4-H Summer Camp and Trip Information!

Even though summer may seem far off its time to start planning for summer 4-H trips and camp! 4-H Camp takes place at Shakmak State Park. In addition, Purdue University offers many educational and fun trips for 4-Hers during the summer. Each trip has different age requirements, so please pay attention to the details to make sure you are eligible! You must be enrolled in 4-H to sign up for a trip, there’s still time to enroll at https://v2.4honline.com/. More information is available at https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/get-involved/state-programs/index.html. If you have any questions about these trips, please contact Sara at (812) 462-3371 or shaag@purdue.edu.

4-H Camp at Shakamak

4-H Camp will take place from June 11-14, 2023 at Shakamak State Park. We will be camping with 4-H’ers from Sullivan, Owen, and Clay Counties. Daily activities will include boating, recreation, crafts, swimming, outdoor cooking, nature activities, and lots of silly songs and chants!

4-H Camp is open to all 4-H’ers currently in grades 3 through 6. You must be enrolled in Vigo County 4-H to attend 4-H Camp. If you have a non-4-H friend interested there is still time for them to enroll in 4-H!

The camp fee is $120 per camper and covers your lodging, meals, camp t-shirt, and activities. There is limited funding to assist those with a financial need, please contact Sara to learn more prior to registration. Additionally, you will need money during camp to cover craft items ($5 or less) and snacks at the pool concession stand. You will be responsible for your transportation to and from Shakamak State Park. Campers will need to be dropped off around 2 pm on Sunday, June 11 and picked up around 10 am on Wednesday, June 14. We have not finalized our camp schedule yet; the specific times will be sent to you in a letter along with important details a week prior to camp.

To sign up for 4-H Camp, you will register through 4-H Online under the events tab, instructions are available, click here. The registration deadline is May 5th. During registration we’ll need to know any dietary restrictions, t-shirt size, and any bunk buddies your child requests. If you have any issues registering, please contact the Extension Office at shaag@purdue.edu or call 812-462-3371.

The 4-H Camp Counselor application process for members in 8-12^th grade has closed. Selected counselors will attend two counselor training sessions. The sessions will take place on April 24 at the Owen County Fairgrounds and May 22 at the Vigo County Fairgrounds. Both trainings will be held from 5:30- 8:30 p.m. 4-H Counselors are asked to pay $30 to cover your t-shirt, meals at counselor training, and other camp expenses. The Extension Office will cover the remainder of your camp fee thanks to the Tractor Supply Company Clover Campaign as long as you properly complete training and counselor responsibilities at camp.

State 4-H Trips

If you would like to attend one of the listed trips and be eligible for funding, please return the Trip Interest Form and a $50 deposit to the Extension Office. To download the Trip Interest Form, click here! Please make checks payable to Vigo County 4-H Council. The Vigo County 4-H Council has provided funding for 10 trip sponsorships. Most trip registrations are due to the state by May 15^th, but turn in your paperwork early for a chance to receive sponsorship. Please note that you can go on multiple trips, but each 4-H member will only receive one trip scholarship. The 4-Her will be notified by the Extension Educator by April 1^st about the level of funding made available by 4-H Council. If selected for a 4-H Council Trip Scholarship, the $50 will be deposited in March and a $50 check to the 4-H family will be returned after successful completion of the trip.

4-H Academy @ Purdue – Grades 9-12 – June 7-9 – Purdue University - $200 March 15-May 15, late registration $250

Animal Science - Learn scientific principles of Animal Sciences, increase awareness of Animal Industry Issues and learn about career opportunities in animal agriculture.
- Animal Bio‐Science (DNA/genetics/laboratory work)
- Animal Health (veterinary medicine)
- Food Animal (beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry or rabbit)

Civic Engagement: Community Change Starts with Me! - This workshop will allow you to participate in a poverty simulation to learn about real issues faced by a person living in poverty. You will leave with an action plan that will allow you to make a positive change in your community, because community change starts with you!

Exploring Health Careers - This workshop provides participants with a chance to learn about various careers in the health field including nursing, speech pathology, medical laboratory science, and more. If you are interested in a career in the medical field but aren’t sure which career path to choose, this workshop is for you!
Food Science & Nutrition - Are you interested in food, science and being part of an exciting a rapidly expanding industry? You will have the opportunity to: learn about fermentation science, food safety, product development and more in the Food Science track. Learn about: human nutrition, bone density, careers in nutrition and dietetics and more in the Nutrition Science track.
Intro to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - This workshop provides experiences on the skills associated with careers as First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, and Fire Fighters. Students become CPR certified and learn through hands-on activities: scene size‐up, patient assessment, rescue techniques, scene preservation, radio procedures and tours of fire stations, emergency helicopters and Mobile Simulation Ambulances.
Natural Resources - Learn about fisheries, forestry and wildlife science through hands‐on activities like wildlife radio telemetry, darting, aquatic sampling, mist-netting and more. Topics may vary annually based on instructor availability. Participants will also learn about the many natural resources career opportunities.
Plant Science – Work with Purdue faculty to learn about plants, insects, bioenergy and natural resources. Participants will learn cutting edge aspects of Plant Sciences, experience a wide array of information on Plant Sciences, become acquainted with Plant Sciences-related departments at Purdue University and learn about the many career opportunities related to Plant Sciences.
$how Me the Money - Learn the essentials of financial management from the best financial professionals in the state. Experience Where Does Your Money Go® adventures at vendor locations in Lafayette. Come away with new tools to make your financial goals become a reality!
Computer Science - IoT, or the Internet of Things, is something we hear about all the time. Many of us even use it, but how do we code it? How do we decide how to use it in a house? Work with the Engineering track to design, build, and code a smart house. Explore a real smart house in Purdue’s College of Civil Engineering. Talk with Polytech students about their IoT experiences.
Engineering the Environment- Work together to perform a stream assessment at Todd's Creek to learn about the principles of ecosystem restoration engineering. Tour Purdue's Green Initiatives to explore how engineers work to create sustainable urban landscapes. This track will also provide opportunities to learn more about project and programs in Purdue's College of Engineering.
The Science of Flight - The Science of Flight Workshop will help youth learn more about Aerospace and the science and opportunities that surround it. During the workshop they will build model rockets and planes, take a ride in a small airplane and study aerodynamics to learn about the principles of flight as well as be exposed to career opportunities in aerospace.
NEW! Investigating Forensic Science: Wildlife, Entomology, and Food Fraud- The Food Fraud online module will help you learn about data, evidence, and scientific reasoning so you will be ready to work in the entomology and wildlife forensic labs on campus during 4-H Academy. In the Wildlife Forensics module, students will learn about the field of wildlife forensics including a brief introduction of the discipline and examples of different types of crime against wildlife. Hands-on activities will include labs on how to collect evidence (hairs, prints) and use it to solve crimes. In the Forensic Entomology workshop, students will learn about the application of insect evidence in criminal investigations. The workshop will have a mixture of lecture, hands-on insect collection, experimental design and data collection to discuss insect behavior and development, and the use of insect evidence in investigations. Please note that there will be online modules you will be asked to complete before the workshop, and more information will be sent out once you register. Also, this workshop is fully funded for participants!

4-H Round-Up – Grades 7-9 – June 26-28 – Purdue University - $180

Explore a variety of careers by attending classes created just for Round-Up attendees while getting a taste of college life and will live in a Purdue Residence Hall for two nights. Youth have an opportunity to meet others from across the state and further develop their leadership skills. Recreation events are planned in the evenings and blocks of free time allow attendees the opportunity to build friendships on their own.

4-H Band – Grades 9-12 - June 24-26 – Purdue University - $200

The 4-H youth band workshop is an immersive opportunity to learn about instrumental performance alongside new friends from across Indiana guided by Purdue’s Assistant Professor of Bands, Matthew Conaway. Participants perform to over 500 people during 4-H Youth Round-Up in June.

4-H Chorus - Grades 9-12 - June 24-26 – Purdue University - $200

The 4-H youth choral music workshop is an intensive, dynamic, challenging and fun-filled singing, dancing

and performance-oriented workshop. Youth will make new friends and work with some of the best music and performance teachers in Indiana! Participants perform to over 500 people during 4-H Youth Round-Up.

State 4-H Jr. Leader Conference – Grades 9-12 – June 13-16 – DePauw University - $200

Jr. Leader Conference is for 4-Hers who want to learn new leadership skills for themselves and others. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends from all around Indiana, and have a lot of fun while doing it! While there, you will participate in: Skill Sessions, State Park Group meetings, General Sessions, Skits/Talent Show, Recreation, Banquet and Dance, and Installation Ceremony for Jr. Leader Council.

Citizenship Washington Focus – Grades 9-12 –July 1-7 – Washington D.C. - $1600

Each delegate will take part in workshops on contemporary issues and topics such as international affairs, human relations, government, ecology and conservation, family life and dating, community development, drama and creative expression, economics, agricultural policy, leadership, and careers. The trip to Washington, D.C., will be made by Purdue charter bus. If you are interested in this trip you MUST contact the Extension Office (812) 462-3371 by March 15.

National 4-H Congress– Grades 9-11 –November 24-28 –Atlanta, Georgia- $600

National 4-H Congress is one of the premier experiences for 4-H members across the country. Youth will meet other 4-H members from across America, as they participate in educational workshops focusing on diversity, cultural experiences, leadership, team development, and of course having fun! *If you are interested in this trip, it requires a separate application due by May 1^st, please contact Sara for details.

State Fair Exhibit Hall Workers – MUST be at least 14 years old at time of work–July 24-August 22– Indiana State Fairgrounds – Applications are DUE April 1.

Assist with the set-up, judging, and supervision of thousands of projects in the Exhibit Hall, Centennial Hall, and the Agriculture Horticulture building. Applications can be found on the Indiana 4-H Website under opportunities and trips. These applications are due by April 1.

State Fair Exhibit Hall Workers – MUST be at least 14 years old at time of work–July 26-August 22– Indiana State Fairgrounds – Applications are DUE April 1.