Youth participate in Central State University Extension summer camps

Central State University 1890 Land-Grant Programs conducted numerous summer 4-H and other camps throughout Ohio. The camps provided enrichment opportunities to equip the young campers with life skills and workforce readiness.

STEM-Ag (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Math) campers planted 85 tomato plants with their instructor Terry Grace and staff. Join Central State University Extension during Homecoming 2024 to sample our featured "Garden to Shelf" product exclusively made from these tomatoes.

Summer 2024 Discovery Day Camp

Summer 2024 Discovery Day Camp hosted by Central State University Extension welcomed 30 third, fourth, and fifth graders to a week of hands-on learning in STEM-Ag. 

Through innovative activities and project-based learning, the campers navigated and explored life under the sea. Each day featured experiences that allowed their minds to delve into unlimited possibilities about sea life and how our current climate changes are affected by the daily decisions we make that will affect our environment in the future. 

The camp took place from July 8-12 at the Trotwood Community and Cultural Arts Center in Trotwood, Ohio.

Next Generation in Ag Residential Camp

In June 2024, 30 rising ninth, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders had the exciting opportunity to participate in the Next Generation in Ag Residential Camp at Central State University. From June 16-28, students immersed themselves in activities, experiments, research, and projects alongside the University’s Land-Grant research staff. They explored current areas of agricultural research and learned about Ag-related careers.

Dakota Center Camp

Donna Kuykendall, southwest educator for Central State University’s Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), hosted engaging "Food, Fun, and Fitness" sessions at the Dakota Center Camp in Dayton, Ohio. 

Central State University's EFNEP aims to empower youth with practical knowledge about healthy eating and physical activity.

The weekly sessions, attended by 10 students in kindergarten through fifth grade, featured hands-on experiences, such as preparing trail mix. 

Kuykendall emphasized criteria for the mix: it should taste good, look appealing, be healthy, and be easy to hold during sale activities. Students experimented with ingredients like Cheerios, dried fruits, Goldfish, and pumpkin seeds. The camp also included games and physical activities to promote overall wellness. 

Ag-STEM Institute Residential Camp

The Ag-STEM Institute Residential Camp, hosted by Central State University Extension, provided an immersive experience for 30 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. During Week 1 (June 16-21) and Week 2 (June 23-28), the campers engaged in activities related to STEM-Ag on the Central State University campus. During the closing ceremony, students engaged in poster presentations and were awarded certificates of completion with a video recap of their camp experiences.