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A group of Mercer County 4-H teen leaders from the Clever Clovers 4-H Club and the Rutgers 4-H STEM Ambassadors attended Winter 4-H Camp, January 30 – February 1. The weekend adventure was held at the L.G. Cook 4-H Youth Center for Outdoor Education in Stokes State Forest. The recent snowstorm was perfect timing for our weekend adventure, transforming 4-H camp into a winter wonderland! 4-H members took advantage of the fresh snow to enjoy snow tubing and to try snowshoeing for the first time.
In addition to enjoying the snow and campfire, members were also treated to an educational hike and to an evening program about birds of prey. Kevin Mitchell, former 4-H agent in Sussex County, led our members on a hike around the lake, pointing out several interesting aspects of the trees and wildlife found in Stokes. The 4-Hers became more in tune to their surroundings and started to understand the extent to which the forest’s plants and animals are all connected.
Later that evening, Giselle Smisko of the Avian Wildlife Center introduced our teens to their organization’s efforts to conserve native birds. Giselle brought along a screech owl, great horned owl, and red-tailed hawk (a favorite part of camp for many) and discussed the wildlife center’s efforts to rehabilitate countless raptors through the years.
Another educational and fun aspect of the weekend centered around nutrition and food preparation. Each county group was responsible for preparing one of the meals for the 70 youth and adult participants. Not only did the teens learn a lot, but it was also great to see them work together so well to produce such wonderful shared meals.
In addition to winter 4-H camps, the same facility hosts several weeks of summer 4-H camp for youth throughout the state. Visit their website to learn more and to register for this summer!
