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OSU Extension

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES
April 20, 2015 - 8:42am -- young.1414@osu.edu

Our kids are all back in school from spring break now and farmers are getting ready to plant their 2015 crops.  The major league baseball season is here and that means our kids will soon be out of school for the summer.  Some parents might have made plans for their kids already for the summer.  But for parents in general looking for a great summer activity that has a long and rich history, look no further than 4-H summer camp to keep your kids engaged in experimental learning activities that will allow their minds to absorb more information, have fun and make their summer one they won’t soon forget.

Many educators and parents are concerned about the amount of knowledge that kids lose during the summer.  Numerous studies show there is good cause for educators and parents to be concerned about students during summer break.  Research studies prove that students can lose up to the equivalent of 2.6 months of what has been learned during the school year.  By keeping our kids brains active, alert and acquiring knowledge, camp offers the chance to stem summer learning loss.

At camp, your kids will also:

  •   Spend their day being physically active – Our kids spend so much time these days inside and mostly sitting down on the couch.  Camp provides them with the opportunity to go swimming, hiking, running and enjoying the great outdoors.
  •   Experience success and become more confident – Camps will help our kids to build self-confidence and self-esteem by removing the kind of academic, athletic and social competition that shapes their lives at school.  With numerous non-competitive activities and diverse opportunities to succeed, camp life will provide your kids with a real positive boost.
  •   Gain resiliency – All kids are encouraged and nurtured by camp counselors to try new things.  Many kids just simply need someone to encourage them to try new things.  Bottom line is that the kids will learn something new while also conquering their fears.
  •   Unplug from technology – At camp kids will put their creative energy to work more because they will be away from television, cell phones, and the internet.  The kids will have the chance to really connect with real people, real activities, real emotions and the great outdoors.
  •   Develop life-long skills – Camp will provide every kid with the right instruction, equipment and facilities for them to enhance their creative skills, sports abilities, their talents, and their adventure skills.  The wide range of activities offered at camp, makes it easy for kids to discover and develop what they like to do.  The camp experience will surely expand every kid’s abilities.
  •   Grow more independent – Camp is also the perfect place for kids to practice making decisions for themselves without their parents or teachers guiding every move.  Managing their daily choices in the safe, caring environment of camp, your kids will blossom in new directions.  

By now I hope that I have convinced you to sign your kids up for summer 4-H camp.  The 2015 4-H camp takes place June 9 – 12, 2015 at Camp Graham, Clarksville, Ohio.  The theme this year is “Spy Top Secret.”  This is for kids ages 8 – 13.  The camp is for 4-H members and non 4-H members.  The cost is $150 for 4-H members and $155 for non 4-H members.  The cost is only $140 for 4-H members that pay by the early registration deadline of May 11, 2015.  If you would like to go on the canoe trip, which is optional, there is an additional $15 fee.  At camp your kids will experience relay races, water games, camp fires, themed dinners, costume night, and numerous recreation activities.  The deadline to submit registration and payment to the OSU Extension (1802 Princeton Road, Ste. #400., Hamilton, OH) is June 1, 2015. 

The leadership at Camp Graham is provided by Butler County 4-H members who are current 4-H members and have attended camp as youth.  The camp counselors have successfully completed an application, interview, countless hours of training and creating a week of fun activities.  When you pick your child up from camp on Friday June 12, 2015 they will have some great experiences to share with you on the ride home.

For more information please contact Kevin Harris, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, and The Ohio State University Extension by phone at 513-785-6650 or by email at harris.2184@osu.edu

For up-to-date program information, check us out on the web at:  butler.osu.edu.

News Release provided by Kevin Harris.