Planting seeds for educational growth

Future leaders of tomorrow gathered in Biloxi today for this year’s 4H Spring Break Day camp at the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center.

News 25’s Toni Miles takes us behind the scenes as Harrison County students use sodas, jump rope and butter to share and learn lessons they can carry with them throughout their lives at the 4H Smart Day Camp.

William Carnes wants to be a preacher and gardener one day. This year’s 4H Youth Spring Break Day Camp was a good training ground as the seventh grader planted seeds for healthy living with other students. Instead of a pulpit, Carnes was behind a table, showing other 4H spring break campers just how much sugar is in a typical can of soda, a lesson you’d be hard pressed to find playing video games on break. “You don’t want to just be at home watching TV or on an iPad. You’re not doing anything to gain knowledge, but play video games. We want to do stuff that will help you be healthy and fit.”

A fun-filled message that camp leaders hope will spread. Alcorn State University Youth Specialist Manola Erby said, “In Mississippi, we have an obesity problem. We want to start with the young people to help address the issue. We get the kids involved and they take the information home. They take it to the family and get everyone involved.”

Indoors, the kids could barely contain their excitement as they learned about the environment and ways to protect it. Harrison County 4H Agent and County Coordinator Sheran Watkins said, “They’re learning healthy choices, to just take and reinforce it. They’re also having fun doing arts and crafts activities, of learning about the environment and learning how to keep our Coast clean. 4H Smart is about environmental health as well as our physical health.”

4H camp sponsors and organizers believe this one day filled with smart healthy habits workshops will be something these young ones carry with them as they continue to grow. United Healthcare Outreach Specialist Kelsey Holleman said, “Well, you know United Healthcare’s mission is to help people live healthier lives. Whenever we can get out in front of kids to help them make healthier life decisions, help them learn how to eat healthier, help them exercise more, those are the types of things that will prevent a lot of illnesses down the road and keeping them healthier in the long run.”