by REAGAN RICHARDS, UF/IFAS Highlands County
Sounds of laughter, new friendships, and chatter about the day filled the halls of the Highlands County Extension Office this summer. After four weeks of summer camps, Operation Summer Fun was officially a success.
Cloverbud Camp I (June 2-6) & Cloverbud Camp II (July 28- August 1) welcomed campers with an art project each day and the opportunity to learn through play and practice independence.
During the Places To Go Camp (July 23-27), campers set out on a field trip to different Florida locations. They traveled to the MOSI Science Museum, Ringling Circus Museum, Bok Towers Gardens, Camp Cloverleaf, and the Showcase of Citrus.
Campers learned about what makes South Central Florida so unique.
County Line Camp (July 7-11) provided a unique partnership between Highlands County 4-H and Okeechobee 4-H. Each day featured different Florida-themed activities that taught campers about Florida heritage and history through culinary lessons and guest speakers from the Seminole Tribe, Cowboy Will Butler of Butler Oak Dairy, and UF geomatics Extension specialist, Katie Britt.
“Each camp was uniquely different, bringing its own set of energy and lessons from the campers. It was rewarding to watch the campers who were the quietest in the room become the most outgoing,” said Reagan Richards, Highlands County Extension Office Communications Intern and camp counselor
Summer camps provide a special opportunity to foster meaningful relationships, explore shared interests, and learn outside of the classroom. Many of the Highlands County 4-H campers have attended camps for several years in a row. A true testimony to the lasting impact of camp.
Follow Highlands County 4-H and UF/IFAS Extension Highlands County on Facebook to stay informed on the upcoming schedule of events.