This past month, Lincoln County 4-H hosted our 2023 Discovery Day Camp, running from June 5th through June 9th. We’d like to thank our guest speakers, local community businesses, and parents/guardians of our 4-Hers for making this a fun, safe, and successful camp for the eleven youth who attended! Pictures below!
On Monday, the youth toured Murray’s Mill and its nature trail, learning about grain-making and NC wildlife. With Ladybug Farms and Bakery – led by Corrine Brandhorst – the youth applied this knowledge to make loaves of bread themselves. It was very yummy; some even used the bread for their lunch sandwiches the next day!
Tuesday was our textiles day. In the morning, our youth made their very own drawstring bags, complete with a 4-H clover patch! This workshop, teaching hand- and machine-sewing skills, was led by Joni Prew, founder of sewing businesses Squirrel’s Nest and Recycled Memories. In the afternoon, we visited Hickory Throwing Company and Sunnyside Textiles. These companies let our youth have a behind-the-scenes look at American industrial yarn and sock manufacturing, from design to the final quality check. At the end of the tours, we were each given a t-shirt made from recycled clothing, as well as a pair of colorful socks!
Here was the question of the day on Wednesday: Where does our food come from? Our 4-Hers visited Gales Farm and Beam Dairy Farm to find out. At Gales Farm, the youth handpicked their own fruits and vegetables, from tomatoes to kale. (Some of our youth made their lunches with the produce they picked!) Gales Farm also gave our youth herb seedlings so they could try their own hand at gardening. Working with the Lincoln County Beekeepers’ Association, Jackie Anthony discussed beekeeping with our 4-Hers who then had a safe peek at a real hive and a taste of honey. We then wrapped up the day visiting Beam Dairy Farm who gave us a behind-the-scenes tour to show the youth where beef and milk comes from, complete with pettable newborn calves! We then took the day's educational activities and made a sweet treat of homemade ice cream.
On Thursday, Misti Walker of Just B/C Pottery led our youth in a pottery workshop. With three stations, the youth got to try their hand at a pottery wheel, hand build “creatures,” and decorate their very own trays – the latter being glazed and fired for them to take home! Continuing with the prior day’s gardening, the youth made their own herb gardens, where they could grow mint, parsley, basils, and more donated by Jennifer Levee. We finished the day with a field trip to Hawk and Sparrow Flower Farm, where we were led on a tour of their flower fields. Our 4-Hers also got to pick blueberries, which they took home along with flower arrangements they made!
On Friday, we took our 4-Hers to Bo’s Family Entertainment, where they had fun with their newfound camp friends. From putt-putt to pizza to bowling to arcade games, the day flew by. As our day ended we concluded our 4-H Discovery Camp visiting the 1915 Cherry Pop’s Soda Shop, an ice cream parlor which brought our 4-Hers back in time. The youth learned the importance of a budget and ate sundaes while playing tabletop games, savoring those precious last hours of camp!
