This summer Cherokee County 4-H and Cherokee County 21st Century Community Learning Centers partnered to provide programs for the students enrolled in the program.  21st Century Community Learning Centers had 3 sites for their summer program: Ranger/Hiwassee Dam on Mondays, Andrews on Wednesdays, and Murphy on Fridays. 4-H provided the same program to each of the sites at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Education Room at Konateeta Park.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center director, Dav Ann Hubbard, wanted to focus on getting the students outside and away from electronic devices as much as possible during the summer program.  Students participated in Aquatic Wild and Project Wild activities.  Lessons were focused on teaching students about limiting factors on wildlife and aquatic populations.

Students learned about the struggles of the Pacific Salmon, how plastics have created environmental problems, especially in our oceans and freshwater resources, they learned about the importance of the predator and prey relationship, and what happens when there is an overpopulation of one species of wildlife in an area.

As a fun last day for each of the sites, the students got to fish with some students catching their very first fish.  Unfortunately, not all students caught a fish but they all at least go to wet a line some for the first time ever!

To learn more about 4-H in Cherokee County and the programs we offer please contact Shannon Coleman, by email at, shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu, or call (828)837-2210 ext. 4.