Rock Eagle

 

We are six weeks away from this year's National 4-H Volunteer Conference! 4-H: Find Your Spark is September 28 - October 1. This year we will offer onsite activities at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Eatonton, Georgia, and virtual programming. 

Full-time single occupancy registration is $425 and includes meals and lodging from Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast. There are also double occupancy options ($350) as well as a virtual option ($100).

Registration is open at www.4hvcoss.com. While we will accept registration until our lodging is filled, if you would like a conference t-shirt and other swag confirmed, please register before September 7, 2023. 

We have a great lineup of speakers, workshops, and activities, and don't want you to miss out. Share with your friends, encourage other volunteers and paid staff to join, and be sure to register.

We have lots of fun on Facebook, too, so like us @4hvcoss 

Please let us know if you have any questions, and we look forward to finding our sparks together at this year's event. 

Home Sweet Home?

       It's Friday!  For most folks that's the end of the work week.  For our campers here at Betsy Jeff Penn 4-H Camp, affectionally called BJP, it is a bitter sweet day.  We are glad to see our families, but hate leaving our fun, friends, and all the food here at camp.

  We got up this morning and started packing.  It was another cool misty morning cat camp and that just sort of kept the damper on everyone's spirits as they tried to figure out how to stuff everything back into their suitcases.  Breakfast was perfect for traveling.  We had a chance to make our own breakfast biscuit sandwiches and there were really big hashbrowns to go with them.  It was oh so good.  however the mood was a little somber as everyone realized we would be leaving in just a couple of hours.

   Luggage was packed and placed in locations not to get wet.  Although I think there might have been a lot of wet towels and bathing suits packed up.  So the luggage may have gotten wet from the inside out.  We got cabins cleaned up and hope that everyone remembered everything.

  It was time for our final time in the rec hall.  Our campers were treated to a lost and found fashion show.  Many of them found items they had misplaced around the camp.  Then it was time for awards.  Each cabin counselor gave out awards for the All Around Awesome camper, best buddy, and more.  Then it was time for the slide show.  We had photos taken all week and got to see ourselves at our finest, funniest, and even most foolish, and it was great.  Oh the fun we have had.

    In no time it was time for us to get on the bus and head home.  We loaded up and prepared for the sleepy ride back.  It was good to see our families and we can't wait to tell them about camp.  To see what our brief last day looked like please click on this link.  

Is Too Much Fun a Thing?

   I do my best to randomly appear and disappear so the campers can have the most fun possible.  I mean who wants an adult who can report home watching you all day?  It can generally harsh your fun.  So when I see our campers I ask, "Are you having fun?"  For the most part I get that look that most adults get when you ask a stupid question of a child.  You know the one where you get the blank stare with the, "how stupid are you?" look behind the eyes, back.  That is exactly what I am going for.  So let;s see if I can capture their most fun moments of the last full day at camp with a few of the "are you having fun? replies.

    We woke up to a little more than a drizzle today but not enough of a rain to make you wet wet.  It was just right for us to get up and still do all our activities.  Breakfast was incredible.  We had bacon, eggs, a homemade biscuits.  These were crunchy on the outside and so soft and fluffy on the inside.  Oh so good.  Since meals are served family style there is generally plenty for everyone.  Essentially the appointed table waiter for the day brings bowls or plates of food to the table and everyone helps themselves.  Then whoever takes the last of something goes ahead and gets the bowl or plate refilled if anyone wants more.   I will tell you everyone wanted more bacon, and they got all they could eat.  

     After breakfast and chores everyone went out for activities.  Just in case the rain kicked in our Health group went ahead and did horses and the climbing wall.  Those are two things are campers love and we didn't want them to miss out on these very camp like activities.  Other went on a hike to the beaver dam, did arts and crafts, went swimming, and enjoyed archery and the boulder wall.  While the climbing wall goes up the boulder wall goes across.  It is too much fun!

     Our trekkers left yesterday for Pilot Mountain to go canoeing, sleep outside, and climb up real rocks.  They are expected in this afternoon.  They are cooking over an open fire and having a ball doing things in the real world wilderness with our trained staff.  A little rain might have put them in a van to sleep during the night, but overall we know they had great fun and will be exhausted when they get home.

  Back at camp lunchtime rolled in and as you can imagine our campers were famished.  Something else that they have access to at camp is the salad bar during lunch and dinner.  We have some serious salad eaters.  Also hard boiled eggs on the bar went faster than the Flash.  For lunch today was shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches, baked beans, and hush puppies.  For some of our more exhausted campers lunch included naps.  Once that stomach is full sometimes you just can't help yourself. 

After lunch it was the last round of activities.  Lots of creek stomping, fishing, swimming, and more as our campers got a chance to do just about everything.  Some of them had a hard time telling me what their favorite thing was.  Of course their minds were really on the main event...the evening activity...the dance!  Oh how they planned to get dressed up and have fun.

  Before that they still had their last chance at the camp store and it was tie for our Trekkers to make it home.  A little tired, dirty, but no worse for the wear, these teens had a great time and learned they had to follow directions because this trip was no joke.  It tested them and built their confidence.  All in all, once they get some sleep and cleaned up, they will be glad they did it.

  Our last dinner was here before we knew it.  A camper favorite, chicken tenders was on the table along with sides and a choice of salad.  Our campers were thrilled and the conversation was all about the dance that night.  What they would wear, the girls had plans to fix their own, or each other's hair.  It was a thing and each cabin was going to out do the other.  Everyone was getting dressed up, including the counselors.  The thought of the fun was too much and everyone hurried up to eat to make sure their was plenty of time to get ready.

   The rec hall turned into the ballroom for the night.  The youth arrived dressed impeccably and they danced the night away.  Every popular dance for the last 20 years or so was played and they did the Electric Slide, the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, the Wobble, Cotton Eyed Joe, the Macarena, and more.  They had so much fun, sweat, and laughs they just couldn't contain themselves.  

    After the dance they went to their farewell campfire.  They enjoyed skits, jokes, stories...just a perfect end to a perfect week.  Walking back to the cabins with one of our campers I asked her if she had fun.  She, without hesitation told me that this was the best week of her entire life.  I asked her if she would like to come back next year and she told me, "I do and I want to stay for a month next year.  Is that ok?"  I told her I wasn't sure about a month but that I was glad she had that much fun.  

  Back in the cabins showers were happening.  Bags were starting to be packed, a few tears shed because friends didn't want to leave each other or this magic place called Betsy Jeff Penn.   Let's hope all our campers get a goods night sleep before we head home tomorrow.  

To see all of our fun in photos please click this link.  

Half Way to Home?!?

We woke up this morning to a gorgeous 61 degree day.  Across the lake you could see steam rolling off as the warm water and cool air temperature came together.  There was no doubt this was going to be an incredible day at camp. As our campers woke up from some deep sleep they started, what is now a routine process of making their beds, getting dressed, and cleaning their cabins.

Before they knew it, our campers were headed to breakfast, probably the quietest meal of the day.  For breakfast our campers enjoyed french toast sticks, fresh fruit, and an array of other breakfast delicacies like cereal and yogurt.  After cleaning up from breakfast (yes they clean off the tables and wipe them down after handing over dishes, silverware,  and cups to the dishwasher it is time for flag raising.  Our campers say the pledge of allegiance and the 4-H pledge as the flags are raised each morning.  Then it is time to start their day.

Today's activities included fossils (not sure if they made them or if they were found), crafts, canoeing, swimming, archery, horses, and rock wall climbing.  Our trekkers loaded up this morning and headed to the Dan River where they would be canoeing down the river, climbing rocks, setting up tents, cooking over a campfire, and rock wall climbing before coming back tomorrow, late afternoon.  our campers also got to go to the boulder wall which instead of climbing up, they climb across.  Now a favorite activity, yoga and meditation were thrown into their schedules so they could have a little more down time.

It doesn't take long before it is time for the next meal and our campers are always famished.  Lunch time was a hit today with chicken sandwiches and potato wedges.  Our campers couldn't get enough.  When it comes to eating or activities, well at this point I think they enjoy eating but they are doing it quickly to get back out to the fun.

Afternoon activities had the addition of fishing thrown in.  Since there is no way to keep the fish and clean them and eat them, everything got thrown back in and the kids had a ball.  To better explain the camp is fairly large so as groups travel around they see each other at places like the camp store or meals but it is unlikely that they see each other on activities and unless you know where to look (which obviously our agents do) it is going to be hard to find them around camp during activities. 

Camp store is the mid afternoon break to get a snack and a drink.  Campers come to the rec hall where this "store" is located.  They can get a water bottle (because we do like them to stay hydrated) one snack and one drink each day.  On the last day they can spend out their card and get souvenirs, etc.  Campers will also receive this year's camp t-shirt when we get home.  Camp store and the camp t-shirt are all included in the cost of camp.  We want to make sure our youth have something to remember camp by.  After getting and consuming their treat, campers have a little free time in the rec hall for dancing, playing four square, talking, reading, etc.

After camp store it is back out to activities and finish their days events.  Already lots of talk is swirling around the camp about the evening event.  I would tell you more but you will have to wait until you get to the paragraph just like our campers had to wait all afternoon and through dinner to experience this event. 

For dinner tonight we went with an all time camper favorite spaghetti and meatballs.  It was accompanied by breadsticks, salad, and for desert????? Vanilla cake!  Campers throughly enjoyed this meal and there were lots of folks filling bowls back up for seconds and even thirds.

Our adventurers were out at the outpost pitching tents for a night out and cooking dinner over a campfire.  They got to go on a night hike and have lots of fun at outpost before coming back into camp for the end of the talent show and a bathroom break.  Then they went out for a night under the stars.

The end of diner means flag lowering, thoughts for the day, announcements, and then.....evening activity.  Wednesday night that means the camp talent show!  We had gymnasts, singers, comedians, dancers, instrumentalists.  The abundance of talent in this group was amazing.  Intermission for the event was the evening snack and drink.  Then they went back to the rec hall for more acts before concluding the evening a little after 9 pm.  At that point it was time to head back to the cabins for showers and to get some sleep for what will be our last full day at camp!

To check out the fun of the day please click this link. 

Carolyn Lewis

 

 It is with great sadness that we are informing you of the passing of one of our former 4-H Club leaders, Carolyn Lewis.  Carolyn was the co-leader of our first animal science club in Fairmont in the early 2000's.  She loved working with animals and youth.  Carolyn in later years was an avid gardener and even a member of our Extension Master Gardeners.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carolyn's family tonight.

Obituary posted on Floyd's Funeral Home website:  Carolyn Lewis, age 77, of Fairmont, NC passed away Friday, July 21, 2023 at UNC Health Southeastern in Lumberton, NC. She was born July 20, 1946 in Hoke County the late Emory Lewis and the late Minnie Morris Lewis.

Ms. Carolyn was an avid horse lover, gardener, and farmer. She received a Master’s degree in Mathematics. She also was a member of the Robeson County Garden Club and the 4H Club.

Ms. Carolyn is survived by a son, Emory Conner Lewis of Fairmont, NC; a grandson, Emory Conner Lewis, II; an adopted son, Marcus Haire; three sisters, Teresa Evans, Brenda Mays and Barbara Glines all of Fairmont, NC; special friends, Hubert Locklear and Dennis Simmons and families.

A graveside service will be held Monday, July 31, 2023 at 11:00AM at Floyd Memorial Cemetery 1549 Marion Stage Rd. Fairmont, NC.

Getting the Hang of Things

   You could say it was a picture perfect day at camp as our campers woke up to clear skies and temperatures in the low 70's.  Our campers knew this was the time to get those cabins clean to either defend their title as the cleanest cabin, or bring the heat and the clean to challenge those who took home the awards the night before.

  Campers headed up to the flag pole for flag raising and breakfast.  This morning they had bacon, eggs, bagels, and other options like cereal and cottage cheese.  There is no reason for anyone to go hungry at camp.  Although with all the energy they put out each day its no wonder that they show up famished.  

  Once they had nourishment it was time to hit the camp.  Our youngest campers got to go canoeing on Lake Hazel today.  No worries for those who are not strong swimmers because everyone wears a life jacket if they even go near the lake.  Our next oldest youth went to archery and got to play some cool games.  The Health and Earth Groups took off for the swimming pool, because that is the best way to stay cool.  The Sun group headed to horses while our oldest campers in Adventurer and trekkers went up to the ropes course to learn how to climb, jump, and walk high up in the air (with a harness and rope attached(.

After rotating activities it was already time to head to the dinning hall and enjoy lunch.  On the menu today, a kids favorite.; cheeseburgers and fries.  Our campers gobbled it down like it was going out of style.  They also had their cup of water and then juice if they felt the need.  Our camp staff make sure our campers stay hydrated out there.

After lunch campers went out on more adventures.  The Beaver Hike, swimming, fossils, crafts and even Yoga/Meditation time.  Which for some campers meant sitting and meditating, other colored, and some found a whole new way to utilize their yoga mat and get a little shut eye in before the next event.  The next event for half the group was switching activities while for the rest it meant camp store.  Oh how much fun they have getting a drink and snack every day.  Then it was back to the fun of activities.

Dinner tonight was barbecue chicken, green beans, and mac and cheese.  Table waiters were having to go get lots of second and third bowls of these favorites for their tables. Our campers were full of food and energy of the evening activity.  For half our group that was water sports and the other half got to play games and make s'mores.  

By the time the sun was setting our campers couldn't wait to get showers and hit the hay.  Wednesday has some brand new adventures awaiting them as well as the realization that we are almost half way through our camp week.  

Check out our adventures through pictures by clicking this link.