SU Ag Center's holds second annual JAGcation Summer Camp
Baton Rouge, La. - The two-week, hands-on agricultural experiential learning summer camp was open to students ages 9-11 and focused on various concepts and careers in agriculture and family and consumer sciences. Agricultural specialists, researchers, and academicians also introduced campers to the areas of animal science, entomology, food science, nutrition, plant and soil sciences, and public health among other topics.
Students participated in many activities including planting their own plants using newspaper pots, building raised beds for container gardening, building bird feeders using water bottles, and cardio kickboxing. They also attended sessions on robotics, aeronautics, food safety, public health, emergency preparedness, textile research, hydroponics, yoga, gardening, the dangers of smoking, and more.
“The JAGcation Summer Camp has impacted the community and youth tremendously. In just two weeks, the 9-11 year old campers were able to gain a vast amount of Ag based knowledge,” said Si-Arah McCray, JAGcation chair. “These children are our future, therefore we want to continue to pique their interest in agriculture, with high hopes of leading to agriculture based careers. The JAGcation Summer Camp will continue to flourish in the years to come,” she added.
The camp concluded with a closing ceremony on June 15 where the campers served parents with a Juneteeth lunch that they prepared during the camp.
During the closing ceremony, Dr. De’Shoin York, Vice Chancellor for Extension and Outreach, stated that for year 2024 they are working to have two groups available during the JAGcation Summer Camp offered by the SU Ag Center’s Cooperative Extension Program.
For additional information on JAGcation, contact Si-Arah McCray at siarah_mccray@suagcenter.com.