We kicked off the month of June with one of my favorite events: the annual Natural Resource Camp. Twenty-eight youth and four adult volunteers spent two beautiful nights under the stars, learning and exploring the great outdoors. Campers participated in hands-on activities focused on entomology, first aid, teamwork, archery and leadership development. It was wonderful to watch youth build confidence, make new friends and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world around them.
The following week, we hosted our Adventure Day Camp, where 20 youths spent each day at the La Plata County Fairgrounds learning about a variety of 4-H project areas. Some of the highlights included building STEM cars, creating leathercraft projects, exploring their artistic talents and decorating cakes. Each day was filled with creativity, problem-solving and, of course, plenty of fun.
We wrapped up the week with our Cloverbud Day Camp. Cloverbuds are the youngest 4-H members, between the ages of 5 to 7 years old. I am always impressed by this group. Their excitement, curiosity and willingness to try new things make every activity a fun adventure. This year, campers had a great time building propeller cars, decorating cakes and participating in hands-on learning activities designed just for them. Their enthusiasm is truly contagious and warms my heart.
June also included our Saturday Night Lights Gymkhana, where 4-H members and their horses competed in a variety of speed events. Gymkhanas are always exciting events and showcase the strong partnership between horse and rider. Riding a horse takes skill and dedication, but adding speed and precise patterns brings an entirely new level of difficulty. It is always impressive to watch our members demonstrate the trust, communication and teamwork they have developed with their horses.
The rest of month promises to be just as exciting. Several of our members will be attending the Colorado 4-H State Conference on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins. During the conference, youths will participate in leadership workshops, explore career pathways, meet other 4-H members from across the state and experience everything CSU has to offer.
We are also looking forward to our annual Rumble in the Rockies Jackpot. This event brings together youths from across the Four Corners region to show their goats, sheep and swine. It provides a valuable opportunity for participants to learn from one another, showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming La Plata County Fair.
Adding to the excitement, four La Plata County 4-H members will join 21 other Colorado 4-H youths on an educational agriculture tour of Europe. The group will travel to Amsterdam and Brussels, where they will learn about international agriculture culture, and history while representing Colorado 4-H abroad. This incredible experience will allow them to broaden their perspectives and gain a greater understanding of agriculture on a global scale.
As summer continues, we encourage everyone to mark their calendars for the La Plata County Fair, taking place August 1 to 9. We look forward to celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our 4-H members and sharing all that they have learned throughout the year. The fair schedule and fair book are available at www.laplatacountyfair.com.
I hope to see you there!
Angela Fountain is the La Plata County 4-H youths development agent. She can be reached at afountain@lpcgov.org.
