UGA Cooperative Extension: Georgia 4-H

Jekyll Island 4-H Center:
25th Anniversary Celebration

25 Things Everyone Should Know About the Jekyll Island 4-H Center

1. Who operates the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
   University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Cooperative Extension


2. What happens at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
   • Environmental Education (EE) programs focusing on marine science and coastal ecology are conducted from Sept. - May for school groups
   • Summer 4-H camps are conducted during June and July for school aged children and are made available through county extension offices
   • Other youth based groups including 4-H clubs, athletic teams, and church groups use the facilities throughout the year


3. Is there anything available for the general public at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
   Tidelands Nature Center, located approximately 2 miles from the 4-H Center on the Intracoastal Waterway, is operated by the University of Georgia 4-H Program and is open to the public


4. When was the 4-H Center on Jekyll Island established?
   • The first summer of 4-H Camp took place in 1983
   • The first EE programs occurred in 1987
   • Tidelands Nature Center opened in 2000


5. Where is the Jekyll Island 4-H Center located?
   • The 4-H Center is situated 13 miles from Brunswick on the south end of Jekyll Island
   • The center is beachfront and is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the maritime forest


6. How many people are employed by the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
   A total of 27 people (13 regular full-time employees and up to 14 part-time seasonal employees)


7. How many people have been served by the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
   • Since it's inception, over 176,000 people have participated in EE programs, over 93,000 have visited Tidelands Nature Center, and over 25,000 have participated in 4-H summer camp programs.
   • Annually, approximately 11,000 people participate in environmental education programs, another approximately 1200 in summer camp programs, and approximately 18,000 at Tidelands.


8. What is the annual operating budget of Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
   Approximately $1 million


9. How are the funds for the Jekyll Island 4-H Center generated?
   Less than 2% of the operating budget is paid from state appropriated dollars, the remainder is received from fees generated by 4-H members and school students who attend programs at the 4-H Center


10. Where do groups stay while visiting the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
    • Groups stay in our climate-controlled dormitory units
    • They eat well-balanced meals in our dining hall
    • Over the last 3 years, Georgia 4-H has invested $2.5 million in renovations and improvements to the dormitory and dining hall facilities


11. What is the capacity of the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
    Capacity is approximately 220 people for lodging and dining accommodations


12. Why do school groups visit Jekyll Island 4-H Center for EE programs?
    • Groups participate in 4-H Center's field studies to enhance and enrich their curriculum
    • Many of the visiting students have never seen an ocean, so 4-H Center's programs provides rich opportunities to introduce students to the important Georgia coastal habitat
    • Our programs are interdisciplinary in nature and our hands-on education programs incorporate math, science, history, and writing
    • Our programs promote social skills and cooperation between peers and teachers


13. What is a typical EE field study at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
    For our traditional, 3 day/2 night "lunch to lunch" program, visiting groups receive 2 nights of lodging, 7 meals, and 12 education programs (8 day and 4 evening) for a fee of $89 (2007-08 school year rate)


14. What types of classes are taught at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
    • All residential EE groups take our core classes: beach ecology, marsh ecology, maritime forest ecology
    • Teachers also select electives to round out their field study and best complement the curriculum being taught in the local classroom; teachers choose from the 4-H center's day elective classes: dock study, slough study, herpetology, ornithology, north end study, orienteering, plankton, sand lab/beach profile, seining and nets; and also from the evening elective classes: sea turtles, marine mammals, hurricanes, astronomy, sharks, endangered species, environmental issues, fish kits, water thick and thin, and night walk.


15. Where are the EE classes taught at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center?
    • The majority of our classes are taught outdoors in nature's classroom
    • Almost every class takes place on location at the Jekyll Island 4-H Center because of our location on the south end of the island and beachfront access
    • Children easily walk from the center to the forest and beach where multiple classes are taught promoting physical education and healthy lifestyles
    • Also, the 4-H Center's location on the less-populated south end allows classes to be conducted safely and without disturbing the residents or tourists on the island


16. How do the Jekyll Island 4-H Center programs affect the island?
    • Many of our visiting groups elect to take a boat tour using boats leaving from the Jekyll Wharf Marina, historic district tours leaving from the Jekyll Island Museum, and bike rides using bikes from Jekyll Island vendors
    • Additionally, many families will return to Jekyll Island for vacation visits as a result of having been introduced to it's natural wonders and beauty through 4-H Center's programming


17. Are the Jekyll Island 4-H Center EE programs aligned with state standards?
    Yes, all of the programs are aligned with the current Georgia Performance Standards and students participating in 4-H Center EE field studies are considered on task


18. What grade levels participate in Jekyll Island 4-H Center EE programs?
    Kindergarten through 12th grade


19. Where do schools come from to participate in the Jekyll Island 4-H Center EE programs?
    • Most of the schools are public and private schools from all over Georgia
    • Schools from South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama (and even Missouri) have utilized the 4-H Center's programs


20. What are some of the biggest impacts the Jekyll Island 4-H Center programs may have on students?
    The opportunities to see the ocean for the first time, see constellations without impediments like light pollution or physical barriers, see a sea turtle nest, watch a flock of migratory birds, pull a net in the Atlantic ocean to sample for benthic animals, climb a several hundred year old live oak tree, hold a native snake, sample the river for invertebrates, visit a shipwreck on the beach, learn about marine science and coastal ecology by actually experiencing it!


21. Who participates in Jekyll Island 4-H summer camp programs?
    4-H members from across Georgia


22. What do campers do in Jekyll Island 4-H summer camp programs?
    • 4-H members participate in a variety of outdoor activities including many of the environmental education classes
    • 4-H members also visit Summer Waves Water Park, visit St. Simons Island for a picnic and shopping, enjoy beach swims, have dances, and participate in other camp games and activities


23. What can visitors do at Tidelands Nature Center?
    Visitors can view local animals and exhibits, rent canoes and paddleboats, go on guided nature hikes, go on a self-guided nature trail, or go on a guided kayak tour


24. What kinds of animals can be seen at Tidelands Nature Center?
    Alligators, sea turtle, fish, nurse shark, gopher tortoises, crabs, terrapins, and snakes


25. Are there other 4-H Centers in Georgia?
    Yes, Rock Eagle 4-H Center is in Eatonton, Wahsega 4-H Center is in Dahlonega, Fortson 4-H Center is in Hampton, and Burton 4-H Center is on Tybee Island