4-H Campers Explore Michigan’s Natural Resources
4-H Campers Explore Michigan’s Natural Resources
6/17/08
Contact: Michelle Lavra
517-432-1555, ext. 156
EAST LANSING, Mich. --Teens from around the state will participate in the 2008 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp, July 27-August 2 at Camp Chickagami near Presque Isle on the shores of Lake Huron. The camp provides hands-on experiences with Michigan’s diverse wildlife and natural resources, especially as they relate to the Great Lakes, for 70 young people ages 13 to 15. It is one of numerous 4-H Youth Development activities to build leadership skills and encourage career exploration.
“Campers will grow in awareness, appreciation and understanding of natural resources and management and will be able to explore career opportunities such as marine biology,” says Judy Ratkos, program leader for 4-H Youth Development with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension.
The ecology exploration sessions include:
** Going charter fishing to learn about native fish and other aquatic life.
** Exploring Michigan’s diverse woodland habitats and learning how to manage forest resources.
** Using GPS technology to explore coastal habitats along the Lake Huron shoreline and search for geo-cache sites.
** Studying water samples to learn about limnology, the freshwater version of marine biology.
In addition to hands-on learning, this MSU precollege program offers camp activities such as swimming, fishing, boating and evenings around a campfire. “Teens who have been to the camp in years past tell us that they enjoy a chance to be independent from their families in a safe, friendly environment,” Ratkos says. “The campers learn new skills and techniques they can use for the rest of their lives.”
4-H Youth Development is operated in Michigan through a partnership among county governments, MSU Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Michigan 4-H Foundation and its donors, Michigan Sea Grant and MSU Extension offset approximately 40 percent of the camp costs per camper. For more information about the camp, visit http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cfy/youth/glnrc.html. Enrollment in the camp is closed for 2008.
Application forms and scholarship opportunities for 2009 will be posted on the Web site by February 2009.
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