MORGANTOWN — Ed Hawkins wrote the book on Camp Muffly.
Literally.
The English major turned dentist is finalizing a nearly decade-long passion project to document a place he’s held dear since his first camp adventure as an 8-year-old boy.
He’s 76 today, or, as he describes it, “in overtime,” and as he’s dedicating the old camp’s past to the page, he’s also looking to its future.
On Friday, Hawkins was joined by Monongalia County Director of Parks and Recreation J.R. Petsko to announce the creation of the Monongalia County 4-H Youth Camp Commission, a nonprofit created solely to receive donations and trust money for the camp and raise funds on his behalf.
To understand the commission’s name, you need a little history.
The original Monongalia County 4-H Youth Camp, Inc. was the owner of the park when it was deeded to the Monongalia County Commission for $10 in 1976. That deed mandated that “providing and conducting a recreational camp for youth and youth services,” would remain the land’s primary use or ownership would revert back.
The body basically went dormant in 2013, following a major overhaul in park management and oversight initiated by the county commission.
It did so as the named beneficiary of three trusts from Ralph and Jane Thorn, owners of General Woodworking Company, to be paid upon the passing of the couple’s three daughters.
“This is a fiduciary responsibility that we have this money now and in the future that is going to be left to this named board. It needed to get its act together and get back on track,” Hawkins said. “Where was this money going to go if we don’t have a responsible group?”
So now, a decade later, it’s back with a 501(c)(3) status.
The commission’s initial lineup will include Hawkins, Kimberly Moyers, Ron Lytle, Bobby Doyle, Jacqui Sikora, Holly Webb, Dan Cheslock, Keith Myers and Bobbie Conklin.
To date, the body has about $135,000 in a money market account and $320,000 that remains in trust accounts. It’s ready and eager to accept tax deductible gifts.
Hawkins explained the sole purpose of the money is to support Camp Muffly.
It will do so hand-in-hand with the Monongalia County Commission.
According to the Youth Camp Commission bylaws, “All projects picked for support will require Monongalia County Commission support and will benefit the camp.”
In addition to being a lifelong supporter of 4-H and Camp Muffly, Hawkins is also a former county commissioner (2014-2020). He served with two sitting members of the commission. During his tenure, Petsko joined the county as superintendent of Mason-Dixon Historical Park.
“I’m a department of one. I have my staff at the parks, but for me to try to do a lot of things is very difficult. It’s very rare that you have an individual from the outside who is so motivated, with personal skin in the game and wants to help so much,” Petsko said. “It would be crazy to not want to work with Ed on this stuff. His motivation is to improve the park. That’s all I want to do.”
While Camp Muffly and its amenities are open to the public, there’s no question it is inexorably bonded to 4-H.
“The one thing about Camp Muffly, it’s always been a very special place for people – meaningful,” WVU 4-H Extension Agent Becca Fint-Clark said. “We just want it to be amazing for the kids who get to spend time there. We want to make sure our kids have a great place to spend the summer, make memories, meet friends and just have a great time.”
