Lake County 4-H summer camp pitches healthy snacks, new fruits and veggies

Making healthy snacks, trying out new fruits and vegetables and learning first aid fundamentals are among the activities at the first 4H Health Rocks Summer Day Camp.

Fifteen kids, 5 to 7 years old, and three "teen teachers" are participating in the camp at the University of Illinois Extension office in Grayslake through Wednesday.

Part of what makes this three-day camp unique is the 4-H teens have been training as teachers and are working with one of the 4-H leaders to run the event. It's a new youth leadership initiative for the program, organizers said Tuesday.

The participating youth learned about nutrition, exercise, sports and yoga while mixing in a whole lot of fun, organizers said.

"The camp is intended to give kids something to do during the summer and help recruit more 4-H members. The teen teachers are learning leadership skills and helping younger kids learn," said teen teacher Maddie Currie, 16, Lake Zurich.

Fellow teen teacher Charlotte Roberts, 14, of Grayslake, said instructors are teaching kids about leadership skills and having a little of fun while learning about health skills they can use in life.

"It's been a real fun experience. I really like working with kids." said Roberts, who is a member of the teen leadership team in Lake and McHenry counties.