BRANDONVILLE — “Anytime you crack 100 is a good day,” WVU’s Preston County 4-H Extension Agent David Hartley said, as he looked over the green expanse of the Preston County 4-H Camp.
And 101 youngsters from the third through eighth grades attended last week’s younger camp. Sixty older campers went two weeks previously.
The attendance for younger camp was more than double last year’s 46 attendees. “That’s great is what that is,” Hartley said. Preston County has 14 4-H clubs.
Younger campers started their day with duties to keep camp and their cabins clean, followed by workshops and classes. After lunch, they had duties, then broke into small groups, assemblies and sports or swimming, then personal time.
Camper Emily Shillingburg, 12, said the pool was her favorite part of camp. The pool had to have a major overhaul before it could open this year. The Preston County Commission contributed $8,638 for the repairs, and Hartley said a lot of time and expertise was also donated.
It was the fourth year at camp for Carson Stone, also 12. He said “probably some of the activities and friends,” were his favorite part of camp.
“It never ceases to amaze me the family that gets created here,” Hartley said. “These 4-H friendships are around for years … and I think that’s one of the things that’s truly unique to our program, that we create those relationships.”
Teen leader Decklan Thomas, 17, can attest to that. Thomas is among 10 teen leaders who volunteered at camp. He got involved in 4-H by attending meetings since he was 4 years old with his mom and two older sisters.
“It’s just taught me how to make new friends,” Thomas said. “I went from being that shy kid to someone who will talk to anyone.”
Some adult volunteers at camp are former campers as well. For about six years Allen Davis has traveled from his home in Florida each year to volunteer at camp. This year he is teaching swimming.
Growing up in Terra Alta, he attended this same camp. Camps are regional in Florida, he said.
“I look at this as giving back,” Davis said. “I’m the next generation giving back, seeing how it’s changed and learning the new. I really enjoy it.”
Ryan Cool is another former 4-Her who now volunteers at camp. A Preston High science teacher by profession, he has taught air rifle and pistol safety and use for about seven years. The lessons include schooling on self discipline.
“The biggest thing I learned is to be a little bit better of a person,” Cool said of his time in 4-H.
Parents also volunteer at camp. Dave Cerbone grew up in southern California and was never involved in 4-H. In West Virginia, his son has been involved since third grade, and Cerbone taught photography last week at camp.
His son, “has learned how to be a leader,” through 4-H, Cerbone said. “He just loves being in 4-H. He loves his projects.”
All 4-H members must complete projects during the year. These can range from raising farm animals to learning about rockets.
“I think 4-H is a real nice organization. It’s very community oriented. It’s very skill oriented,” Cerbone said. “I like that 4-H is not set up to be competitive.”
Instead, he said, 4-Hers are in a cooperative environment where they help one another, teach one another and become friends.
Younger campers rotated through eight workshops: STEM, crafts, geocaching, swimming lessons, songs and traditions, photography, shooting sports and recreation/ team building.
For information on participating in 4-H in Preston County, call 304-329-1391.
