CLOVER KIDS CAMPERS LEARN ABOUT OUTDOORS

When Dortha Strack first dreamed of a camp for youngsters involved in the Young Americans 4-H Clubs, she probably didn't think about poison ivy.

But Tara Kirchdoerfer of Jackson did.

During a nature walk Sunday at Clover Kids Camp, Tara took pictures of poison ivy growing at Cape County Park North.

Why would anyone need a picture of poison ivy?

"I want to always know what it looks like," she said.

What Strack was most concerned with when creating the camp was finding a variety of activities that all ages could enjoy. And she did during the first Clover Kids Camp.

More than 25 children, ranging from age 5 to 7, attended the daylong event at the park. The children are members of the Young Americans 4-H Club.

They made crafts, completed a woodworking project, took a nature hike and even had time for a snack. The children were divided into groups as they made their way through the day's activities.

The children also were given a camera to record the days events -- and pictures of poison ivy. And everyone got a T-shirt to remember the day, Strack said.

While Tara's photography skills were put to the test, her twin brother, Adam, created a "pig" cookie at the foods center. He also experimented with other desserts. "We also took ice cream cones and filled them with fruit and put on whipped cream," he said.

At the craft center, the children decorated a flower pot which was filled with a maple tree seedling. The trees, and their decorated pots, traveled home with the children.

Michaela Haley, 5, lives on a farm so it would seem natural for her to know about farm animals. She put her knowledge to work and made a cow at the woodworking center.

Each child selected a pattern for their project, taped it to a wooden block and used a hammer and nail to mark the outline before staining the piece.

"We made it without any smashed fingers," said Greg Ellers, parent volunteer.

The campers also made a memory book to record the day's events.

Strack has been a 4-H leader for 37 years. The club "is a family event," she said. "I just love working with the kids."

Before the day was completed, the campers planted a cherry tree and participated in a read-along poem by Kandy Peek.