The Hidden Valley 4-H Camp is structuring its Cloverbuds day camp to provide rich opportunities and activities that will focus on developing these skills. For example, Cloverbuds will engage in hands on science activities, swim lessons, hikes on the camp property, arts and crafts and field sports. While experiencing and gaining knowledge in these activities, they will also develop their own sense of belonging, community and self-understanding.
Finally, a day camp program that connects children to nature has several benefits. According to Condie Ward of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) “children’s social, emotional and physical health depends on exposure to nature to develop.” Providing an
outdoor environment for young children to explore allows them to develop “a sense of beauty and calmness” as well as to “learn about being gentle and respectful to living things.” Hidden
Valley 4-H Camp provides hands on activities such as gardening and a stream safari as well as nature walks that enhance children’s understanding and appreciation for living things.
Young children are able to gain so much knowledge through a 4-H Day Camp experience. Camp broadens a child’s sense of belonging and community as they develop new friends. Camp provides rich programming in the 4-H model of Positive Youth Development so that campers develop social, decision making and learning skills through hands-on activities with the guidance of enthusiastic adult counselors. Finally, connecting to nature develops respect and appreciation for all living things in youth. The Hidden Valley 4-H Camp Cloverbuds day camp is committed to focused programming, activities and qualified staff for its young campers to provide an excellent experience.