MONROE — While COVID-19 forced many summer events to be canceled, including the annual 4-H summer camp at Upham Woods in Wisconsin Dells, Green County 4-H got creative and came up with an alternative. 

Camp in a Box allowed youth from Green County and beyond to experience the fun of 4-H summer camp safely from their own home.

The response to Camp in a Box was positive, with 120 families and 235 youth between kindergarten and eighth grade signed up. Those registered included 4-H members and non-4-H members. As registrations came in, the Extension Green County staff planned and prepared activities that would be included.

A variety of activities were included, like STEM projects, arts and crafts and outside games. Some activities were prepared for individual youth, and some were meant for the entire family to enjoy together. Each box included over a dozen activities to challenge minds (like kitchen science experiments), stretch their imaginations (like the Bear and Bee game) and have some summer fun (like building a water sprinkler with a pool noodle).

Car loads of supplies were purchased and staff began designing cards for each activity. These cards included instructions, pictures, supply lists and “apply” and “share” sections which allowed youth to reflect on and share what they learned from the activity. In addition to the activities in the box, Green County 4-H is also offering online activities the evenings of Aug. 4, 5 and 6. There will be interactive games, campfire songs, star-gazing and a presentation about native bees.

Boxes were assembled, packed and distributed to registered families the week of July 27. Camp in a Box was a collaboration between staff at the Extension Green County and Extension Columbia County offices.

For more information on Green County 4-H, contact Ellen Andrews, 4-H youth development educator, at 608-328-9440 or ellen.andrews@wisc.edu.