By Paul Schattenberg
Five-day camp features different 4-H learning programs
Registration has begun for the Horizons Camp to be held June 30-July 4 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood for youth who have completed fourth through eighth grade by the end of May, said the center’s director.
The center is located at 5600 Farm-to-Market Road 3021 on the western side of Lake Brownwood. The 78-acre 4-H center is owned by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. It features nature trails and wildlife, and summer camps include youth activities such as kayaking, canoeing, swimming, a challenge course and dancing.
“The Horizons Camp is more than just camping; it is an opportunity for young people to grow and mature,” said Mark Carroll, 4-H youth development specialist and center director. “It is a summer youth camp featuring different 4-H project learning programs.”
Each participant will select from one of the programs offered. This year’s projects are:
—Woodworking Adventure — designed to teach youth the basic carpentry skills of planning, measuring, using carpentry tools and assembling wooden projects. Participants will construct a number of simple projects to hone their abilities in woodworking.
—The STEM/Robotics Adventure — includes remote-controlled and programmable robotics challenges, mini-drone construction and testing, forensic science activities, as well as building and launching an outdoor catapult.
—Vet Science Adventure — experiential learning opportunities for students interested in the Veterinary Science and the Veterinary Science Certification Program, or VSCP. Students will learn and practice clinical skills for both large and small animals under the supervision of the VSCP team. These are the same skills needed for senior 4-H competitions as well as their apprenticeship hours for the Veterinary Science Certificate program.
—Wildlife Adventure — outdoor experiences to raise awareness on conservation of natural resources and nurture an appreciation of wildlife and teach stewardship. It includes hands-on activities, kayaking, hiking and more.
“Horizons Camp will also include many of the fun activities youth have come to enjoy at the 4-H center, such as dancing, swimming and more,” Carroll said. “More than just camping, we strive to provide opportunities for young people to learn life skills.”
He said the camps also provide an excellent opportunity for youth to get exercise, make new friends and have fun.
For more information or to register, go to https://texas4hcenter.tamu.edu/. Registrants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the camp is filled.
“We are accredited by the American Camp Association, so families are assured of a quality program and facility that meets rigorous standards,” Carroll said. “Youths are housed, by gender, in air-conditioned dormitories, and each dorm has its own restroom and shower facilities.”
Programs are coordinated by AgriLife Extension professionals, and a nurse is on duty 24/7.
Counties are required to provide adult chaperones, and county groups — youths and adult leaders — will be housed together by gender. Registrants are requested to note any food allergies or special meal requests, such as gluten-free or vegetarian, on the registration form.
The cost for the camp covers all meals, lodging, refreshments, health-care services, facility and programming fees for the four-night, five-day event. For early registration through June 14, cost is $300 per youth and $160 per adult. For registration after June 14, the cost for both youths and adults increases by $50.
For more information on the camp, contact Cari Snider at 325-784-5482 or cari.snider@ag.tamu.edu or Carroll at 325-784-5483 or jmcarroll@ag.tamu.edu.
