Spring 2006 - Rock Eagle 4

Spring/Summer 2006
Camp, it’s not just for kids
anymore…
Rock Eagle Increases Security
with New Guard House
Get R.E.A.L.
Join
Rock Eagle’s Adult
Learning experience!
June 24—Trees Made
Easy!
July 15—Canoe Rock
Eagle Lake
Also Come to Family
Fun Days!
June 12—My
Feathered Friends
July 10—Canoe
Rock Eagle Lake
August 12—
Compasses: The Old
Fashioned Way
Call Kelly Scott at
706/484-2834 to sign up!
A simple change has a major impact on security at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Today visitors are greeted with iron gates
and security arms as they pass through the new Guard
House at Rock Eagle. Twenty four hour staffing ensures
that no one enters or leaves the property without proper
processing. Visitors are required to display a Rock Eagle
Parking Hang Tag on their vehicle for the duration of their
stay. Employees at Rock Eagle display a similar tag allowing security to recognize approved vehicles on the center.
Improved security is everywhere these days and Rock Eagle
4-H Center is working to make your stay as safe as possible.
“With over 100,000 young people on our centers in a years
time, we felt it was imperative that we offer the best security
possible. We want parents and visitors to feel safe here at
Rock Eagle”, says Arch Smith, Associate State 4-H Leader
and manager of all five 4-H Centers in Georgia.
The old guard house will remain in place according to Terri
Camp, Rock Eagle Area Coordinator, as a symbol of times
past and will be used by conference groups on the center as
they process their own check in or as a welcome station during events.
www.rockeagle4h.org
Page 2
4-H Centers Across Georgia
Ready for Summer Camp
Georgia 4-H summer camps provide an
outdoor summer program unparalleled in
the nation. Over 9,000 children ages 919 annually descend on five separate
4-H camps for a week of experiences
that will be reflected upon for years to
come. Every camp is a world unto its
own, with a theme full of high adventure,
friendship and fun. Fortson 4-H Center,
Jekyll Island 4-H Center, Burton 4-H
Center on Tybee Island, Wahsega 4-H
Center and Rock Eagle 4-H Center each
open their doors to campers looking for
an exciting summer experience.
Enthusiastic and well-trained camp
counselors, County Extension Agents
and certified volunteers work together to
provide campers with unforgettable
memories to last a lifetime!
www.rockeagle4h.org
Page 3
Summer 2006 Counselors
Many thanks to these counselors and those who will work with them
throughout the summer to bring a fun, safe summer camping season to
thousands of Georgia’s youth!
Rock Eagle 2006 Leadership
Counselor Coordinator- Laurie Murrah-Walton County
Micos-
Cherokee
Muscogee
Shawnee
Cameron Buchanan-Pickens County
BJ McQuinn-Columbia County
Vanessa Bolden-Bleckley County
Matt Christopher-Cherokee County
Kristen Davis-Bleckley County
Matthew Williams-Crawford County
Cloverleaf Adventure Program-Lindsay Isbell-Troup County
Major Interest-Chris Nowicki-Heard County
Special Interest Program-Randi Walden-Henry County
Sports & Recreation-Nekeisha Randall-Peach County
Waterfront-Anna Daniel-Butts County
Small Camp Lead Counselors
Burton 4-H Center
Kristin Felton-Clarke County
Fortson 4-H Center
Justin Freeman-Gwinnett County
Jekyll Island 4-H Center
Shari Taylor-Whitfield County
Wahsega 4-H Center
Christa DeMassie-Bleckley County
www.rockeagle4h.org
Page 4
Cabin Construction begins at Rock Eagle
The fifty-four cabins at Rock Eagle 4-H Center
have served over three million 4-H’ers and
adults for over fifty years. The cabin, designed
in the early 1050’s, was a modern, practical design that has survived with only minor renovations. Sadly, the
cabins
do
not
serve today’s visitors as well as they
once did.
This
combined
with
structural degradation of the existing
cabins, has created a need for
new facilities at
Rock Eagle!
In 2004, funding
for a new prototype
cabin was secured.
Located
directly
across from the
Bankers Building,
the new cabin is now open and will be used by
groups this summer. The Rock Eagle Staff as
well as the architects are using this opportunity
to modify the existing design so that as additional cabins are built, they will be the best possible design.
to 1,574 on the existing cabins. Cabins will
sleep twenty-two in six bedrooms, each with private baths. Each bedroom will have a desk area
with internet connections and individual cubbies
with electrical outlets. A common living room will
have seating and
a satellite TV.
Wireless internet
will be available in
each cabin.
A commercial water heater ensures
that all visitors receive
a
hot
shower.
Cabins
are equipped with
a sprinkler system
and fire alarms as
well as a door
alarm that may be
set from the adult
room.
Central
heating and air
conditioning will keep visitors comfortable and
each room will have individual controls.
The total cost of the new prototype cabin is
$450,00 including construction and demolition of
the existing cabin. Furnishings will be an additional $20,000. The 4-H Foundation is actively
The new cabins are 3,076 square feet compared
www.rockeagle4h.org
(Continued on page 7)
Page 5
Rock Eagle 4-H Programs
lose a Giant Contributor & Good Friend
As of January 1, 2006, Georgia 4-H Public
Service Faculty Member Erik Thompson
resigned his job as Coordinator of Camping and
Natural Resource Programs to pursue a dream
of managing his own private business.
Erik
Thompson
began his career with
Georgia 4-H in 1994
as a staff teacher in
t h e
4 - H
Environmental
Education Program.
The following year
Erik went to Tybee
4-H Center as an
Environmental
Education Instructor
and shortly after his
arrival he was named
Coordinator of the
Environmental Education
Program. Erik held these
responsibilities for a few
months
before
being
selected as the Camp
Manager of Tybee 4-H
Center, a position held for
5 years.
During early
Spring of 2001, Erik was
asked to go to Jekyll Island
4-H Center to help the
center during a transition
period until a new Camp
Manager could be hired. In
2002, Erik was selected as
a Public Service Faculty
Member in charge of
Summer Camping and
Natural Resources.
Erik’s contributions to the
4-H Program have been
extremely important to the
success of Burton 4-H
Center on Tybee Island
and Jekyll 4-H Centers. His contributions have
helped the overall Summer Camping program.
Arch Smith, Associate State 4-H Leader, has
stated that, “It is because of Erik Thompson’s
leadership throughout the late 90’s that we were
able to hold on to Tybee Island 4-H Center.
Tybee 4-H Center had faced tremendous
financial issues that kept people talking about
the
possibility
of
closing the center. It
was
because
of
Erik’s
fiscal
management abilities
and his ability to
ensure that both the
summer
camping
and
environmental
education programs
were the highest
quality that we were
able keep Tybee
Island 4-H Center
open. Along with a
gift from Bob and Maxine
Burton we were able to put
the facility on sound
financial
foot ing
and
renamed the center, Burton
4-H Center on Tybee
Island”.
Erik was also instrumental
in helping to improve
several situations at Jekyll
Island 4-H Center during
his short stay as Center
Manager. In 2002, when
Erik was named public
Service Faculty Member in
charge of the Summer
Camping Program, he was
immediately handed the
challenge of evaluating the
Native American theme
used in the Summer
Camping Program at Rock
Eagle 4- H Center. Erik
handled this responsibility
in the most professional manner and made
(Continued on page 7)
www.rockeagle4h.org
Page 6
Raptors Rule the Roost at Rock Eagle
Eastern screech owl, Miles, a gray phase
Eastern screech owl, and Elo, an American
kestrel were the first to arrive. Buddy, a great
horned owl, came in August.
Summer camp officially introduced our birds
when a new class was offered teaching bird
biology and conservation to campers. The next
two Environmental Education seasons (Fall
2003 and Spring 2004) became the testing
ground for two new classes, Ornithology and
Raptors.
Project Bird Nerd (a community
service learning project) was developed in
Spring 2004 with local 4-H’ers and helped Rock
Eagle by building bird feeders for the bird blind.
Throughout the last three years, many
additions have been made to the raptors
program. A bird silhouette wall was painted on
the mews so students can see the true
wingspans of various birds. A bird blind allows
students to watch various song birds without too
much disturbance and a bird costume allows
them to experience unique bird characteristics
firsthand.
Rock Eagle 4-H Center’s Environmental
Education (EE) Program is proud to offer an
unique experience to their visitors; an up close
and personal visit with live raptors! Raptors are
also known as birds of prey because they hunt
for their food. Eagles, falcons, hawks, and owls
are all considered raptors and Rock Eagle
currently houses 3 owls and 1 falcon for our
programs.
We have many exciting plans for the
raptor program that hopefully will include a new
bird this summer! The long term goal of the
program is to be able to offer a flighted raptor
program for our visitors. In these plans is
another, larger mews and use of Rock Eagle’s
amphitheater. The Rock Eagle Environmental
Education Program would like to thank
everyone for their support and is looking
forward to the exciting additions for the future.
Early in
2003, Rock Eagle began
preparations for the raptors by building housing
called mews and by developing curriculum for
the EE and Summer Camp programs. By
February, three birds had arrived from
Sanctuary on Sapelo, a privately owned
rehabilitation sanctuary off the coast of Georgia.
Each bird is non-releasable due to injury,
illness, or some other factor
that renders the bird unlikely,
even
after
appropriate
rehabilitative treatment, to
survive in the wild should it be
released. Ella, a red phase
www.rockeagle4h.org
Page 7
(Continued from page 5)
(Continued from page 4)
some much needed changes in the Summer
Camping Program that will make a lasting impact
upon the program at Rock Eagle. Erik improved
the training programs provided to Summer Camp
Counselor’s by continuing to enlist outside
resources to help train the Summer Counselors.
seeking funding for the new cabins. Naming opportunities exist. If you are interested in helping
Rock Eagle improve please contact Arch Smith
or Mary Ann Parsons at 706-542-4444.
In addition to his responsibilities as Camping
Coordinator, Erik was in charge of the 4-H
Wildlife and Forestry Judging Programs as well
as Project SAFE. Project SAFE, 4-H Shooting
and Target Sports, is one of the largest volunteer
led programs in Georgia 4-H. Erik is responsible
for improving and implementing the volunteer
leader certification program for Project SAFE in
Georgia. Today over 500 volunteers are certified
coaches for the many disciplines of Project SAFE
which include archery, BB, modified trap, trap and
skeet, air pistol and air rifle.
Erik was a friend to many and a wonderful leader
of the Summer Camp Counselor Program and he
will be missed by those that worked with him at
the 4-H Centers and the State 4-H Office. Erik is
married to the former Naomi Gomillion who
served as Camp Manager at Burton 4-H Center
on Tybee Island during the time that Erik
managed Jekyll Island 4-H Center. On March 1,
2006, Erik & Naomi welcomed their daughter,
Kenzie, into the world. Georgia 4-H wishes to
thank Erik and Naomi Thompson for their
tremendous contributions to Georgia 4-H and
wish them and their daughter, Kenzie, the best
that life has to offer. Thank You, Erik!
BOOK YOUR GROUP!
Need a meeting venue for 10 or 100? Allow
us to provide your organization with retreat
accommodations and conference facilities.
We have 54 cottages, 110 acre lake, chapel,
1230 seat auditorium, 8 meeting facilities
that accommodate up to 300 each, team
building/ropes course, swimming pools, a
natural history museum and much more!
Georgia 4-H Centers and
Environmental Education
Locations
Rock Eagle 4-H Center
350 Rock Eagle Road
Eatonton GA 31024
706-484-2800
FAX: 706 -484-2888
[email protected]
Fortson 4-H Center
999 Fortson Road
Hampton GA 30228
770-946-3276
[email protected]
Jekyll Island 4-H Center
201 S. Beachview Drive
Jekyll Island GA 31527
912-635-4117
[email protected]
Tidelands Nature Center
100 S. Riverview Drive
Jekyll Island GA 31527
912-635-5032
[email protected]
Burton 4-H Center
9 Lewis Avenue
Tybee Island GA 31328
912-786-5534
[email protected]
Wahsega 4-H Center
77 Cloverleaf Trail
Dahlonega GA 30533
706-864-2050
[email protected]
Call 706-484-2800
Email [email protected]
www.rockeagle4h.org
Pre Sorted
Standard
U.S Postage
Georgia 4-H Foundation
Hoke Smith Annex
University of Georgia
Athens GA 30602-4356
PAID
Palatine, IL P&DC
Permit No 7133
Rock Eagle 4-H Center ? 350 Rock Eagle Road NW ? Eatonton GA 31024
706-484-2800 ? FAX 706-484-2888 ? [email protected]
www.rockeagle4h.org
The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state
cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without
regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to
a diverse work force.
2005-2006 Annual Fund
Why give? Last year, the 2004-2005 Annual Fund
raised nearly $368,000 to support Georgia 4-H. Your
support is needed to ensure that Georgia's youth can
continue to experience life-enriching opportunities and
learn important life skills. In order to coordinate state 4H programs and activities, private support is needed. While state appropriations
pay for agent salaries in many counties, state dollars do not provide funding for
activities such as District Project Achievement, judging events, and other special
activities in which 4-H'ers benefit.
If you would like to make a gift to the Georgia 4-H Foundation, or would like to
learn more about other giving
opportunities, contact Mary Ann Parsons,
Development Coordinator, Georgia 4-H
Foundation, at (706) 542-9238 or via email at [email protected] .
* The Georgia 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations made to the Georgia 4-H
Foundation are tax deductible according to IRS standards.
www.rockeagle4h.org