The Lowndes County 4-H Cloverleafs are going to camp at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center June 9-13. About 15 spots are still available through May 1, so those fifth- and sixth-graders interested should contact Melinda Miller, Lowndes County Extension agent for 4-H and youth, immediately at 333-5185.

Cost of the trip is $175 and includes all lodging, transportation, insurance, tours, activities and meals for the week except for lunch on the trip to and the trip back from Jekyll Island, said Miller, herself a County Extension agent for almost three years. Those planning to go should bring extra spending money for those two meals, which will both be in Waycross.

Four spots for adults are also available, and those wishing to become certified overnight chaperones can also contact Miller. One adult is required by the University of Georgia County Extension Office to attend per 10 children.

4-H’ers will be educated in marine and coastal ecology through activities at the camp, including canoeing in the marsh area and touring the maritime forest and marshlands.

“4-H prides itself on informal education,” Miller said. “4-H is one of the primary activities students remember as children. In addition to the educational component, there’s also the opportunity to meet other 4-H’ers in this state. This camp will provide students a lot of exposure, bonding and appreciating each other and differences.”

At the camp, Cloverleafs will take a trip to Summer Waves Water Park and a tour of St. Simons Island, which includes crab trapping, crab boils, a lighthouse tour and free time for shopping in the historic section of St. Simons Island, according to Miller.

The camp also offers campers a talent show and dances every night, as put on by the camp counselors. At these dances, the counselors will teach line dancing and play music for campers to dance to.

“The exposure to the camp counselors provides 4-H’ers the teaching role,” Miller said. “Since they’re college students, it teaches them the importance of getting a college education and how much fun it can be.”

The 4-H Center in Jekyll Island is a renovated hotel, so lodging arrangements are set up in hotel format. Six bunk beds are in each room. Boys are in one room, and girls are in another room with a bathroom that joins them, Miller said.

This camp marks the first time in several years the Lowndes County 4-H group has gone to camp in Jekyll Island. The group has gone to Rock Eagle 4-H Camp in Eatonton for the last few camp trips.