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Grant Parish 4-H’er Ralyn Smith looks at a tree cookie and counts the rings to determine the age of the tree. Photos by Randy LaBauve
The Camp Grant Walker Youth Academy is a premier Louisiana 4-H program intended to provide quality field trips, off-season educational and recreational programming, and other highly engaging, educational products. With items such as the Camp-in-a-Box series, the Camp Grant Walker Youth Academy can deliver the magic of 4-H summer camp, even in the off season.
Each themed Camp-in-a-Box kit contains an activity booklet and the materials needed for youth to engage in five or more hands-on activities directly from the comfort of home. Each activity guide also includes several electronic resources in order for participating youth to reflect on their experiences with others who have received the same kit. Camp-in-a-Box makes a great gift, a fun addition to a homeschool program or a cornerstone to a 4-H club meeting.
During the winter of 2020, the first Camp-in-a-Box was unveiled. It featured arts and crafts lessons and materials designed for youth in first through fourth grade. This kit was designed during the pandemic to allow youth to participate in 4-H summer camp lessons during the stay-at-home government mandates. The goal was to provide continued opportunities for youth to be involved in 4-H camp in a reduced capacity. The arts and crafts kit proved to be successful with the materials and activities related to natural art and lessons suitable for any child seeking an introduction to basic art concepts and mediums. Some lessons include leaf etchings, paint sets, sculpting clay and other materials to encourage youth to explore their natural surroundings and inspire them to create unique artwork.
The second Camp-in-a-Box kit had a forestry and environmental science theme and was released in August 2023. Each kit has a complete forestry guide with five detailed lesson plans for fourth through sixth grade youth. Lessons include American Explorers, Tree Power, Paper Production Plant, Wildlife Warriors, Junior Foresters, Birdwatching Guide, and additional extension activities and programs.
This kit is ideal for specialty projects clubs, developing an event or program focused on environmental education or forestry, or homeschool-based 4-H’ers. It is a positive way to introduce students to the wonders of our natural environment through hands-on activities exploring the natural resources and the vital role of our forests and their inhabitants. Youth will be guided through activities, including constructing a birdhouse and cataloging their local natural spaces. They will be encouraged to learn more about their local forests and the professionals caring for them.
To help promote and market the boxes, youth from Natchitoches and Grant parishes’ 4-H clubs participated in filming commercials highlighting each box and its contents, while also showcasing youth enjoying and engaging in the lessons.
The kits in the Camp-in-a-Box series can be purchased at the National 4-H Online Store at www.shop4-h.org and Camp-in-a-Box Options (www.LSUAgCenter.com). There is also a discount for bulk orders of 10 or more, which are great for club meetings, special classroom projects and more.
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Eli Clark, left, and Catherine Spurgeon use a tape measure to measure the circumference of a tree.
Learn more about our program and camp offerings at www.LSUAgCenter.com/grantwalker or contact 4-H Program Coordinator Adam O’Malley at CampGrantWalker@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-765-7209
Grant 4-H’er Addisyn Futrell reads a Camp-in-a-Box to preview the activities.
4-H’ers from left, Mylee Powell, Ralyn Smith, Brody Craig and Kinley Smith open their Camp-in-a-Box kits.
Brody Craig, center, holds an insect he caught while other 4-H’ers, from left, Ralyn Smith, Addisyn Futrell, Eli Clark, Catherine Spurgeon and Mylee Powell, look on.
