The Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island, Georgia celebrated 75 years of operation in November 2021. The center, one of six in the state, provides a place for environmental education and youth development. In the early 2000s, the Georgia 4-H Center on Tybee Island needed extensive renovations after 57 years of weather and heavy use. Maxine and Bob Burton, 4-H alumni and avid supporters, offered assistance with a donation to the Georgia 4-H Foundation to prevent the closure of the facility.

Source: Press Release Burton & Burton

Burton 4-H Center Celebrates 75 Years

Bogart, GA (December 15, 2021)

The Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island, Georgia celebrated 75 years of operation in November 2021. The center, one of six in the state, provides a place for environmental education and youth development. Since the program began 33 years ago, the Burton 4-H Center has seen 187,000 individuals participate in environmental education programs, and at least 40,000 students have enjoyed immersive weeks during that time. Due to the center’s unique location adjacent to a tidal creek surrounded by marsh, visitors and campers have the unique opportunity to experience the salt marsh and beach ecosystems that are a key part of Georgia’s barrier islands. Attendees leave the center with an understanding of how their communities impact these ecosystems.

In the early 2000s, the Georgia 4-H Center on Tybee Island needed extensive renovations after 57 years of weather and heavy use. Maxine and Bob Burton, 4-H alumni and avid supporters, offered assistance with a donation to the Georgia 4-H Foundation to prevent the closure of the facility. Their gift helped underwrite such major items as electrical upgrades, new floors and wall coverings for cabins, renovation and expansion of the dining hall, improved teaching facilities, and equipment for the environmental education program. In appreciation of this generosity, the Georgia 4-H Foundation named the Tybee Island Center in honor of the Burtons in 2004.

In 2019, Maxine and Bob Burton received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia 4-H Foundation. The Burtons’ ties to 4-H date back to their childhoods. Growing up, Maxine was involved in 4-H in Forsyth County and participated in camps at Rock Eagle, Wahsega, and Tybee Island. Bob was a Master Gwinnett County 4-Her, active in judging events and competitions, attended summer camp at Rock Eagle, and was a counselor at Rock Eagle and Tybee Island Summer Camp while attending the University of Georgia.

Maxine Burton, founder and president of burton + BURTON, said, “4-H has always played a significant role in my life, and to be able to continue supporting a center that serves and educates thousands of students and adults each year is an incredible honor. Bob and I are incredibly proud to be a part of 4-H and make a positive impact in so many lives.”

Bob Burton, COO of burton + BURTON, said, “The Burton 4-H center has created a place for campers from all over the state to come together and ultimately form a common bond as they get to know one another and share experiences. The success of the center is made possible by the dedicated support staff. With their hard work, thousands of students and adults are given an opportunity to experience hands-on education and programs that will leave a positive impact.”

About burton + BURTON

Founded in 1982, burton + BURTON® is a family-owned and -operated business that has grown into the largest wholesale distributor of balloons and coordinating gift products in the world. In addition to its showroom at the corporate headquarters in Bogart, Georgia, the company also maintains permanent showrooms at AmericasMart® Atlanta, Dallas Market Center, and Las Vegas Market.