Clemson hosting water-based camps for youth in the Midlands

Published: March 14, 2012

image by: Clemson University

LEXINGTON — Clemson Extension and Carolina Clear are hosting two 4-H2O water-based science camps in June in the Midlands.

The Exploring Lake Murray camp is for youth ages 10-12 June 11-15 at the SCE&G Recreation Area at Lake Murray. Participants will tour the lake on pontoon boats, visit a water treatment plant, swim and learn about fishing, aquatic critters, wildlife, pollution and prevention. 

The cost is $100 prior to May 28 and $120 after May 28. The camp is hosted by the Lexington Countywide and Richland Countywide stormwater consortiums, SCE&G and the Lake Murray Association.

The Exploring the Congaree Watershed camp for 11- to 14-year-olds is June 25-29 at Harbison State Environmental Forest. The program is designed for older students and those who have completed the Exploring Lake Murray program (but this is not a requirement). Participants will canoe, hike, swim, visit Congaree National Park, learn to use a compass and study fish, aquatic insects, forestry and nature protection. 

The cost is $100 prior to June 11 and $120 after June 11. The camp is hosted by the Lexington Countywide and Richland Countywide stormwater consortiums, S.C. Forestry Commission and Congaree National Park.

For more information and to register, visit www.clemson.edu/extension/4H2O or call Mary Caflisch, 803-865-1216, ext. 122. Both camps are limited to 20 participants. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

At 4-H2O camps summer fun meets watershed science. Participants learn about local watersheds through maps, exploration by foot or boat; water quality testing and how to measure a water body’s health; and how people affect ecosystems.

This field-based 4-H2O program provides youth and young adults with knowledge about their water resources in a variety of ways, including field and analytical skills, and critical thinking.

Camp information:

4-H2O Exploring Lake Murray
Location: SCE&G Recreation Area at Lake MurrayDates: June 11-15
Times: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily
Ages: 10-12 years (class limited to 20 participants)
Fee: $100 (prior to May 28, $120 after May 28)

4-H2O Exploring the Congaree Watershed
Location: Harbison State Forest
Date: June 25-29
Time: 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
Ages: 11-14 (class limited to 20 participants)
Fee: $100 (prior to June 11, $120 after June 11)

The Lexington Countywide and Richland County stormwater consortiums are regional collaborations involving the Carolina Clear program in partnership with communities and educators from universities, state agencies and nonprofits.

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Carolina Clear
Carolina Clear is a stormwater education and awareness program of the Clemson University Restoration Institute and the Center for Watershed Excellence. The program’s goal is to minimize polluted stormwater runoff by educating the general public, youth, builders, developers, homeowners and government officials about how they can keep water in the state’s streams, rivers and basins as clean as possible.