Georgia County Government - February 2009 - (Page 20)

EXTENSION continued from page 19 to a cost-benefit analysis, the Georgia 4-H camping program most certainly would rank near the top with regard to overall value for the dollar. Georgia 4-H campers participate in the most comprehensive and critically acclaimed 4-H camping experience in the United States. Almost 6,000 will spend a week at the largest residential 4-H center in the world: Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Putnam County. Several thousand others will enjoy a week at Wahsega 4-H Center in the north Georgia mountains of Lumpkin County, or on the coast at either the Burton 4-H Center at Tybee Island in Chatham County, or the Jekyll 4-H Center in Glynn County, or maybe even the newest Georgia 4-H facility, Fortson 4-H Center in Henry County. Washington County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tommy Walker has great memories of his 4-H camping experiences. “My summer experiences as a camper at Rock Eagle were wonderful! We had swimming, the nature trail, softball and crafts. I can only imagine how special it must be for 4-H kids today with so much more to enjoy.” (Since Commissioner Walker’s days as a camper, Rock Eagle has added many educational and recreational facilities, including the Lake and Wildlife Ecology labs, a massive new swimming pool, a new putt-putt course, a new 1,200-seat dining hall, ropes courses, a climbing wall and new ball fields, among other new amenities and facilities.) Regarding his tenure as a 4-H Camp Counselor, Commissioner Walker reflects: “During college, I spent three great summers at ‘The Rock’ [Rock Eagle 4-H Center]. My last two years as a Muscogee chief taught me so much about leadership. Mr. Cecil Johnson, our camp director, gave us all many lessons that have carried over to decisions I make today as chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners and as president of Walker Tire.” For many of the young people who choose to participate in a week of 4-H camp, it is likely the first significant out-of-county experience they have had a chance to enjoy. For campers, a week of adventure and learning begins the moment they arrive. Campers have the opportunity to meet new friends, be a 20 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT A trip to the Atlanta Motor Speedway is often the highlight for campers at Fortson 4-H Center. member of a team, and develop leadership potential as they experience all that camp has to offer. Campers are housed in cottages, and a special bond is built among the campers and the cottage leader. In the cottages, campers awake each morning to picturesque views of Georgia at one of the five 4-H centers, and the day of adventure begins. Campers perform a quick cabin clean-up before heading off to the day’s activities. Responsibility is instilled during those activities through goal-oriented teamwork, workshop attendance and timeliness. Teamwork is developed as campers work together throughout the week to make their best, better. Together they attend workshops such as canoeing, wildlife, forestry, swimming or herpetology (or in camper lingo – the “snakes class”). Campers then participate in organized recreation. Trained recreation counselors lead small groups of campers in games of softball, parachute games, indoor games, water games and various other activities. These activities encourage campers to take on leadership roles as they lead the team to a victory in the softball game or the relay race. Throughout all the opportunities in which they are engaged, campers are able to meet other 4-H members from across the state. There are many documented stories of friendships sparked between former campers years ago, which are still strong and viable today based on the strength of the bonds forged years ago. Regardless of which of Georgia’s five 4-H centers a young person has as a destination, each 4-H member will return home after five days and four nights with a lifetime of memories to accompany new life skills, new friendships and new talents. All of this development takes place under the watchful eye of the nation’s most well-trained and most committed 4-H camp counselors. Jerry Griffin, executive director of Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), was both a 4-H camper as an elementary school student and a 4-H camp counselor for four years. Today, Griffin still sees the value of the 4-H camping experience. “My experience as a 4-H Counselor at Rock Eagle provided a very unique experience for an 18-year-old to learn leadership skills by practicing them with large groups of campers each week. While we didn’t recognize it at the time, we were also learning a great deal about management – a place where many of us have landed in life. We were hired because of basic skills and personality traits; we were trained to enhance our skill set; and then, we were given the freedom to do our job and grow. We made mistakes, but we were guided through them and encouraged to keep our eye on the goal – a goal that could not be met by any one individual, but only through a team effort. “Our mentors were not only the camp director, the camp committee, and the camp staff, but every County Extension Agent with whom we worked. This happened 47 years ago, but until this day the lessons we learned there as counselors, still remain.” February is 4-H Camp Promotion Month In most counties across Georgia, February is the month during which 4-H agents and County Extension program assistants are committed to promoting the summer camping experience. Flyers are distributed, videos are shown and games are played – all in the name of generating a “buzz” about going to 4-H camp.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - February 2009

Georgia County Government - February 2009 Contents President’s Message County Matters ACCG Training Programs: A Foundation for Excellence in County Government ACCG Welcomes Newly Elected Commissioners Georgia’s Trauma System: The Emergency Management System Component Demographics Program Addresses County Planning Extension News: 4-H Camping Program Benefits Georgia Youth Research Corner: Promote Economic Development in Your Rural County County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - February 2009

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