Summer Adventures Help Coweta 4-H Youth Grow, Explore, and Learn
For many young people, summer is a time to relax. For 300 Coweta County 4-H members, it was a season of discovery, adventure, and unforgettable experiences.
From searching for fossils and earning Junior Ranger badges to exploring Georgia’s coast and rafting down the Ocoee River, Coweta County 4-H offered summer camp opportunities for youth of all ages. Each camp helped young people build confidence, make new friends, and experience the outdoors through hands-on learning and adventure.
The summer began with Adventure Day Camp, where 32 fourth and fifth graders explored the fascinating world of “All Things -Ology.” Campers learned about paleontology, herpetology, meteorology, gemology, and other scientific fields through interactive activities before wrapping up the week with a visit to the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, where they earned Junior Ranger badges.
Eleven seventh and eighth graders traveled to Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island for Marine Exploration Camp. There, they explored beaches and salt marshes, searched for shells and shark teeth, handled native wildlife, dissected sharks, and cruised Georgia’s coastal waterways while learning about the unique ecosystems that make the state’s coastline so special.
The largest adventure of the summer came at Cloverleaf Camp on Jekyll Island, where 220 fourth through sixth graders enjoyed a week packed with outdoor fun. Campers explored the beach and marsh, rode bikes through the island, paddled canoes, visited Summer Waves Water Park, and discovered marine life through hands-on activities.
“I loved going to the beach and the marsh. They were my favorite things at camp,” fifth grader Alex said. “I found so many hermit crabs and fiddler crabs!”
Other campers pushed themselves during Wilderness Challenge Camp at Wahsega 4-H Center. Twenty-two sixth and seventh graders learned outdoor survival skills, tackled high-adventure challenges like the climbing wall and zip line, and finished the week whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee.
“My favorite thing about camp was going whitewater rafting,” said Gwyn, a seventh grader. “I didn’t even fall out, but I did get to jump out. It was my first time ever whitewater rafting. I loved it!”
Twelve High school students also enjoyed memorable experiences at Senior Camps on Jekyll Island and Wahsega 4-H Center, where they built independence, strengthened friendships, and experienced many of Georgia 4-H’s signature outdoor adventures.
“I loved going to the Summer Waves Water Park,” said ninth grader Camille. “There were so many slides! It was the best!”
While every camp offered different activities, they all shared the same purpose: helping young people discover new interests, gain confidence, and create memories that last a lifetime. Whether learning about science, exploring Georgia’s natural resources, or stepping outside their comfort zones, Coweta County 4-H campers returned home with new skills, new friendships, and stories they will be telling for years to come.
As one summer ends, Coweta County 4-H is already looking forward to next year’s camping season and another opportunity to help local youth grow through adventure.
For more information about 4-H camps, contact the Coweta County Extension office at 770-254-2620 or [email protected].
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
