Just like many other Ohio 4-H county programs, Adventure Central in Dayton offered a virtual summer camp to their youth. Adventure Central is a partnership among Five Rivers MetroParks, The Ohio State University Extension and 4-H Youth Development.
Staff members developed a six-week program full of fun and exciting STEM-focused activities delivered via Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday. Participating youth also received their very own Summer Adventure Science Kit. Each kit contained materials for all the Zoom-based activities, such as “Bread in a Bag,” “How to Make Veggie Ink” and the very popular “Exploding Lunch Bag.” The camaraderie experienced at summer camp was maintained with starting each day with the 4-H pledge and ending it with a loud camp song. 62 youth participated in the program.
Adventure Central’s positive youth development partnership is based on a proven model of long-term commitment and high-touch experiences, integrated with 
opportunities to connect with nature. The result is both an eagerness and confidence to explore life’s possibilities, by building trusting and positive relationships with caring adults for the purpose of connecting youth and their parents with nature.