My favorite part of the year is approaching quickly and that is summer.
One wonderful thing that Monongalia and surrounding counties offer is summer 4-H camp. 4-H camp is open to any youth interested; you do not have to be a 4-H member. 4-H camp is a safe environment staffed by trained and vetted adult volunteers.
Participants at camp take classes like archery, tie-dye, and outdoor cooking. Youth also have the opportunity to swim, play sports and games, make crafts, and attend various assemblies. This year the theme at Monongalia County Younger and Older 4-H Camp is “4-H the Beautiful” and the events and activities throughout the week will be centered around patriotism.
The 4-H camp is not the only camp for area youth. Camps can be located through various other groups and organizations in Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Taylor counties. Benefits of sending a child to camp are huge. Children who attend camps learn leadership skills, participate in character-building activities, and meet lifelong friends. Adults at camp serve as positive role models and work to teach the youth the importance of caring and fairness, which will hopefully follow youth throughout their lifetime. Volunteers who serve as camp staff at Monongalia County 4-H camps take part in camp-related training sessions that focus on positive youth development.
I am a lifelong 4-H member and had the opportunity to attend 4-H camp in Preston County since the time I was 9. I had fun and made lifelong friends.
Monongalia County offers three week-long 4-H summer camps — all held at Camp Muffly. Younger 4-H camp will be June 10-14 and is open to youth currently in 3rd through 6th grade. Older 4-H camp will be July 8-12 and is open to youth currently in 8th grade through age 21. Current 7th graders choose between older and younger camps, but may not attend both.
The Monongalia County 4-H program also offers a four-day non-residential camp for youth currently in kindergarten through 2nd grade, which will be June 18-21. For more details or a registration form, visit https://extension.wvu.edu/monongalia/4h or call the WVU Monongalia County Extension Office at 304-291-7201 or e-mail Becca.Fint-Clark@mail.wvu.edu.
Camps fill up quickly. and forms are processed on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested in attending 4-H camp in a different county, please contact your local WVU Extension Office.
