PHOTOS: 4-H Camp Goes to the Fair

Did you know that some species of chickens lay blue or green eggs, but they taste the same as the white ones you buy at the grocery store? Did you know there are 47 different species of rabbits recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association? Or that some goats are raised for meat and others for dairy?

These are just some of the things the nearly 200 4-H campers learned during their week at the fair.

The 4-H camp, which is the youth component of Virginia Cooperative Extension-Prince William,  is held at the Prince William County fairgrounds every year at the same time the fair is in town, providing a unique and engaging experience.

The group, which is managed by 74 camp counselors and over 20 adult and teenage volunteers, learned about agriculture from a VCE-Prince William master gardener and Jay Yankey, a representative with the Prince William County Soil and Water Conservation District, which helps farmers with natural resource issues on their farm.

"Soil anchors everything from planting to buildings," Yankey told the campers. He said that is why the Conservation District takes samples of soil using a soil probe that they send down to a lab at Virginia Tech to see what that soil  is made up of.

This helps the farmers know if they need to add fertilizer to their soil to help the crops grow.

Yankey said it is important to know exactly how much fertilizer you need because if you use too much it can end up in the local waterways, killing off fish and other important water life.

Kids also enjoyed making crafts and attending some of the fair's shows, including the No Joes Clown Show, during their time at camp.

The theme of this year's camp was '4-H Hoedown Throwdown,' and kids enjoyed learning a country music-style dance all week to perform for their parents.

 Linda King, 4-H Extension Agent and Program Director, said summer camp registration begins in May and available spots filled up in just two hours this year.

"I had to turn people away,"  King said.

The camp goes from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and costs $60, which includes snacks.

Prince William 4-H also has community clubs, after-school programs, and participates in school enrichment. For more information about Prince William 4-H, vist here.

For more information about the Prince William County fair, which ends Sunday,  .