Beech Tree News Network

Butler County students attending 4-H Camp at the Western Kentucky 4-H Camp in Dawson Springs returned home Friday afternoon. 84 students ages 9-13 attended the five day camp. Parents eagerly awaited the arrival of their child at the Butler County Extension Office.

During the camp, students participated in activities and classes throughout the day. Each camper chose to take 4 classes from the 26 offered during the course of the camp. Classes offered included archery, rifle marksmanship, nature, canoeing, boating, horseback riding, and a hair and makeup class.

Lloyd Saylor, who is in his 28th year of serving as County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, said that the Butler County campers and teen leaders had a great time.

"Camp is designed so that the activities are continuous, all day. There's a little cabin-time break in the evening, and there's breaks for meals and snacks, but we go from one activity to another," said Saylor, "We let the campers pick their classes because they'll be a lot happier; some kids just don't want to take archery class."

Campers participated in a different program each evening according to Saylor; Monday night was "Fun and Games", Tuesday night was "Carnival", Wednesday night was "Field Olypmics", and Thursday night's activities were supposed to be "Wet-n-Wild" but inclement weather cancelled the activities. Campers also had the option of going to a dance each evening or watching a movie.

Sarah Meredith said that as an adult leader, the campers are your number one priority. "We tend to every need the campers have. We make sure they're in class, we teach them while they're at class; just basically the campers are your number one priority."

Not only did the campers have fun during the camp, they learned many life-lessons as well. "We introduced the campers to some things that some of them have never met before, like a broom, because while you're at camp you have to clean up after yourself," said Saylor. "Campers learn how to work with others, they learn independence, mastery of some skills, and generosity towards others."

To learn more about the services offered to Butler County youth by the County Extension Office, call 526-3767.

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Photos in gallery by Lloyd Saylor