4H Summer Camps
This year, Big Gumdrop Outdoors had the special opportunity to begin a partnership with Nebraska State 4H Camps. This was the gateway to BGO providing and learning more about overnight camps, and camps across our state. Throughout this partnership, we co-hosted a 5 day overnight camp in Chadron, NE and two day camps (one in Lincoln, one in Grand Island), all with the theme of Exploring Ecosystems. In all three camps, we worked with youth from all over Nebraska.
Overnight Camp
In June, we had almost 40 youth participate in overnight camp, with several on the waitlist, it was a hot commodity! We took over Camp Norwesca in Chadron, NE nearby Chadron State Park. In five different cabins, our counselors led their groups through so many exciting camp activities such as fishing, campfires, shelter building, ropes course, a trashion show, and much more. We created memories, learned new skills, made friends and connections, and had a blast.
Also a part of this camp, we received funding from the Abel Foundation to send 10 youth from the Malone Center that have participated in BGO afterschool programs, to the overnight camp free of cost. A huge thank you goes to Christian Clinton and the Malone Center for helping with the registration process, transporting the kids, and for helping run the camp. This was such a special opportunity that we are hopeful to provide once again. Thank you, Abel Foundation, for helping increase the access of not just outdoor access, but a very exciting overnight camp opportunity.
Day Camps
At Izaak Walton Park in Grand Island and Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln, we explored our local ecosystems! Our activities included examining aquatic habitats and wildlife, insect hunting, scavenger hunts, tent building, water filtering, fishing, and campfire cooking! These were fun-filled days, packed full with lots of hands-on experiences.
We look forward to continuing this partnership next year, and 2027 camp details will be published later this winter.
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