Newsletter ~ 2012

WEST KENTUCKY 4-H CAMP

As we reflect back on this year, we cannot help but be grateful for all of the people weve gotten to work with campers, volunteers, Agents, Camp Staff, Rental Group leaders & participants, and financial supporters. All of these people make it possible for Camp to exist and to continue to make a difference in the lives of Kentuckys youth. Thanks to their support, as well as the generous support of UKs College of Ag. & the Camp Improvement Committee, we have seen a variety of facility improvements this year including: New Fishing Dock Repair of Drainage Issues at Girls Bathhouse New Retaining Wall at Dining Hall All New Singing Area Benches Nature Hut Renovations (Metal Roof, New Walls, Removal of Wasp Nests inside the walls!) Painting of the Pool New Trails Connected Around all of Main Camp New Bird Blind Windows New Dining Hall Roof New GaGa Ball Pit Platform www.westkentucky4hcamp.com
New Retaining Wall at Dining Hall Drainage Repair at Girls Bathhouse New Fishing Dock

Check out our website for more pictures of various improvements -

4-H Camp instilled in me, throughout the summers I have spent there, a strength that has helped me overcome obstacles in my life such as bullying. For the first time in my life, I really believed that I could do anything with my life, that I could be anyone I wanted to be. That is something that will be with me for the rest of my life. ~ Megan, Teen Leader

2013 Summer Schedule **************

May 28 - 31: June 4-7: June 10-13 June 17-21: June 24-27: Barren, Monroe, Edmonson, Hart, Metcalfe, Carlisle, Union, Henderson Breckinridge, Caldwell, Hardin, Lyon, Trigg Marshall, Fulton, Graves, Ballard Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Webster Grayson, Hancock, Daviess, Christian, McCracken, McLean, Illinois Group Cloverbud Camp (all Counties) Calloway, Livingston, Ohio, Warren, Simpson, Allen Butler, Hickman, Logan, Todd, Crittenden

I believe in living life to the fullest in a safe and positive manor, and I love nothing more than sharing that same passion with these kids. Thats why I love volunteering for West Kentucky 4-H Camp! ~ Dillan, Teen Leader

June 28-30: July 9-12: July 15-19:

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Contact your local 4-H Agent for registration information and volunteer opportunities!

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SUMMER STAFF APPLICATIONS

Well begin accepting applications for Summer Staff positions in January check our facebook page for the announcement!

BRICK CAMPAIGN: Leave a legacy with the purchase of an engraved brick for $50 more information available on our website!

SUMMER STAFF its not just a job, its an experience!

Many people wonder why anyone would want to spend the entire summer living at camp. After all, camp staff have to endure extreme heat, crazy storms, long hours with very little time off, no television, the same camp food week after week, etc. for nine weeks. Working at camp is not for the weak. And its not just a summer job its an experience that will change your life if you let it. Just look at what some of this years staff had to say about their experience . . . I learned a lot about myself working at camp; its true that each day is an opportunity to learn something new, so it is not just the kids who benefit from camp. Camp helped bring me out of my shell and do things that I never thought I would do; if it made this big of an impact on my life, just imagine how it is helping today's youth in a society dominated by technology. ~Chance, Canoe Instructor I work at camp because growing up I got the privilege of getting to go to 4-H Camp and do all the fun activities that were planned and meet new friends. But what I learned this year by working at camp is that watching kids grow and learn the way I use to is even better than when I did it myself. My favorite part about working with kids is watching them build friendships and do things they wouldn't ordinarily do but because they are at camp they try it. ~Katie, Ropes Instructor I worked at camp to provide the same memorable experiences I had when I was a camper. I really wanted the kids to realize that its not all about Facebook and video games, that there is a world out there full of opportunity . . . working at camp, believe it or not, pushed me to become more mature and focused on work and when it came to school! ~Jake, Archery Instructor I saw countless friendships made during the 8 weeks that I worked at Camp, including the countless friends that I made myself. I work at camp because I love to see the look on a kids face when they get up on a horse for the first time, climb the rock wall, jump off the diving board, get a dance just right, or sally with a friend they havent seen since last summer, it shows me that I am doing my job right. I cant pinpoint one exact reason why I work at camp, because it is a sum of everything. It is something you cant explain to someone who has not been there and done it. It is something you have to experience for yourself. ~Alyssa, Equine Instructor

Find us on Facebook

DID YOU KNOW?

Some Dragonflies can fly at speeds of up to 20 mph. There are more than 5,000 species of Dragonflies. A single Dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.

www.facebook.com/westkentucky.fourhcamp

FAMILY FUN DAY

Saturday, May 4th, 10am 2pm
Save the date and plan to bring your family to camp for a day of fun as you participate in camp activities together. Wagon Ride tours will be available. This event will be open to the community its a great opportunity to show everyone what camp is all about!

CAMP SUPPORT As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we rely on the continual generosity of our faithful supporters. Financial contributions and donations of items from our wish list are taxdeductible as allowable by law and a receipt will be provided. Contact the Camp Director, for more information: wkydirector@kentucky4h.org WISH LIST New fishing reels New or gently used softball gloves Bird Feeders and Bird Seed (Safflower Seed, Suet Cakes, Wild Bird Mix) 4-burner Electric Stove (2) Metal folding chairs

THANK YOU to the Hopkins County Jail Crew for clearing and cleaning up all of our trails around camp!

*Check out our website to see the full Wish List: www.westkentucky4hcamp.com

I love Camp and I've met so many people from many different counties in the area. The past 17 summers have been awesome and I wouldn't trade them for anything else in the world! I plan my summer around that one little week of outdoor fun with no ringing telephones or the sound of tvs, just nature and happy children playing. I can't wait til next year!!!"

~ Heather, adult leader

CAMP RENTALS Trees are coming! Thanks to the generosity of the Camp Improvement Committee, we will be planting more than 60 trees around main camp. Though the trees will be small at first, we anticipate enjoying the shade they will provide for many years to come. Looking for a place to hold your next group event? Our facilities are available for daytime and overnight rentals from March through November. Our facilities are perfect for Church Group Retreats, Day Camps, Planning Meetings, and so much more! Contact Beth for more information wkydirector@kentucky4h.org

CHECK OUT THE VARIETY OF EVENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT CAMP THIS YEAR!
District 6 & 7 4-H Teen Retreat, GPS In-Service, Bremen Elementary Field Trip, Caldwell Co. Elementary Field Trip, Southside Elementary Field Trip, Christian Co. Youth Leadership Kick-Off, Rain Garden In-Service, Ohio County Ag. Camp, CPR In-Service, Hopkinsville High Life Skills Class, Hopkins Co. Environmental Camp, Camp Family Fun Day, Dawson Springs 6th Grade Overnight, 8 Weeks of 4-H Camp, 4-H Cloverbud Camp, Daviess Co. Football Camp, Trigg Co. Youth Leadership Day, Hopkinsville Youth Leadership Retreat, Hopkins Co. Youth Leadership Day, North Drive Middle Environmental Camp, Bardwell Baptist Youth Retreat, Hopkins Co. Adult Leadership Retreat, Earlington Assembly of God Royal Rangers Retreat, WKU Campus Crusade for Christ Retreat, Southeast Christian Jr. Hi Retreat, Christian Co. Environmental Day Camp, Christian Co. Leadership & Enrichment Day Camp, Christian Co. Nature By Numbers

WEST KENTUCKY 4-H CAMP ~ RAISE THE WINDOW ~ Fundraising Campaign

The RAISE THE WINDOW Fundraising Campaign is a fundraising effort to help us replace cabin windows at camp in both the girls and boys cabin areas. Girls Cabin Windows: $1500 (includes 8 new double-hung windows with full screens and painting of all wood trim) Boys Cabin Windows: $4000 (includes 8 new double-hung
boys cabin window replacement

windows with full screens, new wood siding, painting of all woodwork, new front door, & new screen door) We invite individuals and businesses to make a contribution in any amount from $100 to full cost. A plaque will be added to each cabin with names of contributors. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and financial contributions are taxdeductible as allowable by law (receipts will be provided).

Checks should be made payable to: KY 4-H Foundation

MAIL COMPLETED FORM/PAYMENT TO: West Kentucky 4-H Camp, 600 4-H Camp Drive, Dawson Springs, KY 42408 (for more information, please contact Beth Covington at wkydirector@kentucky4h.org)
Individual/Company Name: ______________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
street city/state/zip

Phone: (_______)_________-____________ Amount of Contribution: _________

E-mail: ____________________________________________

Can we recognize you by name on our cabin plaque & website? ___yes ___no

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!