NEWS

Students who have completed kindergarten through sixth grades are eligible to participate in a summertime agricultural camp held at Louisiana Tech.

Dr. Gary Kennedy, professor and head of the department of agricultural sciences, said the idea for the camp came a few years ago at the AG Expo in Monroe when a junior high student came up to him and did not realize that cheese came from cows.

“I explained how we milk our own cows at Tech and make products such as fluid milk, ice cream, butter and cheese,” Kennedy said. “When the young lady heard me say that, her eyes became very large, she spat out the cheese she was eating, made a terrible face and said, ‘You mean that came from a cow?'”

Kennedy said he realized youth need to learn about agricultural sciences.

“Over time, our society has become more and more removed from agriculture and a basic understanding of how agriculture is related to our food,” he said. “As time goes on, being removed from agriculture applies to more and more of our population.”

The camp, which is open to children in kindergarten through sixth grade, will teach participants how agriculture affects everyday living. The June 1-5 day camp, “Getting Down on the Farm,” will explore agriculture and ways to look at the fruits of farming. The camp will feature trips to Tech Farm and other activities.

The camp is $140 per child after May 22, which includes supplies, use of the Natatorium and Planetarium, along with one IDEA Place Summer Science Institute T-shirt.
Campers will need to bring a sack lunch daily, or one will be provided for them
for a fee of $15 per week $3 per day. For more information, call Lindsey Keith-Vincent at The Idea Place at (318) 257-2866.

Written by Judith Roberts