Tag: 4H Camps

WVU Extension Camps Offer Summer Activities For All Ages

There are countless opportunities for youth throughout the state to attend summer camp, from statewide to specialty county camps, and everyone is welcome. 

Youth from across the state are headed to West Virginia state 4-H camps this summer. 

There are countless opportunities for youth throughout the state to attend summer camp, from statewide to specialty county camps, and everyone is welcome. 

WVU Extension offers five statewide camps. The new Camp Jump Start for youth ages 10 and 11 is a weekend camp that introduces younger campers to a statewide camping experience.

Junior Firefighter Camp for youth ages 14-17 provides classroom education and practical training to further students’ knowledge and skill in firefighting and emergency operations. 

The Older Members Conference is open to anyone ages 14-21 to learn leadership and civic engagement skills by leading camp activities and discussing current issues.

Alpha I and Alpha II are also camps for anyone ages 12-21 where campers are divided into age-specific groups to participate in workshops and learn about teamwork and leadership.

Each county also offers some type of camping program for youths in their community, including day camps and overnight camps.

4-H membership is not required to attend camp.

Costs for each camp vary, but financial assistance is available for some programs. For more information about WVU Extension 4-H camp opportunities, visit the 4-H Camp website or contact your local WVU Extension office.

If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit their website or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.

Randolph County Camp for Youth Founded: July 29, 1915

A pioneering camp for rural youth began in Randolph County on July 29, 1915. Activities included hiking, fishing, swimming, and games.

The camp was sponsored by West Virginia University’s Extension Service, which had been created just a year earlier, and was led by J. Versus Shipman, his wife, Bess, and William “Teepi” Kendrick.

The camp was part of a national rural education movement that would evolve into 4-H in 1918. The four H’s stand for head, heart, hands, and health. Although the Randolph County camp was the first of its kind, other clubs for rural boys and girls were already in existence, including one established in Monroe County in 1908.

One of the leaders of the Randolph County camp, “Teepi” Kendrick, deserves much of the credit for the growth of 4-H in West Virginia. Not only did Kendrick expand the program to include youth development, he directed the first state 4-H camp in the United States—held at Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County in 1921.

Over the years, the mission of 4-H has broadened to provide a variety of educational programs, including assistance for urban and underprivileged youth.

July 26, 1942: Camp Washington Carver Dedicated

Camp Washington-Carver was dedicated as West Virginia’s black 4-H camp on July 26, 1942. Named for Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, the camp is located at Clifftop in Fayette County.

It was the first 4-H camp for African-Americans in the country, and its Great Chestnut Lodge is the largest log structure in West Virginia and one of the largest in the nation.

The camp was built under two New Deal programs: the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. It originally included the lodge, a guest cottage, a water tank, a pond, two dormitories, a swimming pool, and a bathhouse.

During the years of racial segregation, Camp Washington-Carver sponsored summer 4-H camps, Boys and Girls State, Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps, mining and home economics camps, and church camps for African-Americans. It also served as an off-campus learning center for West Virginia State College (now University) until 1979.

Since 1979, Camp Washington-Carver was has been managed by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, which hosts various reunions throughout the summer as well as the popular Appalachian String Band Music Festival.

Camp Washington Carver Dedicated: July 26, 1942

Camp Washington-Carver was dedicated as West Virginia’s black 4-H camp on July 26, 1942. Named for Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, the camp is located at Clifftop in Fayette County.

It was the first 4-H camp for African-Americans in the country, and its Great Chestnut Lodge is the largest log structure in West Virginia and one of the largest in the nation.

The camp was built under two New Deal programs: the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. It originally included the lodge, a guest cottage, a water tank, a pond, two dormitories, a swimming pool, and a bathhouse.

During the years of racial segregation, Camp Washington-Carver sponsored summer 4-H camps, Boys and Girls State, Boy Scout and Girl Scout camps, mining and home economics camps, and church camps for African-Americans. It also served as an off-campus learning center for West Virginia State College (now University) until 1979.

Since 1979, Camp Washington-Carver was has been managed by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, which hosts various reunions throughout the summer as well as the popular Appalachian String Band Music Festival.

Exit mobile version