Published: July 15, 2008 08:27 am      

Area 4-H youngsters taking part in camp

Area 4-H Club members departed Monday for the club’s annual Tri-County 4-H Camp.

More than 50 4-H members from Harper, Ellis and Woodward counties converged on Northwestern Baptist Association Campgrounds about three miles north of Vici in Dewey County for the three-day event.

“The emphasis this year has a space theme to it,” said Terry Nelson with Oklahoma State University’s Woodward County Extension Office. The Extension Office coordinates the camp each year.

According to a letter from Melanie Lynes-Matt, Extension Educator, this year’s theme is “Ignite Your Imagination and Blast Off in 4-H.”

4-H’ers will conduct a variety of activities related to the space theme, Nelson said.

“Some of the major stuff we’ll be doing is model rocketry...various workshops that will be done that will be fair exhibits,” Nelson said.

The older 4-H members will assist younger members with workshop activities, Nelson said. In addition, he said, “the older 4-H kids serve as counselors.”

Nelson said members between the ages of 9 and 18 attend the camp. Those 15 and older serve as counselors, he said.

The camp is a long-running tradition, Nelson said. When asked how long, Nelson replied, “forever.”

He went on to add, “It’s been a part of the 4-H program I really don’t know how long...it’s been forever.”

Participating 4-H members reported to the campgrounds early Monday afternoon. Camp will end by noon Wednesday.