The school year is winding down and summer camp is approaching. Camp is an excellent expanded-learning environment that provides children with the opportunity to connect with nature, participate in human-powered activities and benefit from personal and primary relationships.

This year, youth from Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe and Schuylkill counties are invited to participate in the experience of 4-H Zooming into History Camp. Youth ages 5-18, as of Jan. 1, may attend.

The 4-H camp will have a two-part series this summer, with June 12 kicking it off with an in-person session at 4-H Camp Shehaqua in Hickory Run State Park, White Haven. Here, campers will spend a day in the state park learning games, songs, arts and crafts and participate in the evening campfire and campfire ceremony.

The second part, planned 10-11:30 a.m. June 21-25, will be held in a virtual format with campers receiving themed activities and supplies in the mail. Here, campers will “zoom into history” as they learn about life in the early 1800s. There will be interactive workshops on animals and their uses, preserving food and use of natural items in everyday life, including making a beeswax candle.

Registration is due May 14 at extension.psu.edu/4-h/history-camp.

The cost is $40 for 4-H members and covers the cost of supplies and activities for the two-part series. Non-4-H members will be directed to register as a 4-H member and pay the educational resources fee during the registration process.

If you are interested in this affordable camping experience for your child, register online or contact the Lehigh County 4-H office at 610-391-9840 or lehighext@psu.edu.

Many educational and fun activities are offered by 4-H. In Pennsylvania, 4-H is coordinated by Penn State Extension through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 4-H programs are open to all youths regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability.

For more information about the camp or other 4-H activities, call the 4-H office at 610-391-9840.

4-H is a community of more than six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Penn State Extension 4-H youth development educators in all 67 counties throughout the commonwealth administer local 4-H programs through nonformal education and outreach.

To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at extension.psu.edu/4-H.