Youth Safety Camp Teaches Lifesaving Lessons
More than 20 Mississippi teens gathered at the Mississippi FFA Center in Raymond from July 21–23 for the 2025 MFBF Youth Safety Camp—an immersive, hands-on learning experience focused on protecting lives in rural communities.
Open to students entering grades 7–12 who are children or grandchildren of Farm Bureau members, the three-day camp combined serious safety instruction with outdoor fun, fellowship, and unforgettable real-life lessons.
From ATV operation and tractor safety to electrical awareness, distracted driving, and more, participants rotated through a packed schedule of demonstrations and discussions, all designed to keep them safer on the farm, on the road, and at home.
“The one thing we want to preach to these guys is to take the time to think about what you’re doing,” said Matt Hammons, MFBF Safety Coordinator. “Whether it’s hooking up a PTO, wearing a helmet, or putting on a seatbelt in a side-by-side, those small decisions make a huge difference. Growing up in rural Mississippi, it’s easy to become used to being around large equipment. That familiarity can be dangerous if we aren’t paying attention.”
Hammons said the camp is designed to be an “eye-opening experience” that students can take home and share with their families and communities.
“We try to stress that safety isn’t about fear—it’s about being mindful. If these students can walk away and apply just one or two things, or influence their younger siblings or friends to be more careful, that’s a win.”
Veteran camper Cooper Freeman, from Mize, said the camp is a powerful reminder of how easily things can go wrong—and how quickly.
“I like making new friends and learning how to be safer on the farm,” he said. “Just being out where we live, there is a lot of this stuff that hits home. I always make sure my brother is doing things safely around the farm too. I don’t want to end up like some of the people in the slides. I’d really rather keep all my limbs and all that right!”
Sessions like Fatal Vision—which simulates the dangers of drinking and driving—and distracted driving exercises using texting scenarios had a lasting impact on campers. But so did the opportunity to build relationships with like-minded peers.
Layla Carroll of Shannon, a second-year counselor and past camper, said watching students learn and grow is one of the best parts of the experience.
“You learn different things every time, and I enjoy watching over kids and seeing them learn and make new friends,” she said. “My grandfather was a farmer. He had a tractor wreck a few years ago, so I’ve seen some of this before. If you live on a farm, if you live in rural Mississippi, you need to hear this stuff.”
In between safety sessions, students had time to swim, play outdoor games, and enjoy summer camp traditions that made learning feel like fun.
As Mississippi’s agricultural communities continue to grow, Farm Bureau remains committed to preparing the next generation to stay safe and aware in all environments—on and off the farm.