4-H Challenge Camp is a regional event that is geared toward teen-agers learning the concepts of working together as a team with emphasis on communication skills. The event is held in Pollock, Louisiana on our 80-acre campsite at the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center. This unique campsite features beautiful tree-covered grounds, a large outdoor recreation area, air conditioned/heated cabins, bath facilities, a modern kitchen with a spacious dining hall, new classrooms, and outdoor pavilions.
During the spring, each parish has the opportunity to allow approximately 20 members in the 7th or 8th grades to experience the two nights, three days camping experience. Members can only attend once either their seventh grade year or eight grade year. The scheduled regions rotate throughout the spring of each year. The goals of 4-H Challenge Camp are to challenge 12 and 13 year old young people to set high personal goals as a result of activities designed to develop:
4-H Challenge Camp consists of a weekend full of activities to increase self-confidence and self-reliance in young people. 4-H youth will actively participate in:
What 4-H Parents Should Know?
4-H Challenge Camp is one of the most valuable experiences a young person can have. It’s a learning experience that allows boys and girls to appreciate the outdoors, to live together as a group, to get along with others, and to appreciate people with different interests and backgrounds.
The activities at 4-H Challenge Camp encourage youth to create team spirit, build self-reliance skills, improve leadership skills, communication skills, and problem-solving skills, and enhance their self-esteem while developing new friendships.
The campers are provided three meals and snacks each day. Snacks include bottled water, soft drinks, fruit and crackers. The campers will not need money while at camp.
4-H Agents, volunteer leaders and teen counselors from each parish attend and stay in the cabins with the campers. The LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service has implemented a background screening process and training process for all volunteers that will be chaperoning youth while at 4-H Challenge Camp.
Cost
To help make is possible for every 4-H boy and girl to go to camp at least one time, Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center operates on a non-profit basis; cost are as low as possible. The annual cost for a weekend at Challenge Camp is approximately $50.00.
Individual camp fees must be paid by parish agents, so these fees are collected through the informational packet sent out in early February. Camp T-shirts are available for each camp at no additional charge. This information will be provided in the informational packet.
Summary
Don’t pass up this opportunity to meet new people and “Make the Best Better” our 4-H motto. Make every effort to be as active as possible in the 4-H program in order to be part of our “Happy Camping Team”. Be watching for your 4-H Challenge Camp Letter and Application in late January or early February to be completed and returned to our office by early February.
For the specific due date refer to your February and March Lafayette 4-H Hotline. If you have questions, please contact the 4-H Agents: Angie Arnould, Nikki Mouch or Charles Hebert.
More information will be mailed directly to all 7th and 8th graders in January.