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Plenty of happy campers take part in Wood County 4-H summer programs

By Staff Reports 6 min read

MINERAL WELLS -- Local 4-H members participated in a variety of activities this summer at camp which wrapped up on June 30.

More than 200 youth were involved in one or more of four camps this summer at the Wood County 4-H Camp in Mineral Wells.

One-day camp for 5-8-year-old campers kicked off the month and provided kids an opportunity to spend a day at 4-H camp. The regional 4-H horse camp provided learning opportunities for 40 kids from Wood and surrounding counties to learn a variety of disciplines. Horse ownership was not required to attend this camp, and all the participants had the opportunity to ride during the week. Wood County 4-H also hosted more than 130 campers at younger and older 4-H residential camps.

This year campers participated in a variety of learning opportunities including cooking, sewing, folk and line dancing, STEM, nature discoveries, fishing, shooting sports, cake decorating, photography, arts and crafts, and more.

Special guests at 4-H Camp included presentations from the Boy Scouts of America Kootaga Indian Dancers, virtual reality careers with MOV Career Connections, Mindfulness and Kidding Around Yoga with Pamela Santer of Mindful West Virginia, Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Department, and basic beekeeping with Mountaineer Beekeepers. Older 4-H Campers had a surprise visit from the West Virginia University Mountaineer Mascot, Mikel Hager.

Perhaps the best outcomes of 4-H camp are the life skills campers learn during their experience, officials said.

"Many of our 4-H campers participate in leadership and teamwork opportunities by taking the lead on group activities throughout the week," said Jodi Smith, 4-H Extension Agent. "We have an application and interview process for leadership positions each year. This gives our campers some great life experience."

Cyleigh Sampson, chief of the Seneca tribe, said of her experience that "Being chief of my tribe taught me to be patient and make sure everyone's voice is heard, so that everyone is included and gets to feel like camp is their home as well."

Cameron Shore, chief of the Cherokee tribe, also agreed that he learned patience, "it also taught me to be a better friend. One memorable moment was our visit with campers from The Arc Summer Day Program."

Tessa Prunty, chief of the Delaware tribe, said that being chief "taught me how to think quick on my feet. It was awesome being in a position where I could give everyone an opportunity to participate in the fun of camp."

Lucas Lewellyn, chief of the Mingo tribe, said that being chief "taught me leadership."

Horse Camp group leaders were Head: Olivia Stewart, chief, and Andrea Huffman, sagamore. Hands: Alena Koon, chief, and Hunter Detamore, sagamore. Heart: Marissa Hendershot, chief, and Audrey Kent, sagamore. Health: Heidi Boggess, chief, and Cyleigh Sampson, sagamore.

Tribal leaders for 2023 Older 4-H Camp were Delaware chief Tessa Prunty and sagamores Jayden Dearth and Camryn McLain. Mingo chief Lucas Lewellyn and sagamores Cameron Marks and Alaina Marshall. Cherokee chief Cameron Shore and sagamores Ali Smith and Mallory Marks. Seneca chief Cyleigh Sampson and sagamores Katie Daley and Erin Carmicle.

Tribal leaders for Younger 4-H Camp were Delaware chief Douglas Casto and sagamores Cate McLain and Lillian Kelley. Mingo chief Collin Lewis and sagamores Reagan Lawrentz and Layleigh Fordyce. Cherokee chief Hailey Barnes and sagamores Kourtlynn Barley and Aaliyah Bland. Seneca chief Olivia Tice and sagamores Abigail Gibson and Jaxon Swiger.

All 4-H campers can earn camp awards and scholarships throughout the week. Due to several generous donors in the community, 4-H camp scholarships are provided to all award winners. Campers also earn felt awards based on years of good and active camp participation.

At the end of each residential 4-H Camp, H's and Spirit of Camp awards are given out. The Head H represents a camper who has been a leader and made good decisions; the Heart H represents a camper who is loyal and friendly to others; the Hands H represents a camper who is always willing to help; and the Health H represents a camper who lives a healthy lifestyle. The Spirit of Camp is given to the 4-Her who represents all four of the Hs.

This year at Horse Camp Audrey Kent won the Head H, Brantly Poling won the Heart H, Heidi Boggess won the Hands H, and Hunter Detamore won the Health H. Spirit of Camp was Alena Koon. Outstanding First Year Campers were Ashton Peters and Trinity Probasco. Scholarships were given to Cyleigh Sampson, Kyra Bell, Olivia Stewart, Kaitlynn Detamore, Nevaeh Resinger, and Ashton Castleberry.

At Younger 4-H Camp, Olivia Tice won the Head H, Reagan Lawrentz won the Heart H, Lillian Kelley won the Hands H, and Cate McLain won the Health H. Spirit of Camp was Hailey Barnes. Scholarships were given to Savannah Tice, Douglas Casto, Jansen Dearth, Sophia Burgess, Layleigh Fordyce, Maylee Bland, Jillian Riddle, Kourtlynn Barcley, Warren Davis, Remi Radcliff, Trinity Gregg, Olivia Alexander, Collin Lewis, Connor Gregg, Ady Matheny, Landyn Moles, Dylan Criss, and Alexus Forman. Outstanding First Year Campers were Gia Mazza and Justin Donato.

Older 4-H Camp award winners included Tessa Prunty Head H, Colorado Sampson Heart H, Emma Daley Hands H, and Chase Breen Health H. Spirit of Camp was Cyleigh Sampson. Scholarships were awarded to Lucas Lewellyn, Cameron Shore, Lycan Cline, Cameron Marks, Byron Dearth, Brady Hofmann, Katie Daley, Alaina Marshall, Ali Evans, Hollie Smith, Hannah Lent, Myah Tice, Camryn McLain, Hope Prunty, Kyra Bell, Mason Lewis, Erin Carmicle, Josiah Swiger, Paisley McDonald, Levi Reynolds, Jordan Dearth, Mallory Marks, and Wyatt Sadler. Outstanding First Year Camper was awarded to Paisley Fry.

Receiving their Charting Pins at 4-H Camp were Byron Dearth, Alaina Marshall, and Cameron Shore. Tessa Prunty and Mallory Marks were recognized for their induction into the West Virginia 4-H All Stars. Cameron Marks, Alaina Marshall, and Emma Daley were recognized with the special leadership felt award at their last 4-H camp as campers.

"It truly takes a village to provide quality 4-H camping programs for our youth," Smith said. "Volunteers from WVU Medicine and Highmark donated time to the camp as part of the United Way Alliance of the MOV Day of Action. Projects included painting, landscaping, cleaning out gutters, and even hanging poultry pens in the barns.

"This 4-H camp is unique in that it is technically owned by 4-H and is managed by an all-volunteer group. All the work at the camp is completed when we have the time and resources."

United Way Alliance of the MOV provided a day where 26 volunteers were able to come together and make a difference by completing several projects at the camp. In addition to that, the United Way provides funding to support the Wood County 4-H Camping program.

"We truly appreciate each one of our partners, volunteers, and supporters," Smith said.

The Wood County 4-H program is under the direction of WVU Extension and is open to youth ages 5-21. For more information about 4-H, contact the WVU Extension office locally at (304) 424-1960.

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