Hey everyone! It’s Meredith here, and I’m getting everything ready to leave for Alpha II tomorrow. I wish my clothes would just pack themselves and that it would be noon tomorrow and we would be heading down the road to the Mill.

People always ask whether I like OMC or Alpha better and honestly I couldn’t tell you. They are so different in so many ways but they also both have the great 4-H traditions that I love. One thing that OMC doesn’t have and one of my favorite parts of Alpha is ‘Grow Groups’.

Alright, since you probably have no idea what I’m talking about, I can fill you in. On Monday of camp, we have an assembly where we are sorted into all the different age groups, from 13 year olds to 21 year olds. Once you’re in your age groups, you are separated into smaller groups, each one with a leader. That is your ‘Grow Group’. A ‘Grow Group’ has about 10-15 other campers, boys and girls, your age that you will be spending a lot of time during the week with. I think it is one of the best things we do at camp. It’s a great way to meet others your age that will be in 4-H with you through all the years. During ‘Grow Groups’, you will play lots of games and do fun activities. Each ‘Grow Group’ will have a Big Foot (staff member) who will be there to lead activities and get some fun going. One word of advice is just to be open. Grow Groups are fun, friendly and fantastic and you will get out of it, whatever you put into it.

Another special thing that we do at Alpha are LEOS. LEOS stand for Leisure Experience Opportunities. In other words, pretty much anything you can imagine that you would do for fun is available. From ultimate frisbee to making crafts to playing board games, it’s all there and lotsss of fun!

There are so many other things I am excited about for camp but it’s getting late and I need to get to bed so I’m rested up for the first day tomorrow [= I hope everyone that’s coming has a wonderful week and those of you reading this that aren’t going to be able to be there this week, will keep reading the blog and consider making Alpha II part of your schedule next year.

4-H is an experience that you’ll never understand until you do it yourself, and once you do you’ll be coming back every year [=

Night guys! Meredith