What better way to start 2025 than with growing your gardening knowledge! The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Volunteers have an amazing schedule of events planned for this year and here is a listing of what we have this January! January 27th- Monthly How-To Series: The Allure of Camellias &#8211; Learn about an amazing [&#8230;]

What better way to start 2025 than with growing your gardening knowledge! The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Volunteers have an amazing schedule of events planned for this year and here is a listing of what we have this January!
<figure id="attachment_2843" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2843" style="width: 201px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2025/01/009895-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-2843" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2025/01/009895-300x216.jpg" alt="" width="201" height="145" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2843" class="wp-caption-text">Camellia, pink flower, leaves.</figcaption></figure>
January 27th- Monthly How-To Series: The Allure of Camellias &#8211; Learn about an amazing Florida-Friendly Plant, the Camellia and how to grow them successfully in Northeast Florida. Free workshop from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm. For more information and to register, visit <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1115522099629?aff=oddtdtcreator">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1115522099629?aff=oddtdtcreator </a>
January 28th- Master Gardener Library Series: &#8220;How to Care for Your Holiday Plants&#8221; &#8211; Learn about how to care for holiday plants, both before and after in this great workshop taught by our volunteers. This is a free class from 6:00pm until 7:00pm held at the Middleburg Public Library (2245 Astor Ave, Middleburg, FL 32068).
While note in January, registration is also open for our annual &#8220;Day of Gardening Education&#8221;. This is a full day of workshops and classes on Friday, February 7th with topics covered including palms, shade gardens, great plants for Florida, cut flowers, pollinator gardening, propagation, garden myths, and more. For more information and to register, visit <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1118038295639?aff=oddtdtcreator">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1118038295639?aff=oddtdtcreator</a>   . Cost for this event is $20, refreshments are provided but please bring a bagged lunch.
Finally, our Master Gardener Volunteers are out and about helping people with their gardening questions at local events. See our volunteers early next month, on Sunday February 2nd at the Orange Park Farmers Market from 10am to 3pm. This is a free public event with vendors located at the Orange Park Town Hall at 2042 Park Ave in Orange Park, Florida (32073).
Here&#8217;s to a great January and keep an eye out for other blog posts highlighting monthly events, new webinars and workshops, and great gardening knowledge!
If you have any questions, please email whhobbs@ufl.edu or call (904)284-6355.

What better way to start 2025 than with growing your gardening knowledge! The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Volunteers have an amazing schedule of events planned for this year and here is a listing of what we have this January!
Camellia, pink flower, leaves.
January 27th- Monthly How-To Series: The Allure of Camellias – Learn about an amazing Florida-Friendly Plant, the Camellia and how to grow them successfully in Northeast Florida. Free workshop from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm. For more information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1115522099629?aff=oddtdtcreator 
January 28th- Master Gardener Library Series: “How to Care for Your Holiday Plants” – Learn about how to care for holiday plants, both before and after in this great workshop taught by our volunteers. This is a free class from 6:00pm until 7:00pm held at the Middleburg Public Library (2245 Astor Ave, Middleburg, FL 32068).
While note in January, registration is also open for our annual “Day of Gardening Education”. This is a full day of workshops and classes on Friday, February 7th with topics covered including palms, shade gardens, great plants for Florida, cut flowers, pollinator gardening, propagation, garden myths, and more. For more information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1118038295639?aff=oddtdtcreator   . Cost for this event is $20, refreshments are provided but please bring a bagged lunch.
Finally, our Master Gardener Volunteers are out and about helping people with their gardening questions at local events. See our volunteers early next month, on Sunday February 2nd at the Orange Park Farmers Market from 10am to 3pm. This is a free public event with vendors located at the Orange Park Town Hall at 2042 Park Ave in Orange Park, Florida (32073).
Here’s to a great January and keep an eye out for other blog posts highlighting monthly events, new webinars and workshops, and great gardening knowledge!
If you have any questions, please email whhobbs@ufl.edu or call (904)284-6355.

What better way to start 2025 than with growing your gardening knowledge! The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Volunteers have an amazing schedule of events planned for this year and here is a listing of what we have this January! January 27th- Monthly How-To Series: The Allure of Camellias – Learn about an amazing […]

UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Teaching Events- January 2025

Landed and Planted – a loblolly pine tree seedling that took a trip around the moon on the Artemis I mission found its new home at the UF IFAS Clay County Extension Office in Green Cove Springs, Florida.  The Clay County 4-H program, the Leaftastics 4-H club, and UF/IFAS Extension Clay County team planted an [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_2743" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2743" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/09/Leaftastics-Group-Picture.jpg"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="size-medium wp-image-2743 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Leaftastics 4-H Club helped plant the Artemis Moon Tree Seedling" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/09/Leaftastics-Group-Picture-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2743" class="wp-caption-text">Leaftastics 4-H Club helped plant the Artemis Moon Tree Seedling</figcaption></figure>
Landed and Planted – a loblolly pine tree seedling that took a trip around the moon on the Artemis I mission found its new home at the UF IFAS Clay County Extension Office in Green Cove Springs, Florida.  The Clay County 4-H program, the Leaftastics 4-H club, and UF/IFAS Extension Clay County team planted an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling that flew more than 270,000 miles from Earth around the Moon.  The Artemis Moon Tree Seedling joins the <a href="https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/around-the-moon-and-back-the-moon-tree-kitty-hawk-stuart-roosa-chairty-nature-environment,105611">Apollo 14 Moon Tree</a> planted just 30 minutes south in Keystone Heights, Florida, to become one of a handful of Florida counties to have two Moon Trees in their backyard.
4-H youth, a part of Leaftastics club, spent the morning of August 22 helping to plant the seedling.   Dr. Wayne Hobbs, Environmental Horticulture agent, and Amy Morie, the Leaftastics Club Leader &amp; Landscape Architect, talked to the youth about various topics.  Planting techniques, the importance of a seedling’s root system, the use of water bags, and measuring the seedling’s trunk diameter and tree height were all part of the lesson.
When asked about what the youths’ favorite parts about the planting experience was, Autumn, one of the Leaftastics 4-H members, shared “I liked being able to touch the tree!”
It’s excitement like Autumn’s and her fellow Leaftastics 4-H members that inspired Elaine Giles Simfukwe’s, Clay County 4-H STEM agent, to pursue an application with NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement and NASA’s Artifact Module to receive an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling.  The #moontrees program partnership is between NASA, the USDA Forest Service, and NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement.
<figure id="attachment_2779" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2779" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/09/Planting16.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-2779 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Leaftastics 4-H members listen to Dr. Wayne Hobbs &amp; Amy Morie about planting techniques and care for the Artemis Moon Tree Seedling." width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/09/Planting16-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2779" class="wp-caption-text">Leaftastics 4-H members listen to Dr. Wayne Hobbs &amp; Amy Morie about planting techniques and care for the Artemis Moon Tree Seedling.</figcaption></figure>
“I had heard about an opportunity to apply for a moon tree seedling from a workshop at the National Science Teaching Association in 2023.”  Simfukwe shared.  “I thought – we have an Apollo 14 Moon Tree already; it would be cool to educate our youth and our local community about both moon trees and how they are helping to inform our future with space travel?”
The Apollo 14 Moon Tree in Keystone Heights served as another inspiration to pursue an application for an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling.  The tree is an American Sycamore that was aboard the Apollo 14 mission on January 31, 1971.  Local nursery owner Bob Byrnes acquired the seed/tree from the University of Florida and had it dedicated in its current location adjacent of the Keystone Heights Library in 1984.  The Apollo 14 Moon Tree in Keystone Heights is one of about 100 accounted for in the United States.
After the publication of the initial story, Simfukwe learned about a third Moon Tree that was planted in Clay County.  Orange Park Elementary School was also awarded an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling that was planted at the school in June.  Now with three Moon Trees in Clay County, Simfukwe and Orange Park Elementary School have been discussing opportunities to expand Moon Tree education for all three Moon Trees in Clay County.  One of the immediate goals is to host a citizen science workshop about the moon trees that will have youth record tree height and trunk diameter.  Youth will submit their findings to the GLOBE observer app.  Citizen data input into this app help researchers with important current projects.  With Moon Trees specifically, researchers are looking at how these trees are helping to balance Earth’s carbon budget.  To be entered into the GLOBE Observer App, a tree should be a minimum of 5 meters, or a little over 16 feet ,high.  Right now, the Artemis Moon Tree seedling at the UF IFAS Extension Clay County Extension Office stands at a proud 30 inches.
<figure id="attachment_2781" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2781" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/09/Seedling4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-2781 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Artemis Moon Tree Seedling" width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/09/Seedling4-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2781" class="wp-caption-text">Artemis Moon Tree Seedling</figcaption></figure>
The Leaftastics 4-H Club will monitor the tree as part of their clubs’ project and measuring its heights regularly.  Youth who are interested in learning more about planting, gardening, and horticulture are invited to join the Leaftastics 4-H Club.  4-H Online Club Enrollment opens on September 3 at noon.
With NASA’s emphasis on inspiring the next generation about space exploration, Simfukwe hopes that science programs like these encourage youth to critically think about their roles as citizens and how they can be a part of solving agricultural and human challenges when it comes to living on the Moon and beyond.  Clay County 4-H and the University of Florida IFAS have already engaged in similar initiatives such as having a Clay County 4-H youth sending the <a href="https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/sjcdss-torkzads-experiment-headed-to-international-space-lab,61046">first 4-H science experiment</a> up to space abroad SpaceXCRS-27, <a href="https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/spaceplantslab/">UF Space Plants Lab</a>, and so much more.
Author’s note:  This story has been updated on September 10, 2024, with new information about the third Moon Tree in Clay County that is planted at Orange Park Elementary School.
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Leaftastics 4-H Club helped plant the Artemis Moon Tree Seedling
Landed and Planted – a loblolly pine tree seedling that took a trip around the moon on the Artemis I mission found its new home at the UF IFAS Clay County Extension Office in Green Cove Springs, Florida.  The Clay County 4-H program, the Leaftastics 4-H club, and UF/IFAS Extension Clay County team planted an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling that flew more than 270,000 miles from Earth around the Moon.  The Artemis Moon Tree Seedling joins the Apollo 14 Moon Tree planted just 30 minutes south in Keystone Heights, Florida, to become one of a handful of Florida counties to have two Moon Trees in their backyard.
4-H youth, a part of Leaftastics club, spent the morning of August 22 helping to plant the seedling.   Dr. Wayne Hobbs, Environmental Horticulture agent, and Amy Morie, the Leaftastics Club Leader & Landscape Architect, talked to the youth about various topics.  Planting techniques, the importance of a seedling’s root system, the use of water bags, and measuring the seedling’s trunk diameter and tree height were all part of the lesson.
When asked about what the youths’ favorite parts about the planting experience was, Autumn, one of the Leaftastics 4-H members, shared “I liked being able to touch the tree!”
It’s excitement like Autumn’s and her fellow Leaftastics 4-H members that inspired Elaine Giles Simfukwe’s, Clay County 4-H STEM agent, to pursue an application with NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement and NASA’s Artifact Module to receive an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling.  The #moontrees program partnership is between NASA, the USDA Forest Service, and NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement.
Leaftastics 4-H members listen to Dr. Wayne Hobbs & Amy Morie about planting techniques and care for the Artemis Moon Tree Seedling.
“I had heard about an opportunity to apply for a moon tree seedling from a workshop at the National Science Teaching Association in 2023.”  Simfukwe shared.  “I thought – we have an Apollo 14 Moon Tree already; it would be cool to educate our youth and our local community about both moon trees and how they are helping to inform our future with space travel?”
The Apollo 14 Moon Tree in Keystone Heights served as another inspiration to pursue an application for an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling.  The tree is an American Sycamore that was aboard the Apollo 14 mission on January 31, 1971.  Local nursery owner Bob Byrnes acquired the seed/tree from the University of Florida and had it dedicated in its current location adjacent of the Keystone Heights Library in 1984.  The Apollo 14 Moon Tree in Keystone Heights is one of about 100 accounted for in the United States.
After the publication of the initial story, Simfukwe learned about a third Moon Tree that was planted in Clay County.  Orange Park Elementary School was also awarded an Artemis Moon Tree Seedling that was planted at the school in June.  Now with three Moon Trees in Clay County, Simfukwe and Orange Park Elementary School have been discussing opportunities to expand Moon Tree education for all three Moon Trees in Clay County.  One of the immediate goals is to host a citizen science workshop about the moon trees that will have youth record tree height and trunk diameter.  Youth will submit their findings to the GLOBE observer app.  Citizen data input into this app help researchers with important current projects.  With Moon Trees specifically, researchers are looking at how these trees are helping to balance Earth’s carbon budget.  To be entered into the GLOBE Observer App, a tree should be a minimum of 5 meters, or a little over 16 feet ,high.  Right now, the Artemis Moon Tree seedling at the UF IFAS Extension Clay County Extension Office stands at a proud 30 inches.
Artemis Moon Tree Seedling
The Leaftastics 4-H Club will monitor the tree as part of their clubs’ project and measuring its heights regularly.  Youth who are interested in learning more about planting, gardening, and horticulture are invited to join the Leaftastics 4-H Club.  4-H Online Club Enrollment opens on September 3 at noon.
With NASA’s emphasis on inspiring the next generation about space exploration, Simfukwe hopes that science programs like these encourage youth to critically think about their roles as citizens and how they can be a part of solving agricultural and human challenges when it comes to living on the Moon and beyond.  Clay County 4-H and the University of Florida IFAS have already engaged in similar initiatives such as having a Clay County 4-H youth sending the first 4-H science experiment up to space abroad SpaceXCRS-27, UF Space Plants Lab, and so much more.
Author’s note:  This story has been updated on September 10, 2024, with new information about the third Moon Tree in Clay County that is planted at Orange Park Elementary School.

Landed and Planted – a loblolly pine tree seedling that took a trip around the moon on the Artemis I mission found its new home at the UF IFAS Clay County Extension Office in Green Cove Springs, Florida.  The Clay County 4-H program, the Leaftastics 4-H club, and UF/IFAS Extension Clay County team planted an […]

Landed and Planted!  Artemis Moon Tree Seedling Finds Home with Apollo 14 Moon Tree in Clay County, Florida

Eleven youth spent a week this summer coding and creating scenes from their favorite movies during 4-H Clay County’s Coding &#38; Creating Camp. Inspired by the belief that every youth can code and create, the camp was designed to allow youth to recreate a scene from their favorite childhood story by coding a robot, the [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_2635" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2635" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/Playing-with-Bolt2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-2635 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="4-H Campers coding the Sphero Bolt" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/Playing-with-Bolt2-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2635" class="wp-caption-text">4-H Campers coding the Sphero Bolt</figcaption></figure>
Eleven youth spent a week this summer coding and creating scenes from their favorite movies during 4-H Clay County’s Coding &amp; Creating Camp. Inspired by the belief that every youth can code and create, the camp was designed to allow youth to recreate a scene from their favorite childhood story by coding a robot, the Sphero Bolt, as the main character of the movie scene. Youth teams had to design a background set using materials such as cardboard, paint, hot glue, and fabric.  Then youth programmed their Sphero Bolt robot to move through the set. Additionally, each youth team created a 3D printed item using the Tinkercad platform or Thingiverse.
Camper Everleigh Cannarella shared, “I loved all things about camp and learning how to make a movie.  I really enjoyed 3D printing and coding the Bolt and games.”
The camp had positive results. 100% of the youth reported the camp gave them an opportunity to explore a spark that they really cared about and 75% reported a positive attitude increase toward STEM.
Luke Olson, one of our 4-H campers, shared, “Coding and creating camp was awesome! I loved that we got to go on field trips to see engineering in action and learn about 3D printing.”
<figure id="attachment_2641" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2641" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/MayoClinic1.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-2641 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="4-H campers listening to Mayo Clinic Engineers about which heart is a 3-D printed heart." width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/MayoClinic1-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2641" class="wp-caption-text">4-H campers listening to Mayo Clinic Engineers about which heart is a 3-D printed heart.</figcaption></figure>
As part of the camp, youth were able to learn more about careers in STEM. A visit to the Anatomic Modeling Unit and the Department of Engineering at the Mayo Clinic Florida demonstrated how 3D modeling is used in medicine. The campers saw different types of 3D printers and participated in a hands-on lab with the team.
Tia Olson shared in her son’s excitement and mentioned that the field trip to Mayo Clinic was one of her son’s favorite parts of the camp. “The Mayo Clinic was definitely a highlight of the week and being able to learn and utilize technology as creatives is such a gift and skill. Thank you for fostering that love and exposing these kids to so much good. As a parent I have a hard time balancing technology and wanting my kids not to be ‘glued to a screen,’ and after this week I have a supreme appreciation and new outlook on encouraging creativity through technology.”
In addition to the Mayo Clinic, youth visited the Apple Store at the St. Johns Town Center to learn how to code using Apple’s Swift Playgrounds programming language.  The youth learned how to code loops, if else statements, and for statements.
When asked what was the most important things that they learned during camp, 63% of the campers reported increasing their STEM content knowledge and 44% reported increasing their teamwork skills.
<figure id="attachment_2643" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2643" style="width: 225px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/AppleStore4.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-2643 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A 4-H campers coding with Swift Playgrounds." width="225" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/AppleStore4-225x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2643" class="wp-caption-text">A 4-H camper coding with Swift Playgrounds.</figcaption></figure>
Teen counselor Richie Marrero shared, “my experience being a Teen Counselor at this week’s Coding &amp; Creating camp was a blast! I enjoyed assisting Ms. Elaine with different tasks and helping the campers with the fun activities &amp; projects. I learned a lot about 3D Printing, valuable team-work skills, and a lot more.”
The camp is part of a series of programs being offered through the Florida 4-H STEAM Initiative with support from Apple. Clay County 4-H is excited to be part of this exciting initiative to empower youth with skills to thrive and excel in the workforce and careers of the future. As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple is providing Florida 4-H with the hardware, professional learning, and support to make camps like this possible.
<figure id="attachment_2631" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2631" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/AppleStore2.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-2631 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="4-H Campers at the Apple Store." width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/07/AppleStore2-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2631" class="wp-caption-text">4-H Campers at the Apple Store.</figcaption></figure>

4-H Campers coding the Sphero Bolt
Eleven youth spent a week this summer coding and creating scenes from their favorite movies during 4-H Clay County’s Coding & Creating Camp. Inspired by the belief that every youth can code and create, the camp was designed to allow youth to recreate a scene from their favorite childhood story by coding a robot, the Sphero Bolt, as the main character of the movie scene. Youth teams had to design a background set using materials such as cardboard, paint, hot glue, and fabric.  Then youth programmed their Sphero Bolt robot to move through the set. Additionally, each youth team created a 3D printed item using the Tinkercad platform or Thingiverse.
Camper Everleigh Cannarella shared, “I loved all things about camp and learning how to make a movie.  I really enjoyed 3D printing and coding the Bolt and games.”
The camp had positive results. 100% of the youth reported the camp gave them an opportunity to explore a spark that they really cared about and 75% reported a positive attitude increase toward STEM.
Luke Olson, one of our 4-H campers, shared, “Coding and creating camp was awesome! I loved that we got to go on field trips to see engineering in action and learn about 3D printing.”
4-H campers listening to Mayo Clinic Engineers about which heart is a 3-D printed heart.
As part of the camp, youth were able to learn more about careers in STEM. A visit to the Anatomic Modeling Unit and the Department of Engineering at the Mayo Clinic Florida demonstrated how 3D modeling is used in medicine. The campers saw different types of 3D printers and participated in a hands-on lab with the team.
Tia Olson shared in her son’s excitement and mentioned that the field trip to Mayo Clinic was one of her son’s favorite parts of the camp. “The Mayo Clinic was definitely a highlight of the week and being able to learn and utilize technology as creatives is such a gift and skill. Thank you for fostering that love and exposing these kids to so much good. As a parent I have a hard time balancing technology and wanting my kids not to be ‘glued to a screen,’ and after this week I have a supreme appreciation and new outlook on encouraging creativity through technology.”
In addition to the Mayo Clinic, youth visited the Apple Store at the St. Johns Town Center to learn how to code using Apple’s Swift Playgrounds programming language.  The youth learned how to code loops, if else statements, and for statements.
When asked what was the most important things that they learned during camp, 63% of the campers reported increasing their STEM content knowledge and 44% reported increasing their teamwork skills.
A 4-H camper coding with Swift Playgrounds.
Teen counselor Richie Marrero shared, “my experience being a Teen Counselor at this week’s Coding & Creating camp was a blast! I enjoyed assisting Ms. Elaine with different tasks and helping the campers with the fun activities & projects. I learned a lot about 3D Printing, valuable team-work skills, and a lot more.”
The camp is part of a series of programs being offered through the Florida 4-H STEAM Initiative with support from Apple. Clay County 4-H is excited to be part of this exciting initiative to empower youth with skills to thrive and excel in the workforce and careers of the future. As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple is providing Florida 4-H with the hardware, professional learning, and support to make camps like this possible.
4-H Campers at the Apple Store.

Eleven youth spent a week this summer coding and creating scenes from their favorite movies during 4-H Clay County’s Coding & Creating Camp. Inspired by the belief that every youth can code and create, the camp was designed to allow youth to recreate a scene from their favorite childhood story by coding a robot, the […]

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UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Teaching Events- January 2025

Landed and Planted! Artemis Moon Tree Seedling Finds Home with Apollo 14 Moon Tree in Clay County, Florida

iCanCode, iCanCreate, iCan – Camp Inspires Youth to Code and Create

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Clay County Soil and Water

UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Teaching Events- January 2025

Landed and Planted! Artemis Moon Tree Seedling Finds Home with Apollo 14 Moon Tree in Clay County, Florida

iCanCode, iCanCreate, iCan – Camp Inspires Youth to Code and Create