We have a wonderful resource in our own backyard in Goose Creek State Park. Each summer for the last 30 years, Beaufort County 4-H has partnered with the rangers at Goose Creek State Park to offer great “hands-on” environmental education day camps youth. This past summer, more than 75 campers and 14 youth and adult volunteers enjoyed three sessions of 4-H day camps at the park. Hats off to Ranger Nicole Crider, Ranger Candace Rose and seasonal staff Matt Reavers for their time in sharing interpretive programs during each camp session. The three camps were planned for specific audiences.

June marked the 31st year Louise Hinsley, Beaufort County 4-H agent, partnered with Goose Creek State Park to offer 4-H Camp Wannagoma an environmental educational day camp for youth in rising third, fourth and fifth grades. This summer, the campers learned about spiders, owls and how to make slime. This age camper joined that longstanding tradition of kayaking up Goose Creek. These rising third, fourth and fifth graders participated in a community service project during the camp by providing donations of puppy food for the Beaufort County animal shelter. The campers learned many things during the week, including about the important careers animal control officers and state park rangers. Campers made crafts, sang songs, made friends and hiked the boardwalk trail located near the Goose Creek State Park Environmental Education Center.

The second session of 4-H day camps was 4-H Critter Camp for youth in rising first and second grades. Ranger Candace Rose and Louise Hinsley teamed up to conduct the educational experiences for 4-H Critter Camp. These campers learned about science, technology, engineering and math as we studied spiders and owls, painted rocks for “Random Acts of Kindness” and learned about turtles. They enjoyed pulling a seine net and swimming in the Pamlico River at the swim beach at Goose Creek State Park.

The third camp was called “Camp-Gone Wild” at Goose Creek State Park, planned by Erin Massie, Extension 4-H agent, and Ranger Nicole Crider. This fun-filled day camp was designed specifically for the members of New Adventure’s 4-H Club. Massie said, “We have a beautiful state park in our backyard and awesome rangers who love to educate and work with youth and adults.” These campers enjoyed being outside in nature, learning about wildlife including snakes, exploring the wetland habitat, tie-dying t-shirts, swimming at the swim beach, making fruit kabobs and learning about dragonflies.

Registration for 4-H summer day camps takes shortly after Easter each year. For more information about 4-H in Beaufort County, please call 252-946-0111 and ask for Erin Massie or Louise Hinsley. The 4-H program is year-round and serves youth ages 5-19 years old.