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Campers gather for fun, crafts and games
By Ben Holman
Nevada Daily Mail
Last week the University of Missouri Extension office hosted the 2004 4-H McGennis Youth Camp at McGennis Youth Center north of Metz.
The campers arrived on Sunday afternoon and immediately began participating in activities. The Deerfield Fire Department was on hand to inform the kids about fire safety.
Chuck Humble brought out his horses for a horsemanship and roping demonstration and Daniel Bruce came out to give the kids a talk and demonstration on horse-shoeing. The kids rotated between these and other activities such as swimming, team building exercises and get-aquainted games.
On Monday the campers were up early and ready to go. They began the day with a flag ceremony and then, after breakfast, delved into another fun filled day.
Camp participants constructed fleece blankets and other craft projects, went swimming some more, took hikes, and participated in more demonstrations led by local emergency medical crews and the National Guard.
Tuesday was just as busy. The day was packed with more craft activities, hikes and, of course, more swimming.
That evening, the camp hosted a cookout for parents of campers to come and see what they had accomplished and to watch a variety show put on by the campers, staff and parents. At 9 o'clock, the campers were on their way home, busily talking with one another about their experiences and looking forward to next year's camp.
"I enjoyed it a lot," said Clayton Clark, who has been a camp counselor for several years. "We had a great bunch of kids." Clayton said his cabin of four campers was smaller than last years, but that gave him the opportunity to get to know each of them that much better.
"I think all the kids really had fun. We must've gone swimming for about three hours-a-day," said Clark. "Most of them, I think, will want to come back next year."
He also said that the food was excellent thanks to some great volunteers. Paula Sage did most of the food preparation with the help of the Charlie Guthrie, Bronaugh 4-H, West Point 4-H and Sheldon 4-H.
"We had some wonderful donations from all sorts of people," said Carol Parmenter, Vernon County University Extension 4-H. "Monetary support was the best it's ever been."
She said that the Nevada Medical Center did the camp a great service by filling in as nurses for the whole camp because the usual nurse was unavailable. Parmenter also said there was tremendous support from other local businesses.
"Every year it amazes me how Vernon County supports that camp," said Parmenter.
Sharon Koopmann, University Extension, said, "It's a camp that is very well supported by people throughout Vernon County, both monetarily and with volunteers."
The camp used to be called the Bob White youth camp and involved youth from several area counties.
For the past 14 years, the camp has been known by the current name and has been held at McGennis Youth Center. The camp is intended to give Vernon County children who are otherwise unable to go to camp an opportunity to attend.
Campers pay only $1 for the chance to have a camp experience.