Summer of fun at Wood County 4-H Camp
Throughout the summer, campers attending the Wood County 4-H Camp near Mineral Wells participated in themed activities, tribal competitions, recreation, assemblies, evening programs and educational classes designed to help them learn, lead and make new friends. (Photo provided)
Throughout the summer, campers at the 4-H Camp near Mineral Wells participated in a wide variety of educational classes that introduced new skills while reinforcing the 4-H pledge’s emphasis on head, heart, hands and health. (Photo provided)
This year’s Wood County 4-H Camp theme is “Spirit Week,” which encouraged campers to celebrate teamwork, creativity, and positive camp spirit while building leadership skills and trying new experiences. (Photo provided)
Throughout the summer, campers attending the Wood County 4-H Camp near Mineral Wells participated in themed activities, tribal competitions, recreation, assemblies, evening programs and educational classes designed to help them learn, lead and make new friends. (Photo provided)
Throughout the summer, campers at the 4-H Camp near Mineral Wells participated in a wide variety of educational classes that introduced new skills while reinforcing the 4-H pledge’s emphasis on head, heart, hands and health. (Photo provided)
This year’s Wood County 4-H Camp theme is “Spirit Week,” which encouraged campers to celebrate teamwork, creativity, and positive camp spirit while building leadership skills and trying new experiences. (Photo provided)
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MINERAL WELLS - It was a summer of fun and learning at the Wood County 4-H Camp near Mineral Wells.
The West Virginia University Extension and Wood County 4-H wrapped up another summer camp season, providing hands-on learning, leadership development and memorable experiences for youth through four unique camping opportunities.
Throughout the summer, youth participated in Cloverbud Day Camp for children ages 5-8, Regional Horse Camp, 4-H Younger Camp for youth ages 8-12 and Older 4-H Camp for ages 13-21.
This year's camp theme, "Spirit Week," encouraged campers to celebrate teamwork, creativity and positive camp spirit while building leadership skills and trying new experiences. Throughout the summer, campers participated in themed activities, tribal competitions, recreation, assemblies, evening programs and educational classes designed to help them learn, lead and make new friends, according to a release from the WVU Extension.
"Getting to be chief at older camp of the Delawares and a counselor at younger camp was a really rewarding experience because I got to improve my leadership and team working skills while building lifelong friendships with other adults and kids in the 4-H program,” said Emma Casto, one of the camp participants this summer.
Cloverbud Day Camp introduced the youngest participants to the 4-H camping experience through activities, games and hands-on learning. Regional Horse Camp provided youth with instruction in horse care, horsemanship, riding, showmanship and horse-related educational activities while also emphasizing leadership, responsibility and teamwork.
Educational assemblies and special guests provided engaging learning opportunities throughout the camping season. Discovery World's STEAM Machine introduced exciting science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics concepts through interactive demonstrations. Wood County 4-H member and 2026 Seneca Tribe Chief Cate Evans was selected as a WVU Extension STEM ambassador this year and shared engaging STEM activities with campers. Campers also learned about environmental stewardship through presentations from the Wood County Solid Waste Authority and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Older camp participants explored practical solutions for reducing, reusing and recycling as Wood County adapts to the loss of the City of Parkersburg-run recycling center. Additional assemblies focused on leadership development, artificial intelligence, square dancing, Hawaiian dance, healthy living and substance use prevention.
"Having multiple leadership roles in Wood County 4-H has given me great learning opportunities and experiences," said Chase Breen, who served as a teen leader camp counselor this year at Younger and also Sag of his tribe. A Sag or a Sagamore is an assistant youth leader in traditional tribal camp structures who helps a chief lead their peers.
Campers participated in a wide variety of educational classes that introduced new skills while reinforcing the 4-H pledge's emphasis on head, heart, hands and health. Opportunities included shooting sports featuring archery, air rifle, air pistol, shotgun and muzzleloader; dance; cardio drumming; health and fitness; cooking and healthy snacks; arts and crafts; painting; woodworking; news reporting; STEM activities; and numerous leadership experiences. Healthy living and prevention education were integrated throughout each camp experience.
Teen counselors, tribal leaders and camp leaders help plan activities, mentor younger campers, and create an environment where every camper has opportunities to develop confidence, responsibility and leadership skills, according to the release.
Wood County 4-H Regional Horse Camp recognized outstanding campers for their leadership, character and participation throughout the week. Individual honors included Head H Award recipient Rowan Ashley, Heart H Award recipient Ashton Castleberry, Hands H Award recipient Trinity Probasco, Health H Award recipient Harper Kerns and Spirit of Camp Award recipient Tatum Brotherton.
Horse Camp Lucky Penny Awards were presented to Josie Ash, Jacob Balis, Gracelynn Bills, Carlie DeBerry, Colton Hogbin, Huntar Kerns, Olivia Mounts, Zoey Norris, Raeleigh Parsons, Brylee Poling, Scarlett Probasco, Angel Shafer and Autumn Strickland. Lucky Nickel Awards were presented to Rowan Ashley, Ashlyn Carson, Kelsey Dennis, Brooklyn Miller, Lunden Schneider and Madalynn Wilson. Jacob Balis was recognized as Outstanding First-Year Camper.
Horse Camp scholarship recipients were Huntar Kerns, Colton Hogbin, Paisley Casto, Mackenzie Buskirk, Kay Barrett, Scarlett Probasco, Brylee Poling, Zoey Norris and Kelsey Dennis.
At Younger Camp, the Seneca Tribe earned the 2026 Spirit Stick. Tribal leaders included Delaware Chief Maylin Wolfe and Senior Sagamore Rose Casto; Mingo Chief Sophia Burgess and Senior Sagamore Brylee Whitlatch; Cherokee Chief Chase Boso and Senior Sagamore Marley Edman-Moore; and Seneca Chief Logan Sims and Senior Sagamore Dylan Criss. Individual honors included Head H Award recipient Rose Casto, Heart H Award recipient Braxton Amos, Hands H Award recipient Sophia Burgess, Health H Award recipient Braxton Stemple, and Spirit of Camp Award recipient Logan Sims.
Younger Camp Lucky Penny Awards were presented to Jackson Anderson, Owen Beaver, Charlee Cade, Janson Collins, Amelia Edman-Moore, Marley Edman-Moore, Tucker Fordyce, Carly Gifford, Andrew Grimmer, Carter Grimmer, Lincoln Gura, Karter Hamrick, Emmy Ingold, Braelyn Lyons, Parker Matheny, Brylee Poling, Isabelle Stellwagen, Addy Stout, Jansen Swiger, Chiryan Underwood and Danika Williams. Lucky Nickel Awards were presented to Lillian Blair, Alexis Collins, Savannah Criss, Addy Fleak, Colton Fleak, Liam Kelley, Noah Pifer, Brooke Sims, Kennedy Smith and Peyton Smith. Tribal Loyalty Awards were presented to Jacob Anderson, Chase Boso, Rose Casto, Abrianna Fleak, Sabrina Heddleston, Grace Koon, Karson Pigott, Arianna Smith, Morgan Smith, Braxton Stemple and Maylin Wolfe. Logan Sims received the Green & White Award. Jansen Swiger and Marley Edman-Moore were selected as Outstanding First-Year Campers.
Younger Camp scholarship recipients were Owen Beaver, Chase Boso, Dylan Criss, Savannah Criss, Amelia Edman-Moore, Colton Fleak, Tucker Fordyce, Sabrina Heddleston, Parker Matheny, Noah Pifer, Karson Pigott, Brylee Poling, Arianna Smith, Peyton Smith, Jansen Swiger, Chiryan Underwood and Maylin Wolfe.
At Older Camp, the Seneca Tribe earned the coveted 2026 Spirit Stick. Tribal leaders included Delaware Chief Emma Casto, Senior Sagamore Chase Breen and Junior Sagamore Jordan Dearth; Mingo Chief Olivia Raber, Senior Sagamore Collin Lewis and Junior Sagamore Annie Barton; Cherokee Chief Reagan Parsons, Senior Sagamore Mason Lewis and Junior Sagamore Ali Evans; and Seneca Chief Cate Evans, Senior Sagamore Audrey Sundstrom and Junior Sagamore Ben Supple. Individual honors included Head H Award recipient Ali Evans, Heart H Award recipient Olivia Raber, Hands H Award recipient Jordan Dearth, Health H Award recipient Emma Casto and Spirit of Camp Award recipient Cate Evans. Outstanding First-Year Camper was Peyton Meade.
Older Camp recognition also included Lucky Penny Awards presented to Mackenzie Cade, Lucas Dulaney, Daniel Eubanks, Bristol Florence, Madison Hall, Ashtyn Jenkins, Anna Lauer, Alex Lopez, Peyton Meade, Lunden Schneider and Emma Shingleton; Lucky Nickel Awards to Joey Kallner, Brantly Poling, Riley Rupert, Ben Supple and Mary Supple; Tribal Loyalty Awards to Olivia Alexander, Lucie Cline, Avery Fogle, Brantley Mace, Demetrie Smith, and Sophia Williams; Green & White Awards to Jaron Barrett, Kay Barrett, Annie Barton, Tanner Kress, Paisley McDonald, Cate McLain, Remi Radcliff, Jayla Riddle and Savannah Tice; the Blue & Gold Award to Jenna Lewellyn; Special Leadership Awards to Hannah Arnold, Mallory Marks, Cameron Shore and Ali Smith; and Charting Pins to Hannah Arnold, Hailey Barnes, Isabella Bland, Hattie Brown, Bailey Callihan, Caroline Fisher, Shayleigh Gard, Jasmine Greening, Jenna Lewellyn, Mason Lewis and Paisley McDonald.
Older Camp scholarship recipients were Olivia Alexander, Annie Barton, Chase Breen, Shayleigh Gard, Joey Kallner, Jenna Lewellyn, Mason Lewis, Mallory Marks, Ady Matheny, Paisley McDonald, Kinsley Moncman, Reagan Parsons, Brantly Poling, Cameron Shore, Audrey Sundstrom, Ben Supple and Bre Taylor.
Multiple camp scholarships were presented throughout the summer thanks to the generosity of community members, businesses, organizations and families who continue to invest in the Wood County 4-H camping program and believe in the impact these experiences have on young people, the release said.
The success of the 2026 camping season was made possible through the dedication of volunteer camp directors, counselors, instructors, adult volunteers, Extension staff, community partners, sponsors and the many teen leaders who gave their time to create meaningful experiences for younger campers, the release said.