Events, Activities and More Coming Up for Area Kids

By Heather Canter

Locally, the Ashe County Partnership for Children as well as 4-H, a program of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Ashe County Center, offers a variety of events and activities for area youth. A few of the 4-H programs have a higher cost; however, some scholarships are available to those who would like to attend but would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so.

Ashe County Partnership for Children's Cooperative Play Center at Family Central offers parents and children group play and learning throughout the week. The Play Center is open for all children ages birth through five years. Parents can bring their children in to play Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are special play groups during the week as well. Structured play groups are offered from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.

Plans are in the works for the 4-H Summer Parks seven week day camp. The camp is held at Family Central from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday, June 10 through July 29. Youth will get to participate in several projects and activities including swimming, expressive arts, outdoor adventures, fishing, cooking, movies, gardening and more. The cost is $550 for all summer or $285 per session. Some scholarships are available. Registration is set for May 20. For more information, call Sheila Blevins, 4-H Program Assistant, at (336) 846-5850.

The 4-H New River Canoe Race is set for Saturday, June 6, beginning at Zaloo's Canoes. It is known as one of the most popular summertime events in Ashe County, according to North Carolina Cooperative Extension. The event is sponsored by Ashe County 4-H and features award plaques, along with an assortment of door prizes donated by area merchants. Participants will also receive a canoe race t-shirt.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and boats will begin entering the water at 9 a.m. with the last boat entering the water at 1:30 p.m. The race will end at New River State Park. Families are welcome to participate with children being accompanied by an adult. Proceeds from the race go to the 4-H Scholarship Fund to sponsor children to attend after school programs, summer camps and other 4-H activities.

On June 16-18, sixth through eighth graders can attend a 4-H Investigates Camp at East Wilkes Middle School. The cost is $35 and meals, t-shirts and transportation costs are included and are non-refundable. The deadline to register is June 1.

Participants at the camp will become detectives as they determine who killed Henry Ward in a hit and run car accident almost 100 years ago. Those attending will solve this crime by utilizing various cross-curricular techniques including blood typing, forensic anthropology, fingerprint analysis, impressions analysis for tires and shoes, hair analysis, blood spatter and DNA evidence. Space is limited so those interested should register as soon as possible.

A 4-H Summer Camping Trip is set for June 21-26 with a deadline to enter set for June 1. The trip is open to those eight to 10 years of age. The cost is $320, non-refundable, and includes a t-shirt, lodging, food, insurance and $10 in store money. A $50 early deposit is required.

During the trip, those attending will go to Swannanoa 4-H Center and participate in a week full of swimming, archery, low ropes course, climbing tower, hikes, zip line, woodworking and meeting new friends from around North Carolina. Space is limited.

A Chef n' Child Camp will be held at the Agricultural Service Center in Jefferson July 14-17, 8 a.m. to noon each day. Those ages 10 to 13 are eligible to attend. The cost is $5 and is non-refundable. Attendees will join a local chef, County Extension Director Carolyn Shepherd and Extension Agent Jennifer Miller for a fun filled week of learning how to prepare easy, nutritious meals and snacks. The camp will also focus on working in the food service industry, kitchen safety, measuring techniques and table manners. Each participant will take home a recipe box filled with simple recipes.

The Ashe Campus of Wilkes Community College will host a 4-H Entrepreneurship Camp July 6-10 for rising seventh through ninth graders. The cost is only $50, but is non-refundable. The deadline to register is July 1.

The camp participants will be introduced to entrepreneurship as a viable career option. Youth will learn about their community and identify opportunities for small business ventures. As a member of a team, participants will go through the business planning process to create and implement a business plan.

Also planned by 4-H is a Mini Garden Program. Those who enjoy planting and growing vegetables and flowers can participate in this program, which will focus on the importance of growing your own vegetables as well as providing instruction on how to utilize resources to maximize garden results. The program is open to youth, ages five to 18. There is no cost for the program, which is co-sponsored by Southern States, Parsons Farm Supply, Crop Production Services and Ashe County Farm Bureau.

A 4-H Gardening Workshop will be held May 18 at 6 p.m. at Ashe Family Central.