Across the nation, agricultural teenagers are packing up and heading off to summer camps to make friends, deepen their learning, and spend time outdoors. But at Georgia’s FFA-FCCLA Center, there’s more than your typical summer camp — and it’s not just the mud obstacle course.
The camp began in 1937 with 150 acres of land in Newton County on the bank of Lake Jackson southeast of Atlanta — the goal was to build a summer recreation camp for rural boys. By 1943, the camp had expanded through FFA funds and donations from the county, state, and even Eleanor Roosevelt to include an infirmary, dining hall, assembly halls, and cabins.
During construction and the years following, FFA and National Youth Administration students added their own special contributions to the camp, such as the oak tables still used in the dining hall, a fireplace built using rocks out of Lake Jackson, and an amphitheater memorial for former FFA members and advisors killed during World War II.
During the 1950s, Future Homemakers of America (FHA) members were invited to a joint camping program that proved so successful it became a permanent part of the camp. This arrangement continues today, as members of the Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), formerly the FHA, come to camp alongside FFA members.
The camp has grown to over 500 acres to accommodate a year-round educational center along with a variety of programs, including the Summer Leadership Camp, which hosts about 2,500 campers every year.
“We want camp to be a safe place where campers feel like they belong and there’s something for everybody,” said Russell Towns, the center’s camp manager.
With a craft shop, fishing pond, a giant slip and slide, mud obstacle course, horse barn, high ropes course, shooting range, and everyone’s favorite, a water trampoline known as “the blob,” there truly is something for everyone.
Although the center offers a variety of accommodations, campers are housed in bunk-style cabins that have been renovated to include heating and air conditioning. Throughout the day, students learn new skills such as fishing, horseback riding, zip-lining, and archery, while also having the opportunity to compete in classic sports such as volleyball, baseball, and softball. There are individual and team events for more unique sports such as shooting, boat racing, and obstacle courses, which quickly become camp favorites. After the competitions and activities are done for the day, campers attend assemblies to enjoy skits and games led by counselors, followed by a dance.
According to Towns, the heart of the camp goes beyond these amazing activities. FFA summer camps across the country are unique in that agriculture teachers come alongside their students for a week of fun and competition, providing an opportunity for teachers to build deeper relationships with their students.
“Our number one goal is to make that relationship where teachers can make life change happen,” he said. “With camps you have five days to connect with those kids; with ag teachers you have years.”
For Nelson McCracken, the center’s director of development and leadership, it was these connections with other students and agriculture teachers that made his own days as an FFA camper so special and led him to a career in agriculture education.
“The networking and connections, that’s what it was for me,” he said.
A lot of those connections happen on the first day, as oftentimes several chapters are housed together in a cabin, creating a unique opportunity for students to get to know other members from across the state.
Even though all the competitions and activities are fun in and of themselves, the camp is also designed to teach and develop essential leadership skills. At the beginning of the week, advisors choose team captains, and at the end of the week, the administration chooses a Leadership Team of the Week to honor the team that has shown the most leadership and teamwork in action.
For students who love camp but aren’t old enough to be on staff, the Leader in Training (LIT) program invites students to help run activities and serve alongside the staff for the week. Each team also selects an Outstanding Team Member at the end of the week to recognize those who have gone above and beyond to lead their fellow members.
Colquitt County FFA member and Area 5 Treasurer Caroline Howell said that it’s the leadership skills that make camp such a memorable experience. “When you’re learning something and having fun, it sticks with you because you’re tying it to a memory,” she said.
One of Howell’s favorite memories of camp was when she auditioned for the talent show with a recitation of the FFA creed.
“It was really out of the blue, I had never done anything like it before and I just decided to go for it,” she described.
Not only was she selected for the show, but she ended up winning it as well, which inspired her to continue her public speaking skills by competing in FFA’s public speaking Career Development Event and serving in FFA leadership as a chapter and area officer.
“Camp is really something special because you’ll meet people and learn things that will last you a lifetime,” she said.
Kate Walker is a student at Georgia College and State University. Originally from Watkinsville, Georgia, she has a passion for writing and all things agriculture.
