Rainfall allows county to lift outside burn ban

CLAY COUNTY – Recent rainfall has helped ease the severe drought conditions in Clay County, and the burn ban has now been lifted. Conditions are expected to continue improving with upcoming weather.

However, only vegetative yard waste may be burned, and it must be done safely and in accordance with all Florida Forest Service Outdoor Burning Guidelines. Burning household garbage or other materials is not permitted at any time.

Please continue to use caution and help keep our community safe.

Register now for free online driver’s virtual education classes

CLAY COUNTY – The Clay County District Schools is offering free driver’s education courses, and it comes with an opportunity to earn a half-credit toward high school graduation.

Clay Virtual Academy is accepting signups now for Florida-approved courses for students in eighth-through-12^th grade to gain essential knowledge and skills for safe driving.

The fully online class has anytime access to fit a self-paced schedule and any summer plans. You can complete the course and take your license exam online for free.

You can enroll at bit.ly/CVADriverEdInstructions. If you have questions, call (904) 336-9875 or visit OneClay.net/CVA.

Clay County 4-H offering series of summer camps

CLAY COUNTY – Attending camp is often a significant milestone in a youth’s life. Camps allow youth to participate in hands-on activities, learn new things, meet new friends and meet caring adult mentors. Camps can help youth find community and light a spark for future engagement in 4-H or the community.

Clay County 4-H offers summer day camp programming to help youth explore sparks, engage in hands-on learning activities such as field trips, speakers, and more and meet youth with similar interests. All 4-H camps are led by Extension staff and trained Extension volunteers who want to give back to the next generation.

Camp offerings

Clay County 4-H is delighted to share its 2026 summer day camp offerings. Thanks to a generous gift from Waste Management and the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, many camps are free or at a reduced cost. If you see a camp that interests your youth, you can find more information about the camp and register at the link in the camp description.

If your child is new to 4-H and you need to set up a 4-H online profile, you can set up an account at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/clay/e. Camp ages are based off the youths’ age as of Sept. 1, 2025.

Camps are:

All About Animals and Ag

ClayCoAAACamp2026.4honline.com

Camp focus: agriculture and animals

Dates: June 15-19

Ages: 5-9

Cost: $100

Summer Snacks

ClayCoSummerSnacksCamp2026.4honline.com

Camp focus: cooking and baking

Date: June 25

Ages: 11-18

Cost: Free

Oh Sweet! Honey Bee Camp

ClayCoOhSweetHoneyBeeCamp26.4honline.com

Camp focus: honeybees and beekeeping

Date: June 26

Ages: 6-16

Cost: Free

Mini-Master Gardener Camp

ClayCoMMGCamp2026.4honline.com

Camp focus: plants, insects and gardening

Dates: June 29-30

Ages: 8-12

Cost: Free

Coding and Creating Camp

ClayCodingandCreatingCamp26.4honline.com

Camp focus: coding, AI and creativity

Dates: July 6-10

Ages: 10-14

Cost: Free

Hunter Safety Day Camp

ClayCoHunterSafetyDayCamp26.4honline.com

Camp focus: hunter safety

Dates: July 13-16

Ages: 12-18

Cost: Free

Level Up: The Game of Real Life Day Camp

ClayCoLevelUpCamp2026.4honline.com

Camp focus: money management and financial literacy

Dates: July 27-29

Ages: 13-18

Cost: Free

Honey Harvesting Honey Bee Camp

ClayCoHoneyHarvestingCamp2026.4honline.com

Camp focus: honey extraction and beekeeping

Date: July 31

Ages: 6-16

Cost: Free

UF/IFAS Extension Clay County offering free online gardening classes

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County Master Gardener Training program will offer a series of online classes this summer, including handling excessive heat with placement at noon on June 9, using mulch effectively at 11:30 a.m. on June 22, unique and usable herb gardens at noon on June 26, general interest meetings at 5 p.m. on July 7 and 23, Growing Peace: mindfulness in the garden at 11:30 a.m. on July 27, rain gardens and run-off at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, Florida’s forgotten plants at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, pruning for health, beauty and bloom at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 26, rethinking turf in Florida landscapes at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 and designing with Florida natives at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 14.

The free online training is open only to Clay County residents and is taught by Master Gardener volunteers. If you have any questions, please email whhobbs@ufl.edu or call (904) 284-6355.

To watch replays of the events, visit UF/IFAS Extension Clay County.com.

Freedom Truck will stop at Clay County Courthouse for USA 250 Celebration

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Freedom Truck will be at the USA 250 Celebration at the Clay County Courthouse on June 16 and 17.

There are only six trucks nationally, and they have been traveling throughout 2026, bringing the story of American independence to students, families and citizens in every corner of the country with interactive and inspiring content for visitors of all ages.

The exhibit tells the harrowing story of how 13 colonies declared independence, defeated the greatest empire in the world and secured American sovereignty 250 years ago.

The truck will arrive on June 15, and after setting up, visitors will be allowed to explore the exhibits. An opening ceremony is scheduled for June 16.

With engaging elements such as, “Are you a loyalist or patriot” quiz, a kiosk to sign your name digitally to the Declaration and a wall of 50 American heroes, these exhibits celebrate the remarkable achievements that 250 years have made possible.

THE PLAYERS taking applications for community grants through June 15

PONTE VEDRA BEACH – THE PLAYERS Championship is accepting applications for its annual Red Coats’ Community Grants Program, which provides funding to eligible nonprofits in Clay, Baker, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties.

The program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofits to support initiatives and projects that benefit the Northeast Florida community. Grants are awarded to organizations supporting youth services, education, character development, health, wellness, sports and military support.

“Northeast Florida is home to so many organizations making a positive impact, and we’re proud to support their efforts,” said Rusty Pritchett, Captain of the Red Coats. “The Red Coats are honored to help fund programs that improve lives and strengthen our community.”

Applications are being accepted at theplayers.com/community/grants until 11:59 p.m. on June 15. For complete guidelines, visit THE PLAYERS website.

More information about THE PLAYERS community initiatives can be found at THEPLAYERS.com/community.

It’s time to register new students for 2026-27 school year

CLAY COUNTY – Parents and guardians are encouraged to register new students, incoming kindergarteners, for the 2026-27 school year in advance. Students who will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026, should register for kindergarten.

The first step is to locate which school the student will attend. To do that, visit oneclay.net and click on the registration tab.

All students are required to have immunization documents, a birth certificate, a completed religious exemption form for school entry shots, a Florida physical and proof of residency, which includes a government-issued identification card, a copy of the property deed and settlement statement and one of the following: current utility, water, electric, cable gas, internet, cellphone or landline bill.

Renters must provide a signed lease agreement. Families that live with someone who rents or owns a home must provide a government-issued identification and a District-provided signed and notarized verification of residency.

Parents and guardians of new students also must complete a new student registration form found at oneclay.net/registration-and-enrollment.

Finally, all information should be emailed to the student’s new school. For a list of email addresses, visit oneclay.net/registration-and-enrollment.