Camping
Camping is an important part of the 4-H experience, and great fun for 4-H members. Camping has often been an activity of individual local clubs. With tents and gear in hand, clubs in West Virginia have never needed to travel far for wilderness adventures. However, the popularity and usefulness of a county wide 4-H gathering in summer became evident by ca. 1915 in West Virginia. The county gatherings soon lead to a desire for permanent camp facilities, year-round structures erected for larger gatherings of 4-H clubs, and other community organizations.The first “4-H Camp” in the nation opening in 1917 in Randolph County to great success. The subsequent spread of 4-H summer camps across the state lead to a generational tradition for many of the state’s citizens. Today West Virginia has summer camping facilities for 4-H clubs located in many counties, while some counties combine to use one central camp facility. The campers, combinations of the various smaller clubs in the county, are divided into separate weeks for either Younger (3rd through 6th grade) and Older (8th grade through age 21), while 7th grade age youth can choose one or the other that year.
In addition, every year WVU Jackson's Mill hosts summer camps for older 4-H youth, teen leaders and leaders in training.
The summer camp experience allows ample time for play and recreation, while also working to instill a sense of friendship, cooperation, community and self worth. Nightly gatherings around the camps fire circle are the center of activity.
Camping Forms and Information – A large collection of WVU 4-H Camping material in pdf format.
4-H Event Packets – A great deal of 4-H related material.
Here are examples of 4-H Camp related web sites in West Virginia:
Kanawha County 4-H
Kanawha County – Camp Virgil Tate
Monongalia County 4-H
Monongalia County Camp Muffly
Randolph County 4-H
Randolph County Camp Pioneer
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