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2025 4-H Trips Interest Letter

Dear 4-H’ers,

 It’s time to start planning for summer 4-H trips and camp! 4-H Camp takes place at Shakamak 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 Christie at (812) 462-3371 or jacobc@purdue.edu.

For a trip interest form click here!

 

4-H Camp at Shakamak

4-H Camp will take place from June 8-11, 2025 at Shakamak State Park.  We will be camping with 4-H’ers from Clay, Daviess, Owen, and Sullivan Counties. Daily activities will include boating, recreation, crafts, swimming, outdoor cooking, nature activities, and lots of silly songs and games!

  • 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! Camper registration will open in April on 4-H Online.

 

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 Christie 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 8 and picked up around 10 am on Wednesday, June 11. 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. During registration we’ll need to know any dietary restrictions, t-shirt size, and any bunk buddies your child requests.

 

  • We are looking for leaders in 8th-12th grade who are interested in being counselors and want to have four days of fun at 4-H Camp! Counselors lead activities and also have responsibilities to help our camp function smoothly.

 

To apply for a 4-H Camp Counselor position, fill out the application and return it to the Purdue Extension– Vigo County Office by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1. You can also email it back to jacobc@purdue.edu by the deadline. Applications will be sent out in early March.

 

If selected, you will be expected to attend three counselor training sessions in late April/early May.  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 by March 24 at 4:00 PM. Please make checks payable to Vigo County 4-H Council. The Vigo County 4-H Council is able to provide sponsorship for these trips. Funding will be dependent on the amount of interest, but priority will be given to 4-H attending a trip for the first time. 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 1st 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 11-13– Purdue University - $250 by May 1, late registration fees available.

  • NEW! Agriculture and Biological Engineering - Microbes are all around you – in the water you drink, on your cell phone, and floating through the air. While some of these are deadly pathogens, most of these microbes are harmless and can even be beneficial. Participants will learn to count, characterize, and control these microbes. Controlling microbes is vital for many fields, including biological engineering, pharmaceuticals, food safety, environmental sciences, and medicine.
  • Animal Science: Animal Health – Are you interested in a career in veterinary medicine? Come discover what it takes to work in the animal health field. Youth will have a hands-on learning experience that helps them learn more about the profession, and opportunities for careers in animal health. Topics included in the workshop include general health care, physiology, anatomy and careers. Youth will have the opportunity to work alongside Purdue Veterinarians and staff through various clinical activities.
  • NEW! Unlock the Future with Artificial Intelligence - Dive into the fascinating world of AI in this hands-on class. Learn how to build smart machines, explore ethical challenges, and discover how AI is transforming our world. You'll gain the skills to shape tomorrow. No prior coding experience required – just curiosity and a passion for innovation.
  • 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!
  • NEW! Creative Arts: Create Your Career – Explore career pathways within Creative Arts to work as a group to complete the design of a “new” state of the art, university dormitory that will be the highlight of student life. Groups will learn to design and shape the dormitory through interior/structural design, fine arts, digital/graphic arts, and landscape art. Participants will gain real-life expertise in these professions through hands-on learning opportunities that will guide them to “Create Your Career”.
  • Digital Agriculture - Explore how digital technologies and data sciences are being leveraged to make agriculture more efficient, productive, and sustainable. Learn more about the applications of robotics, sensors, and programming in agriculture through hands-on activities and tours. This workshop will also explore the variety of science, technology, and engineering disciplines that collaborate to develop digital ag solutions.
  • Food Science - Have you ever wondered how raw agricultural crops can be turned into a processed food product? Join the Department of Food Science to explore fermentation by making your own fermented food product and participate in a sensory evaluation of the food. You’ll even get to take home the final product! Participants will also explore food safety, chemistry, food processing, and more through exciting, hands-on activities. We can’t wait to see you there!
  • Intro to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - This workshop is focused on careers in the Emergency Medical Services field. This workshop provides participants with hands-on learning opportunities to practice 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 Sciences: Living Landscapes – Calling all plant whisperers and yard-design dreamers! Dig into this workshop, where science meets creativity and dirt turns into epic adventures. Unleash your inner green thumb with seed-sational experiments, floral arranging feats, friendly turf wars, and design challenges that will make your garden the envy of the block! Sign up today and watch your love for all things plants bloom!
  • $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!
  • 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.
  • Weather, Climate, and Disaster Readiness - Explore weather and climate science and disaster preparedness by analyzing weather patterns, creating disaster response plans, and learning how scientists track extreme weather events. Discover how emerging technologies are revolutionizing weather prediction and disaster response and recovery efforts. Build skills that could launch you into a rewarding career in meteorology or emergency management.

 

 

4-H Round-Up – Grades 7-9 – June 23-25– Purdue University - $250 by May 1, late registration fees available.

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 21-23 – Purdue University - $250 by May 1, late registration fees available.

Youth will improve their instrumental skills as they prepare for a concert band performance Monday evening during 4-H Round-Up. Any youth who has completed grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 may apply. 4-H membership is not required. Selection is made by State 4-H Band Director and Coordinator. 

 

4-H Chorus - Grades 9-12 - June 21-24 – Purdue University - $250 by May 1, late registration fees available.

Youth will improve their vocal and choreography skills as they prepare for a show choir performance Tuesday evening during 4-H Round-Up. Any youth who has completed grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 may apply. 4-H membership is not required. Selection is made by the State 4-H Chorus Director and Coordinator.​

National 4-H Congress– Grades 9-11 –November 28-December 2 –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 1st, please contact Christie for details. 

 

State Fair Exhibit Hall Workers – MUST be at least 14 years old at time of work–July 26-August 19– 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. *They will accept applications even if not able to work the entirety of the Indiana State Fair.

 

Indiana 4-H Ambassador Program – Grades 9-11 – Year Round Program – Due May 15 online

The Indiana 4-H Ambassador program was created empower teen 4-H leaders with the knowledge, skills, and aspirations necessary to be effective advocates for Indiana 4-H Youth Development. 4-H Ambassadors’ current leadership abilities will be strengthened and expanded so that they may serve as positive role models for younger youth; build meaningful partnerships with other 4-H teens, adults, and professionals, as well as community partners and sponsors; and promote the 4-H mission in Indiana.

 

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