[Image: Challenge Camp]4-H'ers Blast into Challenge Camp
On March 6-8th, a group of Jeff Davis 4-H youth along with 218 others 4-H youth, counselors, adult volunteers and agents wrapped up an eventful weekend at the 2009 4-H Challenge Camp at Camp Grant Walker located in Pollock, LA during the first weekend of April.
Challenge Camp is designed for seventh grade students with activities that include an array of different challenges that develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills. The camp also provides older youth, the councilors, an opportunity to practice their leadership skills as they work with younger campers. Another challenge youth experience at camp is the diverse background, experiences and cultures from the number of parishes that attend.
“From the first night when these campers get off the bus, we start challenging them by mixing them into their team groups with other campers they have not met,” explains Silas Cecil, 4-H Youth Development Agent. “With many of these challenges, youth have to utilize teamwork and communication skills within their team to complete these tasks successfully.”
One component of the first activities is a scavenger hunt for items to construct a cardboard boat. Teams must complete the timed challenges to earn box cutters, duct tape, cardboard, markers and boat paddles. The second day of activities includes indoor and outdoor challenges that continue to test the youth. All the challenges lead up to the finale of the camp, a cardboard boat race. Two members from a team board the finish boat for a timed race across the camp’s swimming pool.
For more information on 4H and other youth development program activities, or if you are interested in serving as a volunteer or overnight chaperone contact your local Cooperative Extension Service at (337) 824-1773. It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the ground of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability.