4-H summer travel opportunities

Thursday, April 25, 2024
Mark Evans

One of the most common remarks heard from current and former Putnam County 4-H’ers is how awesome their camp experiences were while in the 4-H program, or what a great experience it was to be on a college campus for science workshops. Most will make lifelong friends while participating in these experiences.

Also, one may participate in one of these events to complete one’s 4-H experience or continue to achieve more in the program. There is no requirement to exhibit or do other 4-H activities if one solely wants to participate in a camp or state workshop.

Youth interested in 4-H Camp must be in grades three through six as of Jan. 1. Camp occurs at Shakamak State Park. Departure is 11:30 a.m. Monday, June 3 with a return of 11 a.m. Thursday, June 6. Youth learn lifelong skills, have a great time swimming and make new friends.

The deadline for youth to enroll for camp is Wednesday, May 15, or as long as space is available. Registration must be submitted via 4honline https://Putnam4-HCamp2024.4honline.com to the Purdue Extension Putnam County office. Health forms must also be completed in 4honline and a medicine form (if meds needed) completed at departure. Camp registration will occur within the 4-H’er’s account in 4honline and payment can be mailed or dropped off at the Extension office and must be made by May 15.

Thanks to TSC Paper Clover funds that help to offset significant increases in costs, Camp will be $120 (a decrease of $10 from 2023) this year and include all meals, T-shirt, lodging, etc.

Numerous statewide 4-H summer events in 2024 are planned to occur. 4-H Academy, 4-H Round-Up, 4-H Band and 4-H Chorus will be in June. The fabulous career and workforce programs of 4-H Academy for grades 9-12 will be June 12-14, and the 4-H Round-Up for grades 7-9 will be June 24-26.

If a 4-H’er does not attend these two events at least once during a 4-H career, one is really missing out. In the 4-H Academy, the aviation participants fly a plane, and the first responder participants are very hands-on with local hospitals and emergency first responders, for example. Visit https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/state-programs/index.html for more details of all state trips.

And finally, for those who would like to work in the Indiana State Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall and have the opportunity of meeting other 4-H’ers from around the state, these are paid opportunities to work during late-July and August with the entry and display of 4-H projects at the Indiana State Fair. Contact the office if you are interested in this opportunity so we can get you the information.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension office at 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to ensure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs.

Upcoming Events

April 27 – Plant auction, Putnam County Fairgrounds, 9:15 a.m. preview, 10 a.m. auction start

May 1 – Forest measurement and inventory workshop, 6-8 p.m., DePauw Nature Park, register at https://tinyurl.com/PutForest24

May 7 – Primary election day, all county offices closed, including Extension

May 15 – All 4-H livestock must be enrolled in 4honline, firm deadline

May 15 – Registration deadline early for 4-H Round-Up and other state workshops

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