Summer Camp Broadcast Journalism

In the very near future, this space will host special blog posts created by 4-H campers here at the 4-H Center. The camping season starts June 4 with Washington County, and for the duration of the summer each week's Broadcast Journalism class will document camp activities in pictures and words. Along with a weekly podcast, they will be posting here as well. Watch closely for posts authored by "4H Campers" to see what they're up to!

Weber City Elementary

Congratulations to Weber City Elementary's 6th grade class on their graduation to middle school. The sixth graders visited the 4-H Center this week for a morning of teambuilding and leadership development.

Over 60 students visited us, and were led through activities like "Electric Fence," "Minefield," "The Human Knot," and "Magic Carpet."

All of the groups did very well, and the rain held off long enough for us to finish all of our activities and head inside for lunch.

2007 State Camp Staff Training

On May 16, this year's 4-H Center camp staff traveled to the W.E. Skelton 4-H Center to join camp staffers from all across Virginia in an annual training event.

Our small, but dedicated and enthusiastic group was joined by over a hundred other camp enthusiasts for a three day event. Over the course of the event, they learned new songs, made new friends, and honed their camp skills.

This special camp training event saw attendees from the Airfield 4-H Center, Holiday Lake 4-H Center, Northern Virginia 4-H Center, Jamestown 4-H Center, and the Skelton 4-H Center.

The Southwest 4-H Center staff took a lead role in several areas, including a "How-To" Workshop on rainy day activities, the New Attendee Workshop, and a flag lowering program.

On Thursday, staff members spent a whole day going through intensive training sessions in their specific curriculum areas. There were sessions on Natural Resource Education for our nature instructor, a low ropes session, outdoor living skills, a special session for Administrative Assistants and Camp Coordinators, and more. There was even a hands-on session exclusively about games and gameplay at camp.

The Southwest 4-H Center was well represented, and once again proved that we have one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated camp staffs in all of Virginia. With their hard work this summer should prove to be one of the best!

Dulcimer Discoveries Eldherhostel

This week the 4-H Center has been ringing with the sounds of the dulcimer. Participants from all over the country, from as far away as New York and Ohio, have come to take part in a special Eldherhostel that takes place every year here in Abingdon. Led by instructors Jeff Sebens and Anne Lough, hostelers learn how to play both the hammered dulcimer and the lap duclimer, or mountain dulcimer.

Both lap and hammered dulcimers work together to play traditional hymns and folk songs.

The Elderhostelers began arriving on Sunday, several having driven for two days to get here. Many have been here before, year after year, for three, four, even seven or eight years in a row. In fact, some of the duclimers were built right here at the 4-H Center.

In addition to making all that music, we took a trip to the Barter Theatre on Wednesday night to see "The Quiltmaker and a field trip to Whites Mill for a tour.

With the beautiful weather calling, several of our guests took advantage of the Virginia Creeper Trail for an afternoon hike near Alvaredo. On Tuesday night, we were excited to have old friends Fire In The Kitchen take time out of their busy performance schedule to come play for us.

The week was filled with music and fun, and we look forward to having everyone back here again next year. Check out more pictures below.

Anne Lough gives tips to the lap dulcimer players.

Jeff Sebens teaches the hammered dulcimer players.

Anne & Jeff lead a combined session for the week's finale.

Proud new parents!

Two former 4-H summer camp staff members are the proud parents of twins! Jason and Dawn Crabtree, who reside in Lee County, welcomed into the world March 12, somwhere around 12:30pm, Riley and Greer Crabtree. (a boy and a girl) Both babies weighed in around 6lbs 10oz. and lengths of 20in. and 20 1/2in. Both mom and the babies are doing great. Dad couldn't be prouder!

This is Dawn's first look at the twins!

Yep, think she will have her hands full! (literally)

Not to worry, the twins will be trained in Hokie-mania.

4-H Model Horse Show

Saturday morning 17 4-Hers from around the Southwest District came to the Center for a special Horse Show. Pariticipants brought model horses made from plastic, metal, resin, and china and displayed them in over 76 classes.
Led by Cornelia Estep, 4-H Agent in Russell County, this is the 5th year for this show. Many of the horses displayed were Bryer - the company that originated the model horse show.

Here is a class in the Halter Division of Light Breeds.

One of the categories was best scene. Participants set their models in a real-life setting as seen here with the barn and tractor.

Judges suggested providing documentation with the models being shown. This helped with breed identification as well as assisting participants in placing their models in the correct class.

Judges Nella Dionne of Mountain City, Tennessee and Dana Niday of Bland County are about to tie this class of harness horses.

Abby Worth -Jones received the Sportsmanship Award. This award was voted on and given by her peers that participated in the show.

A big thank you to the judges, parents, and participants for making this years show another success!

Southwest District BB Tournament

On Saturday, February 24, the 4-H Center hosted the Southwest District BB Tournament. Over 30 shooters, Senior and Intermediate, attended. Bland and Patrick counties were represented.

Observers watch their teammates' targets through binoculars and a spotting scope.

Intermediate shooters in the kneeling position.

Shooters in the standing position.

Patrick county winners proudly displaying their awards.

The girls from Bland County really outdid their (male) teammates!