Local youths experience day camp

Submitted Photo Bourbon County 4-H One Day Camp class instructor Doug Simpson, who is also a County-Wide Archery leader, and Tanner Howard teach campers Laryn Thompson, Caden Web and Cole Wagner the fine art of archery on Friday.

Members of the Bourbon County Junior Leaders program helped to educate a large group of area children on Friday.

From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday, more than 50 area youth participated in the annual Bourbon County 4-H One Day Camp at Gunn Park. According to K-State Research and Extension, Bourbon County agent Delta George, the camp was open for all area youth between the ages of 7 and 10. Camp participants rotated through six different 30 minute sessions that included both entertainment and educational activities.

According to George, the students were taught the proper procedures for shooting a bow and arrow from BB Co. County Wide Archery leader Doug Simpson. Each of the campers made several attempts to hit the bulls eye with their arrows while Simpson stood by to show them techniques that would help them reach the targets successfully. Campers were also taught about nutrition basics with the use of a Food Guide Pyramid. After the nutrition lesson, the area youth were allowed to make a healthy trail mix snack.

In addition, campers were able to complete two crafts while at the day camp. One of the crafts, a bird feeder, was made from a string of yarn, fruity cereal and a straw. The campers were also shown how to make picture frames out of popsicle sticks. Camp leaders took a photograph of each camper in order to send the picture frames home complete with photographs.

One Day Camp participants also spent time playing water games, bubble games and completing scavenger hunts.

According to George, the One Day Camp, which has been a yearly occurrence since the early 1970s, was planned and operated by the Bourbon County Junior Leaders program.

"The Bourbon County Jr. Leaders program is open to all 4Hers over the age of 13," George said. "Their purpose is to participate in community service activities; plan fun activities for the 4Hers of Bourbon County; and to provide leadership to their respective clubs. Other activities the club has done include serving breakfast during the town wide garage sale; collecting for Pennies for the Park; planning the 4-H Post-Fair swim party; having water games during the fair; and hosting a multi-county social evening. The group is lead by Ronda Bailey and Lou Howard.