for 4-H members and $70 for non members. It should be noted that classes cannot be paid for on a class by class basis, and you must pay the full price, even if you only come to two classes.

West said for this series, the more the merrier.

Additional information

Parents can come by the Clemson Extension Office, 1860 Wilson Road, Newberry, to sign their children up for all the 4-H Summer Programs. The office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.

When it comes to refunds, membership dues are prorated and are non-refundable. If you cancel a camp spot more than two weeks before the start date, a full refund may be given. If you cancel with less than two weeks and more than one week before the start date, you may receive a 50 percent refund. No refunds will be given within one week from the start date.

West can be contacted at 803-276-1091 extension 11.

Youths preparing to go rock climbing.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_20160613_144014037.jpgYouths preparing to go rock climbing. Courtesy photos

Morning flag raising ceremony.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_20160613_074145239.jpgMorning flag raising ceremony. Courtesy photos

Canoeing at Camp Long.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_20160613_102102935.jpgCanoeing at Camp Long. Courtesy photos

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.