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Bryan 4-H'ers go to races during camp
4H2
Some 4-H'ers mug for the camera while at the speedway. - photo by Photo provided.
June 14-18 was an exciting week for 46 Bryan County 4-H’ers.
The week was spent at Fortson 4-H Center near the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Jackson, Ga., where th 4-H’ers participated as crew members and vied for the coveted “cup” awarded at the end of the week.
The cup is awarded based on participation, attitude, neatness, behavior and completion of assignments.
The schedule kept them very busy. Daily activities included the rock wall, zip-line, herpetology classes, lake ecology classes, archery, and “Health Rocks!” classes.
Daily swim time and a dance were held each evening of camp, as well as a scavenger hunt to earn points for the crews. One night was movie night, and campers carried the pillows and sleeping bags to relax on the cafeteria floor to watch Wall-E, emphasizing the responsibility of recycling.
A trip to White Waters, the Six Flags waterpark, was an awesome, wet experience. The week of camp was the hottest week thus far for the year, so the 4-H’ers were eager to take a plunge in the Rolling River or slide down all of the waterslides.
Another afternoon was spent at Stone Mountain. Thunder and lightning almost ruined the laser-light show, but the camp counselors found safe shelter for the crews and waited for the storm to pass.
All 4-H’ers agreed the show was well worth the wait. Many were amazed with the production and said they wanted to bring their families back for this another time.
The last night of camp was spent at Atlanta Motor Speedway for Thursday Night Thunder. The campers participated in games, contests, giveaways and hot on-track racing excitement.
They were even given an opportunity to go on the track and meet some of the racers. Campers were shocked to learn that many of the racers were their age.
The racers were driving Legends Cars, five-eighths-scale replicas of classic coupes and sedans of the ‘30s that were modified into the fordable racing machines of NASCAR’s grassroots history.
But don’t let their size fool you – these are serious race cars powered by 1,200cc, four-cylinder Yamaha engines delivering 122 horsepower – more than enough to give you some major league racing thrills. This is a great family event not too far from home.
Friday morning’s departure was bittersweet – some were anxious to get back home, others did not wanting to leave. This group of Bryan County 4-H’ers will definitely treasure the memories made during their week at Fortson 4-H Center.
Campers included: Megan Addington, Joe Alba, Althea Awe, Madison Blanton, Amber Burns, Kali Cannon, Daniel Chambers, Laine Christian, Jacob Conner, Cody Croft, Jordan “Bugz” Davidson, Madison Doney, P.J. Fisher, Kaylyn Fulton, Bailey Gillespie, Nicholas Hahn, Kerri Hardy, Jade Harris, Victoria Hatchett, Sarah Haymans, Katherine Kocher, Nicholas Landry, Dylan Long, Bobbi Mehlhorn, Jena Murph, Kayla Myrick, Cecilia Newsome, Keira Peterman, David Porter, Wyatt Roundtree, Logan Scott, Dalton Sims, Allyssa Smith, Dustyn Stewart, Alyssa Talley, Zachary Turner, Avery Waters, Vanessa Wilson and Nathan Woods.
Teen leaders were Colin Scott, Jeremy Shuman and Lindsey Stewart.
Special thanks to Phillip Scott for volunteering as the male adult chaperone.
Shanna Davis, 4-H agent, and Becky Stewart, program assistant, would like to thank all of the campers for “making us proud,” the teen-leaders for doing such a great job, Mrs. Barbara for “holding the fort down” and Bryan County Family Connections for its donation to help with partial scholarships for three campers.
For more information about attending 4-H camp next year, listen for information regarding the 4-H meetings coming to your school.
Activities are offered throughout the year, so don’t miss a single one.
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