Alabama 4-H Science School

Apply here! 🍀
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/46844

Thanks to the Alabaster library for hosting us tonight! We had a blast! 💚🐢

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We wish everyone a fun, safe, and celebratory 4th! 🇺🇸🎉🌭

WE ARE HIRING!! We are looking for fall instructors! Application link is below! 🍀🔥

If you would like to be a residential instructor apply here ... https://www.auemployment.com/postings/37019

If you live local and would like to be a nonresidential instructor apply here ... https://www.auemployment.com/postings/37020

First Teen Camp ever was a BLAST! 🍀

Happy first day of summer camp!!! ☀️🛶 We hope you all have enjoyed meeting our superhero summer staff! We cannot wait to have the best summer ever with all of our campers! A meet the staff wouldn’t be complete without getting to meet our 3 full time staff who will be working with you all this summer 😎

Starting us off is our very own Alabama 4-H Environmental Education Manager, Amy! Amy is from Mobile, AL and got her degree in Environmental Sciences at Auburn University 🐯 In her free time, Amy loves to spend time with her family, enjoy the outdoors, eat tacos, and go on the occasional Target run. Her superpower would be the power to read minds! This summer Amy is most excited about hearing how much our kiddos love camp!

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Next up is our Alabama 4-H Center Animal Care Specialist, Bess! Bess grew up in Opelika, AL and got her degree in Biology at the University of Montevallo. Her hobbies include pottery, restoring classic cars, and collecting rocks 🪨 The superpower Bess would have would be the power to control plants! When asked what she was most excited about for this summer, Bess said she can’t wait to hear the sounds of kiddos laughing across camp and the slaps of kayak/paddleboard/canoe paddles hitting the water!

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Ending our meet the staff is our Alabama 4-H Center Program Coordinator, Erin! Erin grew up in Marietta, GA and got their degree in Wildlife Ecology & Management at Auburn University! She loves to spend time with friends & family, cuddle her cats and bird, and talk about Noah Kahan or Ted Lasso. If they had any superpower, Erin would have the power of shape shifting! This summer Erin is most excited for the center to be full of fun energy and see both youth and adults alike make long lasting memories in the outdoors! 🌲

Summer Camp starts tomorrow!!!! We are so excited it’s finally here, and we have the last 3 of our summer staff for y’all to meet!

Everyone say hello to Robbie! Robbie grew up in Roanoke, VA and studied Film at Old Dominion University 🎬 If he could have any superpower, he would want to have super speed just like Sonic the Hedgehog! This summer Robbie is most excited about hanging out with all of his friends here at summer camp!

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Introducing Monéa!! Monéa is a student at Tuskegee University studying Environmental Science! She loves to spend her free time reading 📚 Her superpower would be time manipulation. When asked what she was most excited about for summer camp, Monéa said she can’t wait to teach our archery class and make positive memories!

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Last but not least is Conor! Conor is from Savannah, GA and studied at Georgia College and State University. Conor’s interests include catching salamanders and reptiles, DnD, and video games! If he could have any superpower, he would have the power of telekinesis. Conor is most excited to see the outdoors and help kids have a fun summer outside! ☀️

Friday is here!! We hope everyone has a restful Memorial Day weekend! 🇺🇸 We are finishing up our staff training here, and we have more staff for y’all to meet!

Say hello and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our very own Erika! Erika is from Montgomery, AL and got their Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at the University of Montevallo! In her free time, Erika loves to do anything involving art. If they could have any superpower, Erika would have the power of telekinesis so they can be lazy in peace. Erika is most excited about playing with our foam machine this summer! 🫧

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Also introducing Xander! Xander grew up around the southeast but he’s originally from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2023 with degrees in political science, sociology, and environmental studies. Xander loves writing, hiking, cooking for his friends, climbing and caving 🧗🏻 If he could have any superpower it would be super speed. Xander is most excited about our climbing wall and clover hop activities!

Happy Thursday everyone! Time to meet two more of our spectacular summer staff!! 🏹

Starting off we have Brooke! Brooke is from Jasper, AL and got her degree in marketing at the University of North Alabama (roar lions 🦁) Her current obsession is Pokémon Go, and she also loves anything Marvel or Harry Potter! Brooke is confident that her superpower would DEFINITELY be flying! Joining us for her second summer season, Brooke is most excited about meeting all of the new campers!

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Hello hello to Josie! Josie grew up in the city of Remlap, AL and got a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at the University of Montevallo. In her free time, she loves to go hiking, draw, and read 📚 If she could have any superpower, Josie would have the power of shapeshifting! When asked what she was most looking forward to about summer camp, she said that she is so excited to meet all of our campers and for everyone to learn, grow, and experience new things together!

Summer camp is officially ONE WEEK AWAY 🎉 We hope everyone is getting excited! Our staff cannot wait to meet all of our campers!

Today, we have Hayleigh! Hayleigh is from Alabaster, AL and is studying Marine Biology at the University of Montevallo! 🪼🦑🦈🌊🪸She has always been curious about the ocean ever since she was little and her mom would tell her stories of how cool it was scuba diving and getting to see a whole different world! Hayleigh’s goal is to make a career in marine conservation and wildlife rehabilitation! She really likes plants and animals and learning more about them. 🪴🦎Hayleigh always loves sharing facts she learns with the kiddos! In her free time, if she is on her own, she likes hiking to a nice view and reading. 🏕️📖 Hayleigh’s favorite thing to do though is spend time with her sweet daughter on the playground or going on an adventure with her daughter and her husband, Zach! If she could have any super power it would be to communicate with animals and plants, especially mushrooms! 🐍🦉🍄 Hayleigh is most excited about seeing the kids work together and cheer each other on at Challenge Course and Climbing Wall!

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Also introducing Ashlyn! Ashlyn grew up in Opelika, AL and got her Associates degree in Music Arts at Shelton State 🎶 She loves to do anything arts & crafts, like painting and drawing, and also enjoys building and fixing things. If she had a superpower, Ashlyn would have the ability of superspeed or invisibility! When asked what she was most excited about for summer camp, Ashlyn said she can’t wait to be outside all day, every day!

One day closer to 4-H Summer Camp means 2 more of our stellar staff for y’all to meet!!! 🏕️

A big hello to Grayson! Grayson grew up in Hoover, AL. He went to the University of Montevallo for a degree in Psychology, and he will be continuing his career education this fall at the University of Alabama studying Marriage and Family Therapy! Grayson’s hobbies include hiking, fly fishing, and climbing 🎣 If he could have any superpower, Grayson would have the power of teleportation! If you see Grayson this summer, you will probably see him at his favorite activity, our Clover Hop!

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Everyone, meet Sarah! Sarah is from Montevallo, AL and is studying Anthropology at UAB. In her free time, she loves to play Stardew Valley, go on walks with her dog, and write! If she could have any superpower, Sarah would have the spooky power of necromancy 👻 Sarah is so excited to joke around with our campers and show them how lovely it is to be a part of nature!

Summer Camp is almost here!! ☀️🛶

With camps starting next week, it’s time to meet our incredible staff who will be working with y’all this summer!

Starting off our first day of Meet the Staff is Mary Kate (MK)! MK is from Anniston, AL and got a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in Management at the University of Montevallo. MK loves to play volleyball and/or soccer, go rock climbing, hiking, and explore new places! She is always down for an adventure and trying new things. MK is a huge people person so she loves getting to know any and everyone. If MK could have any super power, she would have the power to read minds 🧠 When asked about what she was most excited about for summer camp she said: “I am most excited about getting to hang with all the 4-Hers and close out my chapter at 4-H on a sweet note. After summer camp, I will be moving so all these lasts are bittersweet for me. I’m also super into our archery class at 4-H and can’t wait to facilitate it again! It’s a lot of fun and I always enjoy teaching it.”

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Hello from Rachel!! Rachel is from Daphne, AL and is studying Psychology at the University of Mobile. Her hobbies include computers, reading, and comics. If Rachel could have any superpower, she would have the power of invisibility 🫥 When asked what she was most excited for this summer, Rachel said she was looking forward to meeting all the campers and taking them through the fun activities!

Stay tuned tomorrow to meet some more of our amazing summer staff!

We are loving having Thompson Intermediate at the center this week! Over 200 kiddos came to learn about birds, water quality, survival skills and so much more!! ☀️🎉

Lettuce have a munch!! 🥬 🐢 🍀

Sandy and Tiny our resident Gopher Tortises are loving all these fresh garden greens!

Such a fun group!!!

🌎HAPPY EARTH DAY🌎

To celebrate Earth Day here at the Alabama 4H, we wanted to share some things you could do this Earth Day to celebrate!

~Switch to a reusable water bottle💧
~Start composting!🪱�~Turn off lights when you’re not in the room!💡�~Switch all your bills to paperless🧾

Composting can also help our wild birds like Roosevelt, the Barred Owl, by keeping food off the roads. Many birds, like Roosevelt, are victims of car strikes from hunting their prey who eat food that is thrown out onto roads. Help protect our wild birds and live more sustainably by not feeding our roadways!

WE ARE HIRING! Are you looking for the best summer job EVER? 🍀 Apply today for a 4-H Summer Camp Counselor position! Application open now until April 20. ☀️🦸‍♂️

Apply with this link below ...
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/43095

Exciting week at the Alabama 4-H Center with a prescribed burn on campus! 🔥

What is a prescribed burn?
- The planned application of fire to a forest area with the intent of keeping the fire within a confined area.

Why have a prescribed burn?
- Conducting a controlled burn helps limit the amount of fuel build-up on the ground. This greatly reduces the chance of a wildfire, an uncontrolled fire, from occurring.
- Fire reduces competition from hardwoods and other pines, maintaining open conditions necessary for longleaf pines and native plants, while providing food and habitat for wildlife.

We are so excited to have had this burn to help our forests and longleaf pines thrive! 🌲

Are you looking for the best summer job EVER? 🍀 Apply today for a 4-H Summer Camp Counselor position! Application open now until April 1. ☀️🦸‍♂️

Apply with this link below ...
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/43095

ONLY 5 SPOTS REMAINING - I REPEAT ONLY 5 SPOTS!! If you are interested in teen camp at the 4-H Center, claim your spot today! Register through 4honline. 🦸‍♀️🍀

Happy Friday! We are loving this warm weather and can’t wait to welcome new students soon! The EE staff preparing to show students the best ways to catch the biggest fish! 🐟☀️

BIG NEWS!!! We got new auto belays on our climbing wall and they are AWESOME! Who’s coming to the science school this year and excited to try them out?! 💪🏾☀️🧗🏼‍♂️

🍀Welcome AL4HSS Spring Staff 2024!🌷

We had a great first day of training with team building and going through our challenge course!

Communication, trust, teamwork, and everything that makes a successful team are what your group can learn when taking our Team Initiatives or Challenge Course classes! 💪🏼

The best crew!

Let's get to know the Alabama 4-H Center Environmental Education Team! 🍀

The full-time staff, pictured on the top, includes Bess Taylor (left) and Erin Dye (right).
Bess is from Opelika, Alabama. Bess is the Alabama 4-H Center Animal Care Specialist and has been in this position for 11 years. Mentoring crew members passionate about environmental education, seeing youth light up when holding animals, and connecting with youth are some of Bess’s favorite parts of the job. Bess enjoys pottery and has been practicing this hobby for about 5 years. Thank you for your hard work, Bess!
Erin is the Alabama 4-H Science School Program Coordinator and has been in this position for almost 2 years. Erin is from Marietta, Georgia. Helping train seasonal staff and watching each team member grow into their confidence and style of teaching is one of Erin’s favorite parts of the job. A fun fact is that Erin played trombone in the Auburn University Marching Band. Thank you, Erin, for your passion for teaching youth!

The seasonal staff, pictured on the bottom, work daily with visiting school groups and occasionally with conference center groups. They teach all the science and outdoor adventure classes/activities. All seasonal staff are college graduates, mostly from Alabama, but a few are from out-of-state.
Seasonal staff, left to right:
Conor Evans, Hayleigh Fancher, Xander Swain, Mary Kate Middlebrook, Erika Lewis, Hannah Hembree, Robbie Vandeburg, and Brooke Davis. Thank you all for investing your time in Alabama youth!

Meet the Alabama 4-H Center Environmental Education Manager, Amy Carbone!

Amy has been working at the 4-H Center for 10 years. Her favorite part of the job is being able to watch youth experience the outdoors in a new way and showing them that they can practice hands-on/minds-on learning everywhere they go! In spare time, she enjoys cooking and adventuring to the park with her family and pup, Kya. Amy is a mom to one with another on the way.

Thanks for all of your hard work at the 4-H Center, Amy!

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!

REMINDER - 4-H Teen Camp (14-18 Year Old) registration opens tomorrow 1/16 at 8:00 a.m. - Camp is open to the first 100 complete registrations. Incomplete registrations will be be purged at the top of each hour until registration is full. Happy registration! Once the event is sold out, a wait list will be formed by emailing [email protected] the 4-Hers name, county, and date of birth.

Hiring for the kitchen!