A holiday shopping reminder

As we begin this holiday season, we wanted to take an opportunity to tell everyone about a great way to support the 4-H Center that's free and easy.

When you sign up with iGive, you can shop at all the websites you usually use and a portion of your purchases is donated to us!  All you have to do is visit those websites from the iGive page (and be signed in of course).  If you've never done your holiday shopping online, this is a great excuse to give it a try, it's so convenient.  And the best part is, you can use this site to raise money for the 4-H Center all year long!

And that's not all.  You can also donate money to the 4-H Center by using iGive to search on the web.  That's right, all those web searches you do every day could be earning money for the Center!  Check out the top left corner of this blog, under the banner, for a special link to use your web searches as a fundraiser.

Free Choral Concert

Next week, the 4-H Center will host folks from all across the country for our annual Choral Elderhostel.  Participants will spend a week with us, rehearsing and polishing a choral program to be presented to the community on Friday, November 20 and everyone is invited!

The program will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Main Street in Abingdon at 7PM and is free and open to the public.  So come enjoy some great music on Friday night!

What: The Southwest Virginia 4-H Center's Elderhostel Choir, under the direction of Andrew Walker
When: Friday, November 20 at 7PM
Where: St. Thomas Episcopal Church
            124 E. Main Street
            Abingdon, VA 24210

Virginia Youth Storytelling Showcase

The first Virginia Youth Storytelling Showcase will take place at the Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center here in Abingdon, Virginia on January 23, 2010 in Ratliff Hall. Youth ages 9-19 will compete in this statewide contest for cash prizes and a chance to move on to the national contest held in Pigeon Forge, TN. Each state nominates up to five young tellers from that state to be considered as a candidate for the National Youth Storytelling Showcase. We are excited to be a part of this innovative program and hope you will join us. If not to compete, to listen to these talented young storytellers.

Contest will begin at 2pm with a meet and greet beginning at noon for all participants. (lunch will be provided) Pre-registration is required by January 15, 2010. You can download the forms here.

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Dr. Cathy Sutphin of Pulaski, VA, the winner of our Guitar Raffle!  Cathy's name was drawn from over 800 tickets to win the guitar signed by bluegrass legends including Ralph Stanley and Doc Watson. 

The drawing took place on October 19 as part of a celebration dinner that included a musical performance by Sandy Shortridge, the 4-H Agent who headed up the guitar project, and several of her 4-H members who assisted in gathering the autographs.  They played two great sets for the diners in attendance.

So the 4-H Center congratulates Cathy, and sends our thanks to Sandy and her dedicated 4-H members!

4-H bluegrass band performs

Cathy Sutphin, raffle winner

Come have dinner with us!

On Monday, October 19, we will draw the winning ticket for the big signed guitar raffle.  If you don't know already, the 4-H Center is raffling off a guitar signed by over 50 world-famous bluegrass artists.  Tickets cost only $5, so be sure to buy one if you haven't yet.

But that's not all!  We want everyone to join us for the big drawing...so we're having a dinner!  That's right, on October 19, everyone is invited for a special event where we'll serve hot dogs, baked beans, cole slaw and dessert for only $5 a plate.  There will be a special bluegrass performance by local 4-H members and a 50/50 drawing too!

So be sure to buy your raffle tickets, and join us on October 19.  Dinner service will begin at 6PM, with a musical performance at 6:30, 50/50 drawing at 7:30, and the big guitar raffle drawing at 7:45.

Halloween Weekend!

We're having a Halloween weekend camp!  Open to grades 6-8, this camp will feature a costume contest, storytelling, a trip to the Barter Theatre and much more.  The cost is $75 and there are scholarships available!  Click here to download a registration form with more information....but hurry, the registration deadline is October 19!

2010 Summer Staff Applications

It's that time already!  The 2009 summer camping season is barely behind us, but we are already accepting applications for next summer's camp staff.  If you are interested, or know anyone who is, click here to download an application.  Fill it out and return it to us soon...positions will fill quickly!

Guitar Raffle Fundraiser

There is an exciting fundraiser taking place at the 4-H Center. We are selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a guitar signed by over 50 bluegrass legends! Sandy Shortridge, 4-H Agent in Buchanan County, personally collected all of the signatures on this guitar with help from Buchanan 4-H'ers. The winner of the guitar will receive a CD with pictures of each artist signing the guitar. Tickets are only $5, so contact the 4-H Center or you local 4-H Agent to purchase some today!

that is a great picture of her.BRITTNEY

DSS Camp 2009

cheanne semmed to be coming back from lowropes.Brittney

DSS Camp 2009

She is so silly. Mackenzie



It looks like a little Smurf house. Mackenzie PEACE!



She is a awesome staff here at camp.BRITTNEY



She is one of my best friends.BRITTNEY

DSS Camp 2009

That's my friend Josh, he is sitting down and drinking pop. Scotty p.s. woo hoo America woo hoo



what I Liked about SUMMER CAMP is that we got to go swimming. jacob



I like to dance with her. Tiffany



It's good dancing. Destiny

DSS camp 2009

camp was fun. jacob



ileasiah



they are the most pretty horses in camp! lexie

Washington 2009

Brianna luvz Dalton

Washington 2009

The Archery crew bowing there arrows. by Justin



Emily winks lol posted by Heaven Necessary




Dillon was in the beijing olympics! KELSEY HANCOCK
Dillon won the Broinze Medal in the 30 meter dive SyDnEy*

Washington 2009

Dillon was diving in to the pool. By Jodi Kelcey



Watch out CIT! they were blind folded to learn about being a counselor! By Alexandra and Lauren



When Gertie lays on the balloons and they do not pop/burst open. Katie and Ashley



Mator and Gertie love taking baths in balloons! Jordan and Abigail



A lot of campers like to play ga ga during rec time. Jaymee and Isaac

Washington 2009

the girls walking to Russell Hall ..... Josie

Washington 2009

Walnuts on a normal day.



The counslers having fun at 4h camp with the kids.

Wythe/Bland 2009

Little Bo Peeps one of the horses at 4-H Camp!!!! Karassia



starz on stage! Lindsey




This is Logan posing for the camera. Erica



Lindsey and Erica showing off their colorful iceing. Hannah

Wythe/Bland 2009

Keyki trying not to smell the nasty eggs. Sadie



He is concentrating. Gracie Compton



Wythe/Bland 4H camp 2009. Natasha Sargent



Kids having fun in the Advanced Swimming Class. Savannah Slaughter



Lindsey Faulkner and Erica Muncy are making icing in Sweet Nothings. Michaela Atwell

Wythe/Bland 2009

Best Friends Forever,icingwise. Emily C.



Jasmine R.



She looked funny. Emily



It's funkilious. William

Summer Staff 2009

Sam is the Center Director and has been the cornerstone of the SWVA 4-H Center for the better of two decades. Her leadership and knowledge of camp shows through the staff and the camping program. You can find her all around camp and is all knowing of the happenings around camp. Her love of children shows through her actions and through the rigorous training of the staff. This year was a reaccreditation year for the American Camp Association and SWVA passed with flying colors with Sam in charge.


Fun Info:
Camp name - Sam
Favorite soda - Diet Mountain Dew
Hobbies - Golf, Movies and Camp

Win is in his 5^th year as the Program Director. This is a year around position where he leads and facilitates programs throughout the year in addition to camp. He would like to dedicate this summer to his new wife that he married just weeks ago. He is no stranger to Virginia 4-H camping as he was a staff member at the NOVA 4-H Center for many years. He has brought new traditions as well as a great singing voice to camp. Between he and Sam they try their hardest to train the staff and make it special for every camper that comes through the SWVA 4-H Center.

Fun info:

Camp Name – Skadoosh
Favorite meal at camp – Chicken Legs
Favorite memory from camp – making up songs and voices for people

Jason is back this year as the Administrative Assistant. He is in his 17^th year of camping here at the SWVA 4-H center. He is currently attending Liberty University where he is studying Master of Arts in Student Ministries. He tries to make camp special by doing what he can to make campers feel like they are the most important person here. His years of experience and being on staff make him a great asset in the Administrative Assistant role. When he’s not at camp he enjoys his mama’s cooking, golfing and watching the Tarheels play.

Fun info:

Camp name – Zyrtec
Favorite meal at camp – Biscuits & Gravy
Favorite activity at camp – 4-Square
Favorite Camp Song – Stay on the Happy Side

Heather is in her 4^th year of being on staff and has taken on the rewarding chore of being the camp medical representative. If the camper needs medicine or is sick she is the first stop. In her previous years on staff she was the broadcast journalism instructor and the Administrative Assistant. She is currently attending Radford University where she is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She loves camp because she gets to be silly, hangout and meet new people and have fun with the campers. Learning the campers names and listening to them when they speak is the key to how to make camp special for the kids. She also just loves camp and will do just about anything to make the campers love it as much as she does.

Fun info:

Camp Name – Gravy
Favorite meal at camp – Biscuits and Gravy
Favorite food outside of camp – Salmon patties

Nikki is joining us again for her 4^th summer on staff. This year she is the camp store clerk and is instructing the CIT Leadership Class. She is originally from Lee County and is currently attending ETSU. She is studying Parks and Recreation Management which comes in handy while working at camp. She thinks that when you connect with a camper you can bring out an extra amount of energy from them and put yourself into the part of a role model. You can find Nikki doing weird and funny things to make the kids laugh and loosen up, especially at meals. One of her favorite camp memories is where she learned new things from a camper while instructing one of her classes. She isn’t afraid of trying new things at camp while keeping the old traditions alive!

Fun Info:

Camp Name - Nikki Woo Woo
Hobbies – Eating, Yoga and talking about camp
Things she buys most out of the camp store - Mountain Dew and Fruit Bars
Favorite activity at camp - DANCES

Judith is from Chilhowie, Virginia and this is her second summer on staff. This year she is teaching Performing Arts and CIT Leadership. Although she is only in her second year on staff this is her 11^th summer attending camp at SWVA. She is currently attending Radford University where she is Studying Elementary Education. Some of the things she loves about camp is Chicken Nugget Day, being here for the campers and the orange sodas out of the camp store. She makes camp special for campers by focusing on their strengths and talents in order to make them feel better about themselves. Some of her favorite memories from camp is from some former staff members. (Particularly a certain lifeguard). She thinks that SWVA 4-h Center has a certain magic about it and is eager to pass it on to campers.

Fun Info :

Camp name – Jazz

Favorite Camp Shirt – 2008 tie-dye camp staff shirt

Favorite Ice cream – Moosetracks

Song that she loves to lead – I love the Mountains

Paul is back in his 11^th year at camp and 3^rd year on staff. He is back at his post as the Lego Robotics instructor. He is from Wythe County where he attended camp as a camper and teen volunteer. He also volunteered at camp with other counties. He attends Radford University where he is majoring in communication sciences. He started being an active 4-Her at his 2^nd year at camp when an adult volunteer signed him up for the mixed up beauty contest and has been hooked on 4-H ever since. He things that the key to making camp special for the campers is making the small efforts and connecting with the campers. His original personality and his passion for gau-gau and the SWVA 4-H center makes him a great addition to the staff.

Fun Info:

Camp name – Paulie Walnuts
Favorite Camp Meal – Tator tots
Favorite snack item – Fruit Bars
Camp Song that he loves – Green Grass or Pass it on

Aaron is back again for his second year on staff. This year he is instructing the Broadcast Journalism class. He is a resident of Russell County and attends ETSU where he is majoring in History. He tries to make camp special for the kids by keeping them excited and teaching new skills. He love the feeling of teaching the campers new methods and seeing the interaction between them. One of his favorite memories was attending State Staff Training where he was able to interact and learn from 4-H staff members across the state. Aaron’s bright personality is a hit with the campers and he is one fun staff member to have aboard.

Fun info:

Camp Name – Cha Cha

Favorite Dance – Cha Cha Slide

Hobbies outside of camp – model roalroading, swimming and football

Laura comes from Pulaski and is a Student at Virginia Tech. This is her second year on staff as the High flying 4-Hers instructor. Here she is in charge of Rappelling , Zipline and Climbing wall. She is a lively character and a great asset to the summer staff. She has been a 4-Her since she was very small and attended SWVA 4-H camp when her mother was the 4-H agent for Wythe County. She knows her songs and she knows how to help make camp great.

Fun Info:

Camp Name – Beaner
Favorite Camp Song – Bazooka Bubble Gum
Fun things to do outside of camp – Movies and lying in the grass

Nicole is from Marion in Smyth County and is excited to join the staff after many years of being a cabin counselor. She is one of our Swimming instructors and lifeguards. Her bright personality impacts every activity that she is involved. It is great to have her on staff.

Fun Info:
Camp Name – Weezy
Likes to lay out in the sun
Playing 4 square and loves to lead grace songs for meals

Ashley comes from Lebanon, Virginia where she has been a volunteer with Russell County 4-H for many years. She is attending Virginia Tech where she is studying Ag and Animal Sciences. She is instructing the swimming class and Lifeguarding for the summer. She believes in close interaction with campers for them to have a great week of camp. She keeps coming back to camp so she can give back to the program that has given her so much through the years.

Fun Info:

Camp Name – Gunpowder Gurtie

Hobbies: Anything with horses

Favorite camp song – Boom Chicka Boom

Cubby joins us for his first year on staff as the Shooting Education Instructor. Cubby comes from the greater Rural Retreat area in Wythe County. He has been a camper and volunteer for Wythe County 4-H camp for 9 years, so he is no stranger to camp. He also has volunteered as a cabin counselor for other counties in the past. Cubby will be attending Radford University in the fall where he is majoring in biology. Bringing enthusiasm and loving to work with kids is something that Cubby believes and brings to the camp. He also does whatever he can to make camp amazing for them. This is because he believes that camp is a place where someone can be truly accepted and feel like they belong.

Fun Info:

Camp Name – Tango
Favorite activity – Campfire!
Favorite Song – sardines
Favorite Fruit – Mangos or bananas

Amanda joins us for her first year on staff as the Archery instructor. She hails from Carroll County where she attended 4-H camp with them for 6 years before joining the SWVA Summer staff team. She is currently attending Wytheville Community College and is getting the General Education credits down while she decides her major. She loves to make jokes with the campers and talks with them in order to make it special. Amanda thinks that the difference between an average staff member and a great one is taking the initiative to do more than what you are told. Outside of camp you can find Amanda playing sports and hanging with her friends.

Fun Info:

Camp name – Mator

Love most about camp - making kids smile

Favorite soft drink – Diet Mountain Dew

Song most likely to Lead – Bear Hunt

Kelsey is currently in her first year on staff as well as her first year camping with SWVA 4-H Center, but don’t hold that against her. She brings an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm, not to mention her pet lop bunny Reggie, to camp. She is originally from Wise county and is attending Virginia Tech where she is studying Wildlife Sciences. She loves to swim and be outside. She thinks that talking to campers and connecting with them is a key to make camp special for each and every one of them.

Fun Info:

Camp name – Skrat
What she loves about camp – the well behaved children
Favorite snack – Sweet Tarts
Favorite camp memory so far – Something about Fishing and a toilet

Hannah is in her 10^th year attending SWVA 4-H Camp and is in her first year of being on staff. She has taken on the challenge of being the Low Ropes instructor. She comes from Lee county where she was a camper and a teen leader. She will be attending ETSU in the Fall where her major is Pre-Med. While at camp she thinks that taking the time to talk to campers and get them involved can make the difference for them. She keeps coming back to SWVA because it’s a second home to her.

Fun info:

Camp name: Sunshine

Favorite Fruit – Crunchy Apples

Favorite meal – Home cooked Baked apples

Favorite Activity at camp - Singing

Ethan is our part-time Lifeguard and is a native here in Washington County. He has been apart of SWVA 4-H for 8 years as a camper and teen. He is all about some 4-H and participates in it whenever he can. He just loves every aspect about camp. He brings with him a certain goofyness and charisma that makes him a great addition to the staff.

Fun info:

Camp name – Puddles

Favorite song at camp – There was a moose

Favorite Snack – Oreos and a gallon of milk

Why you wanted to work at the 4-H center – the kids and the staff.

These are the profiles for our 2009 Summer Staff. We will be doing these profiles for future summers and posting it both here and creating a space for it on our website. This is just another way for county camps and for parents to know a little about the summer staff that will be working with the campers. I hope you enjoyed these profiles of the 2009 Summer Staff.