4-H Camp OverlookFirst graders from Malone’s three elementary school recently got to spend a day at 4-H Camp Overlook getting their hands dirty learning about everything from reptiles to plant life. As part of Cornell Cooperative Extension’s annual “Conservation Field Days,” students, teachers, and parents traveled around camp visiting educational stations led by a variety of presenters including officials from the New York State Forest Ranger service, Franklin County Soil and Water, Adirondack Wildlife, and Cooperative Extension. Also present was a contingent of highschoolers from Chateaugay Central School who had brought with them activities to engage the younger students in learning about nature.
Providing quality programming for more than forty years, Conservation Field Day, which is sponsored by the Franklin County CCE 4-H Youth Program and supported by Federal, state and private agencies and businesses serving youth and/or offering natural resources and conservation education and outreach has become an annual tradition. The event seeks to give students a hands-on approach to education with the goal of instilling in them at a young age the importance of environmental stewardship. Ranging in topics from forestry to agriculture to food found in the wild, the program provides area students the opportunity to physically experience many of the subjects they study in school while also allowing them the important experience of learning from individuals who have dedicated their life to protecting the North Country’s natural resources. At the wild edibles station, led by Extension educator Pat Banker, students get to feel, smell, and even eat a variety of plant life while also learning what is not safe to eat in the woods. For those more interested in the creeping and crawling, educators from Soil and Water and CCE offered lessons in aquatic wildlife while fans of larger critters were able to see and pet owls, snakes, cows, and even miniature ponies.
Like all 4-H-sponsored youth-focused events, Conservation Field Days are designed to provide kids and young adults with positive educational, physical, mental, social and emotional growth experiences, as well as opportunities in leadership and citizenship development. Conservation Field Day is just one of the many meaningful, exciting opportunities that are offered to this communities’ youth by the Franklin County CCE 4-H youth program throughout the year. If you attended the Field Days this year and have comments, are interested in attending or presenting during the event next year, or have any questions about the 4-H youth program in Franklin County, contact Steve McDonald at smm384@cornell.edu
For questions regarding rental of the 4-H Camp Overlook facility, the summer camp, or educational programs offered at the camp, please feel free to call the Cornell Cooperative Extension office 518-483-7403 or email Program Director Nate Campbell at nwc27@cornell.edu
My son and I attended the field trip today with the St.Josephs school,we had a great time,I(as a parent) found it very interesting,as well did my 6 year old son.Thank you very much for such a valuable resourse,right in our neighborhood.I look forward to returning in the future,thank you again.Rick and Logan Robideau.