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Davie County 4-H offered 14 4-H Summer Fun Camps this past summer.

Despite restrictions from COVID-19, 57 youth from across Davie and neighboring counties attended the camps. For many, it was their first 4-H experience and they are now engaging in other 4-H activities, clubs, and programs.

“It was a very successful summer despite restrictions on the number of participants we could have due to COVID-19,” said Danny Lough, Davie County 4-H Extension agent. “We sent out a survey to our parents after all summer camp programs were finished and got very positive feedback on their child’s camp experience.”

The 4-H Summer Fun camps covered a broad range of topics but all had a common goal; to teach youth life skills through hands-on learning. Returning camps included Basic Firearm Safety and Skills, Junior Master Gardeners, Junior Cooking, and Farm to Table Camps. Several new camps included a Horse Camp, Computer Coding Camp, Photography workshop, and a Reptile and Amphibian Camp.

“We’re constantly adapting our program to meet the needs and interests of youth in our community,” said Lough. “When parents register their children in our 4-H Summer Fun camps, they know that not only are their kids going to have a fun and safe experience, but they are also going to learn skills that they can apply later on in life.”

Earlier this year, COVID-19 had prevented Davie 4-H from being able to host the annual golf tournament and other fundraisers that fund their 4-H Summer Fun program and offer scholarships for youth to attend.

“Thanks to several local businesses, organizations, and private donors, we were able to raise enough funds to host all these exciting and educational programs,” Lough said. “Three at-risk youth received full scholarships to attend the Summer Fun Camps and had many firsts including their first time catching a fish, first time riding a horse, and first time shooting a shotgun.

“We could not have done these programs and reached so many youth in our community without our sponsors, volunteers, and community partners. A 4-H program is really built around the community so to have so many wonderful organizations and people step-up to help our youth, really was incredible. We really appreciate our Davie County community.”

4-H Summer Fun sponsors included: The Mebane Foundation, United Way of Davie County, Farm Bureau of Davie County, TAOKsm, Mocksville Auto Pride Car Wash, Fuller Architecture, Trailers of the East Coast, Fuller Welding and Fabricators, Meg Brown Home Furnishings, and Barnette Heating and A/C.

Community Partners included  Davie County Recreation and Parks, Davie County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, Cognition Davie, Vulcan Materials, Cherry Hill Farm, Tom Cowden Youth Shooting Sports, Silver S Ranch, Herbal Accents/Mrs. Laura’s Rolls, Davie Community Foundation, Kristin Boone Photography, and Davie County Public Library.