Dive In

Ohio 4-H Sea Camp provides an up-close encounter with aquatic life

By Jenny Strickler
Photos Courtesy Of Jenny Strickler

Ohio 4-H Sea Camp is a 5-day camp held in July at Kelley’s Island 4-H Camp in the Lake Erie Islands in Ohio. This camp is held through partnerships of Ohio State University Extension and organizations that offer aquatic education and water recreation. Ohio 4-H Sea Camp offers young people ages 15 to 17 the opportunity to learn about aquatic science and experience a variety of recreational watersports on Lake Erie. Participants do not have to be members of 4-H to attend.

The mission of the camp is to offer teenagers an introduction to the Great Lakes through hands-on experiences in a variety of aquatic-based programs. In 2022, Sea Camp offered sessions in power boating led by representatives from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, lure making led by a camp staff member from Ohio 4-H Sea Grant, and waterfront orientation led by the Cleveland Metroparks park district. Campers also rotated through sessions on stand-up paddleboarding, jet skis, fishing techniques, aquatic science, and a fossil hunt led by the Ohio Geological Survey.

Highlights of camp are some of the special activities which include a chartered walleye fishing trip, a trip to Stone Lab research station, and a kayaking or sailing trip around the island. Campers also learn how to filet fish they catch and enjoy eating fresh walleye afterwards. Another exciting part of the experience is learning about the glacial grooves that are a historical asset to Kelley’s Island from a staff volunteer from the Ohio Geological Survey. Special permission was received to walk on the grooves due to construction around the site in 2022.

Objectives of the camp are to gain an understanding of safety applied to watercraft, sun, and open-water recreation, to explore a variety of potential career opportunities through learning from professionals in aquatic science, natural resources, and watersports, and to gain lifelong skills fostered through educational and recreational water-based activities, while developing lasting friendships and comradery with peers.

For more information, visit https://ohio4h.org/camp/sea-camp.

Jenny Strickler is the Extension Educator for 4-H Youth Development for the Ohio State University Extension, Coshocton County. Reach her at strickler.60@osu.edu.