High Adventure track campers take on the 50-foot tower where wall climbing
is a skill learned and practiced.
Youth discover their world through 4-H camp
Head west on the blacktop out of Luther, Iowa, and twist
down a few miles of gravel. It brings you to the sign that announces Iowa
State University Extension’s 4-H Educational and Natural Resource
Center. Kids who come here call it state 4-H camp and fun -- lots
of fun.
Lee Ryherd, Webster City, went to “Gone Fishin’” camp
last summer. Learning how to tie fishing knots and getting chances to
fish were only part of his camp experience.
“I was the only person at camp from Hamilton County, so I met all
new people,” Ryherd said. “I did a lot of things that I have
never done before, like the long night hike. It was a lot of fun.”
Brad Westrum, Stratford, went to Hunter Safety Camp last summer. And
like other groups that come to the center, his camp participated in many
of the center’s activities.
“Besides a week of hunter safety education, we got to do some rappelling,
archery, high rope challenges and swimming,” Westrum said. “Camp
is a great way to spend a week of your summer.”
Discover Your World is the theme of the 2002 camping season that has
five scheduled sessions, each one week long. Each session offers five
to seven tracks and campers select the track they want to follow during
their stay.
Erin Klein, Ames, working her third summer at the center as the aquatic
activities director, has responsibilities with the Water World track,
which includes swimming, canoeing, kayaking, river trips and creek walks.
“The track system we use allows us to offer specialized opportunities,”
Klein said. “Track leaders bring their own abilities and experiences
to their track. Campers can choose any track they will enjoy.”
Kari Entriken, Webster City, is a repeat camper at the center where she
has enjoyed the outdoors through biking, hiking and canoeing trips. She
will attend her second wilderness camp this summer when she explores the
Boundary Waters of Minnesota by canoe.
“Campers should choose a camp that interests them, go and have fun,”
Entriken said.
For a complete list of camps still available this summer, call the center at (515) 795-3338 or visit the center on the ISU Extension Web site.
In Water World, campers
learn
to canoe on the camp pond.
River canoe trips add to the excitement.
Contact Laura Sternweis, editor, lsternwe@iastate.edu.
Visit the ISU Extension homepage.
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Last update: June 2002