MINERAL WELLS - Cyclists will be riding into town Friday as part of a 250-mile trek to raise money for 4-H camp scholarships.

"The scholarships help 4-Hers attend state camps, to help pay their fees. It's about $250 to attend the camps, which are held at Jackson's Mill. The camps are similar to the local camps we have here. The kids have classes, do crafts, learn leadership skills, study science and technology, have tribal and council meetings, participate in recreation, hiking. The age range for the camps is between 9-21 years," said Jodi Smith, local West Virginia University Extension Service agent/4-H coordinator in Wood County.

"We probably have around 25 kids that attend these camps every year. The state camps are a little more expensive, so the scholarship funds really help make it more affordable. It pays part and the kids pay part of the fee," Smith said. "There would defiantly be kids who would not be able to go to the camps if it weren't for the scholarships, especially in these economic times."

Wood County native Chris Smith, 31, now of Conover, N.C., is the spokesman for the Wood County stretch of the Outspoken for 4-H Bike Ride. He said this is the sixth year for the fundraising event. It will be his fourth year to participate.

"Jeff Yokum started the bike ride. With the economy, it's even more important. We have some good state 4-H camps, and this money helps out," Chris Smith said.

Chris Smith said the first year he participated in the cycling fundraising event, he couldn't ride the whole way.

"I had to get off a few times. The second time I did it," he said. It is anticipated there will be between 18-20 riders this year. In previous years, the group has raised between $7,000 and $10,000 by collecting pledges for the ride.

"Friday night we will be riding into the 4-H camp," Chris Smith said. He rides as a hobby, but says experience of the riders varies.

"We have one guy who races for West Virginia University. Jeff Yokum works in D.C. and is a bike cop, others enjoy cycling as a hobby, it really gives you a workout. We're planning on having a pit stop at Rockport, around 2:30 p.m. and we should be at the Mineral Wells 4-H campground around 3:30-4 p.m. on Friday. I went to camp as a kid and really enjoyed the experience, I got to go on an exchange program to Jamaica for six months," Chris Smith said.

"Our team leaders from here have been working on posters to inspire the riders, the posters will be put up along (state) Route 14 as part of a service project. The leaders also donated $225 as a pledge for the bike ride. The posters will start around the Rockport exit, hoping to inspire and encourage the riders," Jodi Smith said.