Page 61 - Robeson Living Summer 2022

camp store, a t-shirt, transportation to and from camp, accom-
modations, supplies, and all meals. It will be the most fun they
have ever had and it will help them grow as a person.

If you would like more information on this opportunity, please
contact a member of our 4-H staff at (910) 671-3276 or you
can email me at [email protected]. Go ahead
and make this summer one they will never forget.

For more information, contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension
4-H Youth Development Agent with North Carolina Coopera-
tive Extension, Robeson County Center, at (910) 671-3276, or
by E-mail at [email protected].

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are col-
lectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportu-
years I have had the privilege of taking Robeson County youth nity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of
to camp, and yes, we have at one time or another been to all the age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity,
camps. They all have great programs, staffs, and attributes, but genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, re-
I think we go to Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center because it reminds ligion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and vet-
me the most of the camp I went to as a child. At this camp eran status. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agricul-
there is a great ratio of campers to counselors. Cabins are A- ture, and local governments cooperating.
frame structures that have four bunk beds (it’s not camp if you
don’t get to sleep in a bunk bed) on each side with bathrooms ABOUT N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
in the middle (indoor plumbing is important). Campers get to N.C. Cooperative Extension is a strategic partnership of NC
go swimming, canoeing, rock wall climbing, horseback riding, State Extension, The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C.
there is a ropes course, arts and crafts, and evening activities A&T State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
are a blast. Kids might leave a little trepidatious but when they National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), and
come home, they are tired, a little more confident, responsible, local governments statewide. Extension professionals in all
and ready to go back again. 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
connect millions of North Carolinians with research-based in-
The 4-H program was created to help youth become empow- formation and technology from NC State and N.C. A&T. Edu-
ered to persue their passions. Camp helps them learn about in- cational programs specialize in agriculture, food and nutrition,
dependence, resilience, and challenges them to move outside 4-H youth development, community development, and the en-
their comfort zone in a safe and nurturing environment where vironment.
they can start looking at long-term goals. Camp is fun, it is
challenging, it is life changing, and it is amazing. Going to
camp makes a difference for youth.

If you are worried about being campsick for the week they are
gone, I have that covered. We have a 4-H blog. Each night I
post our day’s activities, and hundreds of photos of our camp-
ers. You can sit in the comfort of your home and feel like you
are here. See your child making friends, having fun, and hav-
ing an experience to last them a lifetime. It is a gift that will
allow them to start practicing independence, they will have a
chance to do new things, and after they catch up on their sleep
when they get home, they will thank you for letting them do
something so amazing they won’t forget it.

If you are interested in sending your child to camp this summer,
Robeson County 4-H will be taking youth to Betsy-Jeff Penn
4-H Center July 24-29. To register and pay for this opportunity
you can go to our Eventbrite registration page (by scanning the
QR code below). A week of camp is $450 and includes their

Robeson Living ~ Summer 2022