OKEECHOBEE – The Okeechobee County Extension Office’s popular summer camps are back.

These educational week-long day camps have been an annual tradition for youngsters age 8 and older. High school students who attended the camps in elementary or middle school often serve as teen counselors.

Last summer, the camps had to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) approved the camps with some added precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus.

4-H Extension Agent Paula Daniel said there will be fewer campers per week in order to provide more space between campers. Most of the camps include a lot of outdoor venues which also allow for more spacing.

The H2O camp weeks are already full, she explained. Spots are still available for History Camp, Horse Camp, Ag Camp and Shooting Sports Camp.

• Trek Through Florida, Adventures in History Day Camp: Campers have their choice of June 14-18 or June 28-July 2. Some days they must bring a lunch. Other days they can purchase a lunch at the venue. Campers will visit the Pearce Lockett Estate in Highlands County; the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach; Solomon’s Castle in Ona; the Navy Seal Museum and Pepper Park Beach in Fort Pierce; and, the Kennedy Space Center in Melbourne. This camp is open to all youth ages 8-18.

• Agriculture Awareness Day Camp: At Ag Camp, set for June 28-July 2, campers will explore the agricultural industry through hands on learning. Participants will visit local dairy, beef, and apiary operations as well as cook local agricultural products and explore the natural resources of Okeechobee County. This camp is open to all youth ages 8-18.

• Horse Day Camp: Campers must bring their own horses to Horse Camp, set for June 21-25. This is a day camp. Stalls will be available for the horses to stay on the site for the week, but campers go home at night. Campers are provided riding and lesson time in the saddle. Campers experience horse activities geared toward developing riders. This camp is open to all youth ages 8-18. Campers should be able to tack up their own horses with minimal assistance.

• Shooting Sports & Conservation Day Camp: This camp, set for July 12-16, teaches conservation and ecology practices through field trips and hands on activities. Open to all youth ages 10-18 as of Sept. 1, 2020.

Camps are open to all Okeechobee County residents. Membership in a 4-H club is not required.

For camp applications or more information, visit the Okeechobee County Extension Office, call 863-763-6469, or go online to https://www.co.okeechobee.fl.us/departments/okeechobee-extension-services/4-h-summer-camps. Camp fee is $150 and includes bus transportation as well as all entry fees to attractions and venues.