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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" 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

Have you ever seen a palm tree make fruit? While dates may be the most famous fruit tree from palms, one great Florida-Friendly palm we have growing throughout much of the state should not be overlooked for your landscape or in a tasty cocktail. Try a Pindo Pindo palms (Butia odorata) can grow in most [&#8230;]

Have you ever seen a palm tree make fruit?
While dates may be the most famous fruit tree from palms, one great Florida-Friendly palm we have growing throughout much of the state should not be overlooked for your landscape or in a tasty cocktail.
<h3>Try a Pindo</h3>
Pindo palms (Butia odorata) can grow in most areas of Florida but does best in cooler zones of the state. This is a smaller palm and is a slow grower, reaching a height of 15-20’. This makes it a great candidate for home landscapes where larger palms would be out of place. The gray-green recurved leaves are very attractive, as are the patterns of the boots along the trunk. Plant this palm
<figure id="attachment_2723" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2723" style="width: 247px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/08/pindo_palm.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-2723 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="247" height="300" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/08/pindo_palm-247x300.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2723" class="wp-caption-text">Pindo Palm. UF/IFAS.</figcaption></figure>
in a full sun to partial shade in a wide range of soils including very dry or alkaline sites.
For care, pindo palms are remarkably disease and pest resistant and are known for being one the lowest maintenance palms for Florida. The only issue you may see, that is common among most palms, is potassium deficiency so applications of palm fertilizer 3-4 times per year is needed. For more information on this great landscape palm, check out <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST105">https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST105</a> or <a href="https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/palms-and-cycads/pindo-palm/">https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/palms-and-cycads/pindo-palm/</a> .
<h3>Pindo Fruit</h3>
One awesome feature of this palm is the yellow-orange colored fruit they produce annually. Being around the size of a large cherry, they are ripe when they turn a reddish orange and become somewhat soft. You will also notice that once they are ripe, many mammals, birds, and insects will show up to share in the bounty. Harvest when ripe and wash them to enjoy and peel the edible flesh away from the very tough inner stone.
The flesh of the fruit can be eaten raw, used to create jellies, or as I have found, make a delicious cocktail. To feature the pindo fruit in a cocktail, I created a flavored syrup by mixing equal parts sugar and water to create a basic simple and then steep this mixture at a low temperature with the flesh from several pindo fruits. I allowed this to sit for around a half hour but the longer you allow it to steep, the stronger the resulting flavor. Overall, the syrup has a flavor similar to a tart apricot and is very delicious. On my second trial of making it, I added in some cinnamon sticks and some cracked allspice to give some further complexity.
Below you will find a recipe for both the pindo syrup and the cocktail I created to use it, the Pindo Pindo. Happy Horticulture Happy Hour!
To find more horticulture and Extension educational materials and upcoming workshops including Horticulture Happy Hour mixology courses, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ClayCountyExt .
<h3>Pindo Syrup Recipe</h3>
Ingredients
<figure id="attachment_2727" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2727" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/08/Pindo-Syrup-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-2727 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="225" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/clayco/files/2024/08/Pindo-Syrup-300x225.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2727" class="wp-caption-text">Pindo palm syrup being made. UF/IFAS Photo by Wayne Hobbs.</figcaption></figure>
<ul>
<li>4 oz Sugar</li>
<li>4 oz Water</li>
<li>6-8 Ripe Pindo Fruits</li>
<li>Optional: Cinnamon, allspice, cloves, herbs, etc.</li>
</ul>
Directions
Heat water in saucepan or pot and add in sugar, stir continually until sugar is completely dissolved. Add in washed, ripe pindo fruits that are quartered and allow to steep. After a half hour more, transfer to bottle and stir in a refrigerator until use. Most flavored syrups will last around 3-4 weeks while refrigerated but adding a small amount of neutral spirit such as vodka, white rum, or
grain liquor can aid its longevity. Use the syrup in cocktails, flavored lemonades, ice water, or even on pastries.
<h3>Pindo Pindo Cocktail</h3>
Ingredients
<ul>
<li>1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice</li>
<li>1 oz Pindo Palm Syrup</li>
<li>0.25 oz Triple Sec or Dry Curacao</li>
<li>1.5 oz White Rum</li>
<li>1 Dash Bitters</li>
</ul>
Directions
Mix all ingredients in the above proportions into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until cocktail tin begins to frost and drink is chilled. Pour into rocks glass and top off with ice or strain into a coupe. Garnish with two pineapple leaves stuck vertically to simulate palm fronds.

Have you ever seen a palm tree make fruit?
While dates may be the most famous fruit tree from palms, one great Florida-Friendly palm we have growing throughout much of the state should not be overlooked for your landscape or in a tasty cocktail.
Try a Pindo
Pindo palms (Butia odorata) can grow in most areas of Florida but does best in cooler zones of the state. This is a smaller palm and is a slow grower, reaching a height of 15-20’. This makes it a great candidate for home landscapes where larger palms would be out of place. The gray-green recurved leaves are very attractive, as are the patterns of the boots along the trunk. Plant this palm
Pindo Palm. UF/IFAS.
in a full sun to partial shade in a wide range of soils including very dry or alkaline sites.
For care, pindo palms are remarkably disease and pest resistant and are known for being one the lowest maintenance palms for Florida. The only issue you may see, that is common among most palms, is potassium deficiency so applications of palm fertilizer 3-4 times per year is needed. For more information on this great landscape palm, check out https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST105 or https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/palms-and-cycads/pindo-palm/ .
Pindo Fruit
One awesome feature of this palm is the yellow-orange colored fruit they produce annually. Being around the size of a large cherry, they are ripe when they turn a reddish orange and become somewhat soft. You will also notice that once they are ripe, many mammals, birds, and insects will show up to share in the bounty. Harvest when ripe and wash them to enjoy and peel the edible flesh away from the very tough inner stone.
The flesh of the fruit can be eaten raw, used to create jellies, or as I have found, make a delicious cocktail. To feature the pindo fruit in a cocktail, I created a flavored syrup by mixing equal parts sugar and water to create a basic simple and then steep this mixture at a low temperature with the flesh from several pindo fruits. I allowed this to sit for around a half hour but the longer you allow it to steep, the stronger the resulting flavor. Overall, the syrup has a flavor similar to a tart apricot and is very delicious. On my second trial of making it, I added in some cinnamon sticks and some cracked allspice to give some further complexity.
Below you will find a recipe for both the pindo syrup and the cocktail I created to use it, the Pindo Pindo. Happy Horticulture Happy Hour!
To find more horticulture and Extension educational materials and upcoming workshops including Horticulture Happy Hour mixology courses, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ClayCountyExt .
Pindo Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
Pindo palm syrup being made. UF/IFAS Photo by Wayne Hobbs.

4 oz Sugar
4 oz Water
6-8 Ripe Pindo Fruits
Optional: Cinnamon, allspice, cloves, herbs, etc.
Directions
Heat water in saucepan or pot and add in sugar, stir continually until sugar is completely dissolved. Add in washed, ripe pindo fruits that are quartered and allow to steep. After a half hour more, transfer to bottle and stir in a refrigerator until use. Most flavored syrups will last around 3-4 weeks while refrigerated but adding a small amount of neutral spirit such as vodka, white rum, or
grain liquor can aid its longevity. Use the syrup in cocktails, flavored lemonades, ice water, or even on pastries.
Pindo Pindo Cocktail
Ingredients
1 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
1 oz Pindo Palm Syrup
0.25 oz Triple Sec or Dry Curacao
1.5 oz White Rum
1 Dash Bitters
Directions
Mix all ingredients in the above proportions into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until cocktail tin begins to frost and drink is chilled. Pour into rocks glass and top off with ice or strain into a coupe. Garnish with two pineapple leaves stuck vertically to simulate palm fronds.

Have you ever seen a palm tree make fruit? While dates may be the most famous fruit tree from palms, one great Florida-Friendly palm we have growing throughout much of the state should not be overlooked for your landscape or in a tasty cocktail. Try a Pindo Pindo palms (Butia odorata) can grow in most […]

Horticulture Happy Hour: Pindo Palm

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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