This summer, Chester County 4-H - Penn State Extension will offer fun and educational activities for youths through its day camp program. Topics will include computer coding, exploring nature, rocketry and candy making. 4-H will also offer a babysitting training class.

A highlight of each of the classes is that all involve hands-on activities. "The candy making is generally the most popular camp, but the STEM camps are also getting popular," said Toni Stuetz, 4-H Extension educator. "(The camps) are all hands-on. Coding is less active, but they are definitely all learning by doing."

Python Day Camp will be held on Monday, June 17; Tuesday, June 18; and Thursday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Chester County 4-H - Penn State Extension office, 601 Westtown Road, Suite 370, West Chester. During the camp, open to youngsters age 8 and older, attendees will learn about Python coding and complete a project using the computer coding language.

Nature Rocks Day Camp will be offered for youths ages 8 to 15 on Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day at Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Road, Coatesville. During the week, youths will learn about the world of nature through activities such as hiking, fishing and arts and crafts. Participants will also learn about Pennsylvania aquatic pond and creek life, common birds and raptors found in the state and how to identify native plants and trees, as well as insects and arachnids.

The registration fee covers all materials for the camp activities and a daily snack. Participants are asked to bring a packed lunch, a water bottle and a fishing pole or net.

Out of This World 4-H Rocketry Camp will take place for youths age 8 and over on Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, from 2:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Lighthouse Youth Center, 245 Commerce St., Oxford.

Attendees will learn the fundamentals of rocketry such as lift, drag and other factors that affect rocket design. They will also be able to explore various models of rockets as well as build their own rockets using supplies found in their home and using rocket-making kits.

Youths ages 8 to 18 are invited to a Candy Making Day Camp that will be held on Friday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Chester County 4-H - Penn State Extension office.

Participants will learn various techniques on how to make candy and other sweet treats and will be able to take home samples of their work. Participants should bring a bagged lunch and are encouraged to bring an apron. All other supplies will be provided. Youngsters with food allergies should notify 4-H in advance of the class.

In addition, Chester County 4-H will offer a babysitting day camp to help prepare youths age 11 and over for the responsibilities of babysitting. The camp will be held on Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chester County 4-H - Penn State Extension office. Each participant will learn about the specific needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers; safety and basic first aid; and other topics related to caring for someone else's child or for themselves when they are home alone. Each participant will receive a babysitting certificate upon completing the program.

Registration is required for all of the classes and programs. Class size is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Youths who are not 4-H members will be asked to pay a one-time fee to join 4-H prior to registering for classes. "Penn State does require membership, so they can join once and are eligible to participate in all of the classes, camps and clubs at the member price," Stuetz explained.

Youths who are not currently 4-H members are asked to sign up for the program at https://4h.zsuite.org to pay the 4-H membership fee. Then, they can select Chester County Day Camps 2024 and will be able to register in a class or camp.

Current 4-H members can register by logging into ZSuite and choosing the camp they are interested in and paying the required fees.

Those with questions or people who need help registering may contact the Chester County 4-H - Penn State Extension office at ChesterExt@psu.edu or 610-696-3500.