During the week of June 26-30, 2017, 33 Decatur County Cloverleaf 4-H’ers had an amazing, fun-filled camping experience at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, where they were members of the Shawnee tribe. Decatur County 4th, 5th and 6th grade campers were Abram Austinson, Graham Beckham, Pate Beckham, Coulter Birdsong, Zachary Burdick, Peyton Cloud, John Crews, Steele Faircloth, Eli Floyd, Mason Gardner, Cullen Glover, Charlie Harrell, Rachel Hayes, Nourah Holt, Carson Lynn, Dani Martin, Montana O’Berry, Allison Oliver, Riley Palmer, Katelynn Paterson, Ava Prouse, Logan Rich, Michael Rich, Sam Surratt, Imari Tomlin, Nicholas Tyre, Nicole Tyre, Shelby Vickers, Kinsey Ward, Brock Williams, Ella Williamson and Dax Willis. Teen leader, Corbin Austin also attended.

Besides meeting people from counties throughout Georgia, 4-H’ers practiced team-building activities, enjoyed new experiences and learned life skills as they strove to win the coveted Tribal Shield. Rock Eagle is the nation’s largest 4-H center and summer camp revolves around the Native American theme. The campers are divided into Cherokee, Shawnee and Muskogee tribes and hiking to the Rock Eagle Mound and watching the Rock Eagle Pageant are traditional segments of the camp week.

4-H’ers were divided into daily groups where they participated in various educational classes. Some 4-Her’s took Herpetology programs and learned about Georgia’s amphibians and reptiles. A few even held tortoises and non-venomous snakes. Others had Forestry and Wildlife which introduced the importance of Georgia’s timber, tree identification and conservation practices. In Lake Ecology, 4-H’ers used dip nets in the Rock Eagle Lake and healthy lifestyles were stressed in the HOP! Classes, where  4-H’ers made smoothies. Also, students challenged themselves climbing the rock wall, speeding through the air on the zip line and the high flying “swing shot”. Other activities included native lore, crafts, canoeing, archery, swimming, sailing and entomology.

Attending summer camp is just one of the many opportunities offered to Decatur County 4-H’ers. As one of the nation’s largest providers of residential environmental education, Georgia 4-H uses research based curriculum correlated to the Georgia Standards of Excellence to provide hands-on learning in real-world context. 4-H is provided by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. For more information, contact the Decatur County Extension Office at 229-248-3033.