For Randolph youth, sci-fi means ‘science of fibers’
Volunteer Jean Vollrath (right) helps a camper with his loom at Sci-Fi Camp.
Photo Courtesy Barb Dunn Swanson
When 4-H holds a Sci-Fi Camp, it’s not “science fiction” but “science of fibers.” 4-H members learned all about it during a week-long summer camp session in Randolph County, sponsored by North Carolina Cooperative Extension and taught by Susan Garkalns, family and consumer sciences agent, and Barb Dunn Swanson, 4-H agent.
Randolph County has a long, rich history of textiles, and many families in the area have been employed by the textile industry. Youth enrolled in this camp have the opportunity to learn new skills including weaving, knitting and basic information about fibers.
To get the camp started, youngsters were introduced to both natural and man-made fibers. Swatches of fabric, including linen, nylon, cotton, polyester, wool and rayon, were on exhibit and were also used in various experiments to learn about the fiber content of each.
The campers were even able to extract a fiber from a pineapple leaf. This was a difficult task that required softening the leaf in water and applying pressure to extract the fiber.
The Asheboro Police Department loaned a protective vest to show the different fabrics used to construct this heavy-duty garment. In addition, a scuba suit loaned by J. Cooper’s Scuba Center in Asheboro demonstrated how the neoprene fibers are appropriate for scuba diving.
Volunteer leaders Louella Caison, Rebecca Craven, Phyllis Holland, Ruth Powell and Jean Vollrath assisted with the camp. Caison loaned each participant an Inkle loom that each child learned to warp, or to prepare the loom to be woven. All learned that patience was one of the biggest requirements needed in weaving. Caison was an expert teacher, and each participant produced a weaving project.
Both Holland and Powell, retired schoolteachers, assisted the youth with the weaving, science experiments and demonstrations. Craven also assisted with the activities each day. Vollrath, an award-winning fiber artist and weaver who has made a name for herself in the industry, provided a tour of Hickory Mountain Weavery just east of Ramseur on the Chatham County line. Vollrath showed the participants several looms and the different ways they are operated, including a state-of-the-art computerized loom.
The camp also allowed each participant to think about career choices such as artist, designer, weaver, sewer, mechanic and engineer.
Randolph County has a long, rich history of textiles, and many families in the area have been employed by the textile industry. Youth enrolled in this camp have the opportunity to learn new skills including weaving, knitting and basic information about fibers.
To get the camp started, youngsters were introduced to both natural and man-made fibers. Swatches of fabric, including linen, nylon, cotton, polyester, wool and rayon, were on exhibit and were also used in various experiments to learn about the fiber content of each.
The campers were even able to extract a fiber from a pineapple leaf. This was a difficult task that required softening the leaf in water and applying pressure to extract the fiber.
The Asheboro Police Department loaned a protective vest to show the different fabrics used to construct this heavy-duty garment. In addition, a scuba suit loaned by J. Cooper’s Scuba Center in Asheboro demonstrated how the neoprene fibers are appropriate for scuba diving.
Volunteer leaders Louella Caison, Rebecca Craven, Phyllis Holland, Ruth Powell and Jean Vollrath assisted with the camp. Caison loaned each participant an Inkle loom that each child learned to warp, or to prepare the loom to be woven. All learned that patience was one of the biggest requirements needed in weaving. Caison was an expert teacher, and each participant produced a weaving project.
Both Holland and Powell, retired schoolteachers, assisted the youth with the weaving, science experiments and demonstrations. Craven also assisted with the activities each day. Vollrath, an award-winning fiber artist and weaver who has made a name for herself in the industry, provided a tour of Hickory Mountain Weavery just east of Ramseur on the Chatham County line. Vollrath showed the participants several looms and the different ways they are operated, including a state-of-the-art computerized loom.
The camp also allowed each participant to think about career choices such as artist, designer, weaver, sewer, mechanic and engineer.