4-H camp registration still open

Weekly column by Kathryn Scates, program coordinator for 4-H youth and development, serving Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Pope, Saline and White counties

Don't miss out. 4-H camp registration is still open! Southern Illinois 4-H camp registration forms are available at the office. These camps offer hands-on classes and activities. Previous years have offered swimming, crafts, cooking, ropes courses, horseback riding, fishing, Gaga ball and more! You don't have to be a member of 4-H to attend. Camp is located at the DuBois Center in DuBois. The first session will be June 18-21 with the second session June 21-24.

These camps are great opportunities for local youth to explore new activities and make new friends from the area. Participants stay in cabins with friends and chaperones from the area. Staff members, assisted by teen leaders, will guide youth through daily camp activities. Please note that each camp session is limited to 58 campers, ages 8-16, per session. Registration forms are available at the Extension office and at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/bcjmw/downloads/68241.pdf.

For high school-aged kids, registration for the Illini Summer Academies are open for one more week. This is a great chance for your teen to explore potential college majors and career areas while getting a feel for what campus life might be like. Participants stay in the newer living quarters on campus, Bousefield Hall<strong>. </strong>They receive hands-on instruction from University of Illinois faculty and staff as well as organized down time. The conference is open to youth who have completed eighth grade by the conference and will be at least 14 by Sept. 1. Dates this year are Sunday, June 25, through Thursday, June 29.

The following academies have openings remaining: Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Illinois Informatics Institute: Design Thinking with Digital Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping, Entomology: Honeybees and Beekeeping, Veterinary Medicine, Ag Communications, Exploring Human Development and Family Studies, Grand Challenges in Family Science, and Anthropolgy.

For more information on each academy or to register, please visit https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/programs/college-career/illini-summer-academies. The cost of the conference varies depending on which academy of study you choose. Payment is requested at the time of registration via credit card. Payments made by check must be received within one week of registration or the registration will be canceled. Registration closes May 15. Financial-need scholarships will be available from Illinois 4-H Foundation donors. No refunds are permitted after May 1.

Forms and additional information are available at Gallatin County Extension office, located in the Farm Bureau Building in Ridgway. If you know a youth who might be interested in camp, or you would like to know more about how you can volunteer your skills and time toward the enrichment of youth in Gallatin County, please contact Kassy Scates at kscates@illinois.edu or 618-272-3022.

University of Illinois Extension is committed to a policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, religious creed, ancestry or national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or physical/mental disability. If you need a reasonable accommodation, such as a special dietary or disability accommodation, to participate in any of our programs, please contact the U. of I. Extension office at 618-272-3022

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Upcoming events </span>

5/15 Horse ownership papers due

5/15 Illini Summer Academy registrations due

5/20 Day Out with the St. Louis Cardinals

6/18-21 Southern Illinois 4-H camp (session 1)

6/21-24 Southern Illinois 4-H camp (session 2)

6/25-29 Illini Summer Academies