David Broyles | The News
Summer Explosion 4-H classes are set to open with Gadgetology. A slate of summer-long activities will kick off on Wednesday.
DOBSON — The 4-H Summer Explosion Series for Surry County youth has been announced by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. According to Extension Agent Carmen Long, a slate of summer-long activities will kick off on Wednesday with “Gadgetology.”
“We plan on using basic but not familiar kitchen gadgets in this class,” said Long. “Participants will use them to cook but will also use them in various ways for science investigations. Children might be familiar with some items, but not know about others such as a pasta spoon. Our goal is to get them to eat healthy foods and to enjoy learning new things.”
The class on Wednesday will be for children ages 5 to 8 years and another class be held on June 7 for those age 9 to 12 years. Class times on both days will be 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the extension office in Dobson.
“Sew Original” will return to the explosion classes on June 11. Long said this year the class will shift its focus from making clothing to using basic sewing skills to make something to decorate their room. She said projects could include a pillow or wall art. This class also will be held in Dobson at the extension offices from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students are asked to bring a bag lunch for this activity, and it is for those ages 12 to 18 years.
Participants will be encouraged to think outside of the lunch box in the “what’s in your lunch box and where does your food come from” class in what is being described as a day of food games and learning how to make healthy choices of foods. Long said one goal of the class is to learn about healthier options than kids normally see in their lunches. This class is for students age 5 to 8 years and will be held in Dobson at the extension center from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Fun with Fish has been set for June 10 and is for participants 12 to 18 years of age. Students will meet at the extension offices at 8:30 a.m. and the class ends at 4:30 p.m. The Bee Buddies class is set for June 27 in Dobson at the extension offices. It is for participants ages 9 to 12 years and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is characterized as a “bee-ginning” class into the biology of honeybees.
“Pastabilities” will be held on Aug. 6 and 8 at the extension offices. Long said the agents have put together a program to allow students to use a pasta machine to make homemade pasta and to discover the different shapes and dishes pasta can be used for. She added that several craft making opportunities using different pastas will be available to participants.
Youth opportunities not directly related to Summer Explosion also will be offered. Long said The Chef and Child program will be held on June 26 and 27. It is sponsored by the North Carolina Culinary Federation and will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. The first day at the extension offices will feature preparation of the food to be cooked on the second day at Fisher River Park.
On June 18, a three-day event titled 4-H Investigates, which Long said is a multi-county effort, will be held in Statesville and will expose participants to the world of forensics and criminal investigation. Activities will include fingerprinting, a tour of an animal diagnostics lab and a mortuary, and will end with a tour of the Surry County Jail and Courthouse.
Long said the service’s equine adventures class already has filled its early morning class but is looking for participants for the evening class. This class will teach participants about horse safety and care and is set for Aug. 6.
“We count on hearing from people about the classes and ideas for other activities,” said Long. “Their input helps us know what to offer. We are expecting it to be an explosion of fun for children this summer.”
Advanced registration is encouraged and persons may obtain more information about Summer Explosion Classes or register by calling 401-8025.
Reach David Broyles at dbroyles@civitasmedia.com or 719-1952.
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