4-H Camp Teaches Responsibility While Kids Have Fun

CAMP WOOTEN – "You can almost tell a kid in 4-H from one who is not," said Bi-County 4-H Camp Director Deb Hays on her fourth day overseeing the 2017 4-H Camp activities at Camp Wooten.

Hays said youth who participate in 4-H club activities are more responsible and more respectful, and make for better adults.

Camp Administrator Sheree Ledgerwood agreed. Ledgerwood recalled one 4-Her, who seemed an "odd man out," but who has turned out to be a "great guy," in large part because of his involvement in 4-H Club activities.

4-H Camp Counselor Coordinator Aaron Stallcop said 4-H Camp gives kids a safe, inclusive environment in a family setting, where they are not hungry, they have a comfortable bed to sleep in, and a positive learning environment.

"No matter what a child's home environment is like, we want this to be the best week of their year," he said.

In March, the adult camp counselors received 32 hours of state mandated training in child abuse and reporting, leadership skills, mealtime strategies, personal hygiene, conflict resolution and team building.

The teen counselors, numbering 24, also received training in March, plus they worked to ready Camp Wooten for summer activities.

"Our camp is there because of them," Stallcop said about the hardworking teens. "They are so involved. It is very impressive. We have the cream of the crop down here."

Cristie Crawford, the event coordinator, said the administrative team has been together for about ten years, and is a strong team. Crawford said there is strong participation in 4-H Camp by multiple family generations.

All four camp administrators began 4-H Club activities as children, and three of them had family members preceding them in the club's activities, as well as family involvement during last week's activities.

Crawford, who lives in Walla Walla, said she came to 4-H Camp as a toddler, when her mother was a camp director. Crawford said she has also been a teen counselor.

Stallcop and Ledgerwood, who live in Pomeroy, said they began their 4-H camping experience while in the third grade. Ledgerwood's mother attended 4-H Camp as well, she said.

Hays, who lives in Dayton, said she has been involved in 4-H from the age of 8, and she has worn many hats while moving up the ranks to becoming the current 4-H camp director.

"I've been a cabin mom, dishwasher, cook and camp director," she said.

4-H Camp has been held at Camp Wooten for somewhere between 55 and 60 years, according to Paul Carter, the WSU Extension Agent for Columbia County.

Carter said 4-H Camp began under the direction of Art Sunderland, who was the Extension Agent in Columbia County from about 1954 to 1979. 4-H camp started at Camp Wooten around 1960.

"Art was here and helped establish what is known today as Camp Wooten State Park," Carter said.

Carter said Roland Schirman followed Sunderland as the Columbia County Extension Agent, from 1979 until 2004. Schirman was at 4-H Camp last week, and said he has been a 20-year volunteer.

4-H Camp receives its funding through corporate donations. "There are no solicitations of businesses for free stuff," said Stallcop.

This year the 4-H Club raffled a Traeger grill to raise money for camp. Last year a gun safe was raffled. Grants help with the extras, Stallcop said.

4-H Camp follows all of the WSU Extension policy guidelines. Campers are expected to perform daily chores and follow rules for good conduct.

"We're always looking for class ideas, and volunteers," said Stallcop.

For more information about 4-H Camp, contact the WSU Columbia County Extension Office at 382-4741.