WEST CHESTER, Pa. — The Penn State Extension 4-H Youth Development program based in Southeast Pennsylvania, including Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill counties, is now offering many of the traditional 4-H day camps in addition to self-guided activities using innovative techniques through virtual formats during a time of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The virtual day camps, include:
- PA Heritage Foods and Folk-Art Day Camp; being held July 6 – 9, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- From Farm to Fork 4-H Day Camp; being held July 13 – 16, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Computer Science: Think…Plan…Play! 4-H Day Camp; being held July 13 – 16, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Babysitting Basics 4-H Day Camp; being held July 13 – 16, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Take the Bait and Go Outdoors! 4-H Day Camp; being held July 20 – 23, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Pet Parade 4-H Day Camp; being held July 20 – July 23, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Science Fun in Your Kitchen 4-H Day Camp; being held July 27 – 30, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Plant Science: Growing with 4-H! Day Camp; being held July 27 – 30, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- What’s All the BUZZ About? 4-H Day Camp; being held August 3 – 6, from 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Each virtual day camp will require youth to have access to a computer, tablet, or smart device using ZOOM™ during the camp’s respective time noted above. The day camp will include educational direction from Penn State Extension 4-H Educators and staff during the camp times. Once registered, youth will receive a list of common household items needed for the camp, or communication that materials will be mailed to youth prior to the start of the camp.
The self-guided activities, include:
- 4-H Summer Sewing, recommended for beginner and intermediate sewers; being held July 6 – 10
- Cultured Curiosity 4-H Project; being held July 13 – 17
- Simple Machines: Engineering Design 4-H Project; being held July 20 – 24
- Cloverbud STEM 4-H Project, recommended for youth 5 years old and up with some assistance needed from an adult or teen; being held July 27 – 31
Each self-guided activity will require youth to have access to a computer, tablet, or smart device using ZOOMâ„¢ for two or three check-in sessions throughout the course of the respective dates listed above. The check-in session will include educational direction from Penn State Extension 4-H Educators and staff. Once registered, youth will receive a list of common household items needed for the activity, or communication that materials will be mailed to the youth prior to the start of the session.
Youth can register for as many of the virtual day camps and self-guided activities as desired. If there is a recommended age range for a specific camp or activity, that will be stated in the registration information provided by the local Penn State Extension office.
The virtual 4-H day camp series and self-guided activities are open to all youth, ages 8-18 years old as of January 1 of the current year, as well as youth already enrolled in the Pennsylvania 4-H program. The virtual camps are being offered free of charge for any youth currently enrolled in the Pennsylvania 4-H program, or there is a one-time $25 fee for youth not enrolled.
Pre-registration is required for all day camps and self-guided activity sessions. For more information or to register, please contact the Penn State Extension Chester County office by calling 610.696.3500 or by emailing ChesterExt@psu.edu.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than 6 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties throughout the commonwealth administer local 4-H programs through non-formal education and outreach. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/
–Logan D. Hall, Penn State Extension