Camp Leadership Development Weekend

On March 14 & 15, over 100 teen and adult volunteers from Southwest Virginia came to the 4-H Center for an intensive camp training experience. On Friday night, there were games and pizza, and a long line to play Guitar Hero!

On Saturday, the real work began. The volunteers attended four hour-long sessions, including "Camp Safety" presented by Daniel Collins, "Positive Role Modeling" presented by Sam Fisher and Heather Littrell, "Diversity at Camp" presented by Shelia Belcher, and "Experiential Education Methods" presented by Nick Fuhrman from the state 4-H office. In addition to these sessions, there were round-table discussions, a head-to-head team Jeopardy battle, and a series of quick round-robin activities.

A good time was had by all, and more importantly, these volunteers learned a lot about what it takes to volunteer at camp. Special thanks to them for all their hard work! Check out the pictures below of the weekend's activities.

Dulcimer Discoveries

There is an exciting opportunity for adults coming up at the 4-H Center. On April 14-18, we will once again host the "Dulcimer Discoveries" program. This is a great chance for adults to learn to play the dulcimer, either beginner or intermediate players are welcome.

Instruction will be offered on both the hammered and lap dulcimers, but you'll need to bring your own instrument. If you want to register, download the registration form here, or call us for more info. Hurry, space is limited!

February 16 Southwest District BB Shoot Results

On Saturday, Feb. 16 the 4-H Center hosted the Annual District BB Shoot. A total of 30 shooters participated in this competition (16 Jrs. and 14 Srs.) In the Junior division, teams from Lee County, Patrick County, and Floyd County shot 10 minute rounds in prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing. Here are the top three individuals and team winners:

Individuals:

1st Place Isaiah Puckett, Patrick County
2nd Place Jason Pendleton, Patrick County
3rd Place David Parsons, Patrick County
Team:
1st Place Patrick County
2nd Place Floyd County
3rd Place Lee County

Attending their first shooting competition, both Lee and Floyd counties had exceptional shooters. With a little more time and experience these young shooters are going to raise the bar on this competition.

On the Senior level the following counties competed: Bland, Patrick, Lee, and Tazewell. Seniors shot 10 minute rounds in prone, sitting and standing. Here are the top individual shooters:

1st Place Jessica Ingle, Lee County
2nd Place Jonathan Gillespie, Tazewell County
3rd Place Mandy Pendleton, Patrick County

(There were no teams in the Senior Division)

Here are a few pictures from the shoot, compliments of Melissa Harber in Lee County.

Austin Eldridge, Lee County, Bronze medal, Junior level, Could his smile have been any bigger if it had been a gold medal? I don't think so!

Amanda Harber, Lee County, Gold Medal, Junior level, Happy, happy, happy!

Jessica Ingle, Lee County, 1st Place Gold medal, Senior Division WOW! First time out and she brought home first place! Way to go Jessica!

A New Way To Support Us

You may have noticed a new item on the sidebar of the blog...a link to iGive. This is an exciting new way to support the 4-H Center. iGive partners with many popular retailers that many of you probably already use. When you sign up with iGive, every time you shop online you have the opportunity for a portion of your purchase to be donated to the 4-H Center.

To sign up, just follow this link, or click the image on the sidebar.

Calling All Camp Staff Alumni!

What's been happening in your life since your 4-H Camp experience? We would love to hear from some of the alumni out there. If you would like to share what's been happening in your life (marriage, kids, school, jobs, etc....) send us a note and we will post it on this site. Thanks, and we hope to see you on the 14th of June this summer. More details on the event will be coming soon.

SAVE THE DATE JUNE 14, 2008

Camp Staff Reunion
June 14, 2008
at the Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center
Activities will begin at 10:00 am.

A reunion for all camp staff that have worked here at the 4-H Center from 1960 till today is scheduled for this summer. Plans are currently underway for a fun day at the Center that would include reminicing and renewing old friendships. Tours of the Center, a barbeque lunch, displays of memorbilia, and lots of opportunities to catch up are part of the plans for the day. The swimming pool will also be open. We hope if you are one of over 600 individuals that spent a summer of employment here that you will come and join us for the day.

We need help finding these former staff members as well. Our mailing list are out of date for many of these individuals and we have lost touch. We know that many of you have kept in touch over the years, so if you know of former staff members please pass the word. We would really like to reach as many as possible so they may share in this great opportunity.

National 4-H Week

In case you didn't know already, this week is National 4-H Week. Every year in October, 4-H'ers across the country celebrate 4-H and their achievements. This year's theme is "Science, Engineering & Technology."

If you're a proud 4-H member, make sure to let everybody know this week, and show off the things you've been a part of all year long!


For more information about 4-H and National 4-H Week, check out this brochure.