By Beth Kerr, 4-H/FCS Agent Contributor
Hamilton County 4-H’ers participated in a three-day career exploration day camp in July designed to deliver workforce preparation education to high school youth. Participants learned about the value of human capital and identified hard skills and soft skills necessary to both land and keep a job. The characteristics of professionalism were reviewed with emphasis on honesty, accountability, communication, positive attitude, teamwork and initiative. Youth connected the need for professional behavior at work, in the community and at school.
Guest speakers included Senior Forester Greg Staten of the Florida Forest Service, who shared his knowledge of career options in the forest industry. Forester Staten is Hamilton County’s Forester and has worked in both private and state forestry positions. As part of his responsibilities, Staten visits landowners and provides educational information on tree health of forested acreage.
Master Sergeant Ben Hurst of the Florida National Guard provided an overview of the benefits and responsibilities of National Guard service. Youth learned about opportunities to develop job skills through advanced training programs, educational benefits that include college and technical school tuition and the honor of service to our home state, our country and overseas.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Mitch Cline provided an overview of the wide range of the career opportunities with the FWC. From the northern border to the southern tip of Florida, the jobs available through FWC are as varied as the ecosystems of the state itself. Officer Cline’s guest, a young gator, was a surprise to 4-H day campers. Many youth took the opportunity to hold the gator for a photo op.
The day camp included a field trip to North Florida College’s Public Safety Academy where youth met Firearms Instructor Karen Williams. Williams prepared for their visit by setting up a mock crime scene. Day camp participants photographed the scene, collected physical evidence and lifted fingerprints. They received instruction on firearm safety and practiced target shooting on the academy’s simulator. The Public Safety Academy prepares adults for a variety of careers including law enforcement officer, correctional officer and probation officer. The academy provides specialized training, continued workforce educational programs and recertification courses.
Each youth participant completed a workforce preparation notebook during the day camp with the opportunity to submit their work to receive project book awards through Hamilton County 4-H. Workforce preparation and life skill development are foundational to the UF/IFAS Extension Hamilton County 4-H program. 4-H programs are designed for youth ages five – 18 with age-appropriate workshops, day camps, residential camps, in-school enrichment programs and community clubs. The new 4-H year begins September 1st! For more information on 4-H opportunities in Hamilton County, call 4-H agent Beth Kerr at (386) 792-1276 or email her at makerr@ufl.edu.
Beth Kerr serves Hamilton County as the UF/IFAS 4-H and Family and Consumer Science Agent. She is available by emailing makerr@ufl.edu or calling the UF/IFAS Extension Hamilton County Office at (386) 792-1276. UF/IFAS Extension is an equal opportunity institution