4-H Camp tradition goes ‘Back to the Future’

GRAFTON – A total of 61 campers packed into Camp Towles this week to enjoy 4-H Camp.

4-H Camp started in Taylor County in 1928 in the Lost Run area, but for most of its years, camp has been conducted at the Camp Towles facility, located along Tygart River.

The 2012 theme for Taylor County’s 4-H Camp is “Back to the Future.” Campers and staff alike traveled back in time, starting their Sunday night in the 1970s. The tribes then worked their way back to the future as the week progressed.

Staff members enjoyed the nostalgic trip made with campers, pointing out various staff members in pictures while they were yet camp members.

“There is Paul Reneau when he was just a camper,” chuckled Mrs. Rosencrance.

Eyewitnesses from the camp claim that Reneau enjoyed dressing up as an ape and trying to scare the older boys on their night of camping out under the stars. Witnesses lacked the forensic proof needed to substantiate their claim.

Chad Proudfoot taught this year’s newspaper class for the camp. He took advantage of having a local hometown newspaper by inviting the editorial staff of the Mountain Statesman to speak to his class on Wednesday morning. Sports Editor Brian Moore and I were privileged to be able to accept the invitation to spend some time with these fascinating young reporters.

After a short introduction, Brian went with the guys for a tour of the sporting activities at the camp. Aaron Vick, Bobby Thorn, and Amos Stead took Mr. Moore to see the differing tribe members fishing, and then on to watch others perfecting their archery skills.

I had the privilege of touring with Katie Lavender and McKenzie Flohr. Katie and McKenzie took me to a friendship bracelet making class, then to outdoor cooking, and then to LEGO Robotics.

Although I was impressed by the bracelet making, and awed by the LEGO Robotics, I have to say that I was absolutely amazed by the creativity of the outdoor cooking class.

Instructors Pat Wyer and Sharry Rogers were present to talk with the two camp reporters, and myself about the menu and ingredients being used for the week. The ingredients used included WV Trout, bear, and shark! Taylor County 4-H Camp’s outdoor cooking class needs to start their own cooking show.

My tour with Katie and McKenzie included observing these two young reports as they interviewed Katie McDonald. Young Katie would ask the questions, while McKenzie would take note of the questions and their answers. Katie and McKenzie would then work together as Katie would write the story.

Katie and McKenzie learned that Ms. McDonald had been attending 4-H Camp since she was eight years old. They also learned that McDonald has attended as many as six 4-H Camps per year. Finally, they noted that this is McDonald’s last year being eligible to be a camper at 4-H.

Class instructors for the 2012 Taylor County 4-H Camp included: Lauri Daetwyler, Randy Daetwyler, Susan Daetwyler, Robert Devers, Paul Garton, Susan Westfall, Kameron Freeman, Calvin Johnson, Sherry Johnson, Julie Matthews, Josh McCartney, Katie McDonald, John Murray, Chad Proudfoot, Paul Reneau, Sharry Rogers, Cindy Rosencrance, John Shingleton, Traci Stead, Jake Sturms, Eric Swick, Pat Wyer, and Terry Wyer.

Every good camp needs counselors to which the directors can rely on. Camp counselors at this year’s Taylor County 4-H Camp week included: Paul Garton, Robert Lantz, Josh McCartney, Chad Proudfoot, Jake Sturms, Susan Daetwyler, Katie McDonald, Cindy Rosencrance, Abby Daetwyler, Celeste Rosencrance, Ashley Simmons, Kameron Freeman, Elaine Gilbert, and Lisa Loyd.