On Thursday, May 2, countless stacks of bags containing Vidalia onions lined the dirt-laden arena. 4-H staff, including Lauren Boykin, 4-H County Extension Agent, were on hand to help furnish parents and families with their orders of the sweet and savory veggie.
Over 1,100 bags of onions were delivered and distributed. The bags, sold at a cost of $12 each for 10 lbs., directly benefits childrens' camp fees. $6 of every sale goes towards the deduction of the total cost of camp, which is $400 per camper.
4-H offers scholarships for kids who would like to attend camp but may not have the means to do so. 4-H welcomes donations and/or sponsorships from local businesses to fund the dreams of local children.
Boykin says between 4-H's two fundraising opportunities, Vidalia onions and the "Pick A Clover" campaign, they have raised over $14,000 that will go toward sending kids to Rock Eagle 4-H Center Summer Camp. Bulloch County 5th and 6th graders will attend camp from June 10th through June 14th.
Older kids can continue to experience 4-H camp. 7th and 8th graders go to Camp Burton on Tybee Island, and 9th through 12th graders stay at Camp Wahsega in Dahlonega. 4-H also offers the Senior Extreme Camp Wilderness Challenge and the Natural Resources Exploration Camp for grades seven through 12.
For more information, to donate, or to sponsor a camper, please email Lauren Boykin at lauren4h@uga.edu.