By Jennifer Whittaker

This is the 50th year the Rock Eagle 4-H Center has been teaching Georgia 4-Hers to “make the best better.”

“This is a place for children to have the chance to learn about their world and themselves,” says Arch Smith, associate state 4-H leader. “The friendships and contacts young people make through 4-H help them become productive citizens.”

In the summer, between 15-25 county 4-H programs attend camp at Rock Eagle each week. When the 4-Hers arrive they are assigned to one of three tribes – Muskogee, Cherokee or Shawanee. Indian tribes are identified by their tribal colors – the Muskogee yellow, Cherokee orange and Shawanee blue. Camp counselors were once called chiefs and princesses but are know referred to as micos (pronounced me-ko), a native American term for leader. Campers get to choose their classes and activities from a wide selection that includes photography, cooking, archery, sailing, hiking and canoeing.

“The 4-H Camp Program was designed to educate the whole person - the head, heart, health and hands – the four tenants of 4-H,” explains State 4-H Leader Bo Ryles.

During camp 4-Hers use their hands to make crafts and keep their cabins clean. Character building exercises reach the campers’ hearts while daily hiking, swimming and canoeing activities improve their health. Campers improve their minds by learning about nature and Native American Indians while exploring the campground.

“I just like the place,” Candler County 4-Her Danielle Donalson answers when asked why she serves as a teen leader at the camp. “I learned about snakes - the poisonous ones and the nonpoisonous ones. I’m still kind of freaked out by them, but at least now I know the difference.”

On the final night of camp, the 4-Hers gather to learn which tribe accumulated the most points - earned by keeping their cabins clean and good behavior - to win the tribal shield. They also watch the Rock Eagle Pageant, a dramatization of how Rock Eagle came to be. At the end of the evening, with the 4-Hers gathered around a bonfire, the tribal shield is returned to its place of honor and the camp coordinator brings out the 4-H Clover, the symbol that binds all 4-Hers back home in the real world.

“It’s really neat the way they dress up like Indians and dance and act out the story,” said Candler County 4-Her Janie Henderson.

During the past 50 years, many Georgia kids have learned to swim while attending 4-H camp at Rock Eagle.

Throughout the year, 4-Hers come to Rock Eagle for various events such as district project achievement competitions and State 4-H Council. Since beginning in 1979, the 4-H Environmental Education Program has taught more than 700,000 Georgia students about nature. Since opening its doors in the spring of 1955, Rock Eagle has served over three million 4-H members, religious, service and education related youth and adult groups. Time has taken its toll on the facility in numerous areas.

“The newness has wore off Rock Eagle and it is due for a renovation, Smith says. Thanks to private donations and state funding, several renovation projects are underway and improvements have been made. This summer campers enjoyed a first class new pool. A new covered pavilion will open this fall for hosting dances and other assembly events. A new state-of-the-art dining facility is being planned thanks to funds approved by the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Farm Bureau has donated funds to help fund an exhibit that explores where agriculture is today and where it came from. 4-Hers who visit the Scott Plantation, a family farmstead adjacent to the Rock Eagle Center, learn about the tools and buildings farmers once used.

“Rock Eagle has been special to so many people around the state and nation. A lot of these people want to see the facility continue,” Smith says. “I think the facility is going to get a new life to continue its mission.”