About Us
Arkansas 4-H Center Programs
Arkansas 4-H Center Programs deliver fun, educational programs for all ages and backgrounds. The 4-H Center’s natural beauty is the perfect place to learn environmental education, team building, leadership, camping, outdoor recreation and more from our University of Arkansas System facilitators. Keep scrolling to find the program that best fits your needs! The Arkansas 4-H Center, also known as the Vines Center, is located in central Arkansas in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.
Staff
Shannon Caldwell - 4-H Center Program Director
Shannon joined the 4-H Center Program team in 1998. Her bachelor's degree is in Elementary Education and her master's degree is in Rhetoric, Writing, & Communication. Shannon loves all things camp and nature related. She enjoys nature photography, international travel, being a Master Gardener, and walking at least 1 mile a day. Shannon brings two decades of Extension experience, logic, and an eye for detail to the program team.
Luke Nipper - ExCEL Leadership Program Coordinator
Luke has shared his talents with the team since 2006. Luke holds a bachelor's degree
from Ouachita Baptist and a master's degree, in Applied Communication, from UA Little
Rock. Luke has over 17 years of experience working in outdoor recreation and leadership
programs. Luke has been married to his wife, Christy, for 14 years and they have three
children. Luke's vast knowledge and experience, in high ropes courses, leadership
skills, and positive communication are an asset to the program team and each ExCEL
group.
Creenna Bocksnick - Arkansas 4-H Camp Coordinator
Creenna began her work with our programs in 2014 after several years of teaching Agriculture
Education. Creenna has her bachelor's and master's in Education from the University
of Arkansas. Fun Fact: Creenna grew up in 4-H and met her husband Jesse Bocksnick
(4-H Outdoors Skills Coordinator) during this time. Creenna serves as a national resource
for 4-H Camping and Environmental Education. Creenna adds camping expertise, creativity,
logic, and a passion for 4-H to the team.
Eric De Vries - Arkansas Outdoor School Coordinator
Eric spent 5 years facilitating ExCEL programs, the next 10 years with the Arkansas Game and Fish Education Division, then returned to our programs as the AOS coordinator in 2014. Eric holds a Political Science bachelor's, from Hendrix, and a master's in Public Administration from UA Little Rock. Eric grew up in Tanzania camping in the Serengeti. Eric has been married to his wife, Kristi, for 21 years and has three great kids. Eric provides programs with a lifetime of outdoor knowledge, a great sense of humor, and calm leadership in times of stress.
Mike Simmons - Summer Day Camp Coordinator
Mike has 25+ years of outdoor recreation and eduction experience and began working
with programs in 2008. Mike holds a bachelor's in Recreation Management from the University
of Montana. Mike, and his wife Rene, have four amazing kids. Mike's uncanny ability
to develop ideas, puns, and outdoor activities are a tremendous asset to our programs.
Taylor Knox - 4-H Center Programs Facilitator
Taylor began his career with programs in 2015. Taylor received his bachelor's in Science Education, from UCA, and his master's in Curriculum and Instruction, from UA Little Rock. Taylor grew up ten minutes from the 4-H Center and drove by it every day going to school. Taylor and his wife Darby have a fun energetic golden retriever named Chipper. Taylor adds a positive attitude, can-do spirit, and the ability to "see the big picture" to the program staff.
Jewell Miller - 4-H Center Programs Facilitator
Jewell joined the team in July 2019. Jewell holds a bachelor's degree in Family and
Consumer Science Education from UCA. Jewell loves camp and has years of experience
as both a camper and a camp counselor. Jewell is recently engaged to her fiancée Hunter!
Jewel's caring, empathy, and team spirit are a great addition to the program staff.
Phyllis Scurlock - Administrative Specialist
Phyllis joined Extension in 2015 and began working with programs in 2017. Her experiences range from commercial insurance agent to claims management to surety bond manager. Phyllis has an eye for efficiency, a spirit-lifting positivity, and a compassion for her team and the clients she works with.
Hannah McCoy - Administrative Specialist
Hannah began her Extension career as an administrative specialist in Faulkner County. Hannah joined our program team in 2019. She holds a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science from UCA. Hannah has 10+ years of diversified childcare experience with varying ages. She has been married to her husband Seth for three years. Hannah is forward thinking, technologically gifted, and has a talent for helping clients and staff feel welcomed and heard.
Meet the Staff Videos
