From the time I started in the 4-H program, I always looked forward to the summer. I couldn’t wait to spend a week at 4-H camp, and one of my fondest memories took place at Camp Pioneer. From making new friends to doing activities and participating in Council Circle (my favorite part), I didn’t realize how much I would miss it until I wasn’t a camper anymore.
4-H camp is a summer program that allows students between the ages of 9 and 21 to participate in a four- or five-day overnight camp. While there, they participate in activities that correspond with the camp’s theme, participate in two classes, work together in tribes that they picked before coming to camp, sing songs, and participate in Council Circle. The first 4-H camp to ever occur happened in Randolph County, West Virginia in 1915. It was not always known as just a 4-H camp held at Camp Pioneer, however, as it was originally called Camp Good Luck. It was located about 20 miles south of Camp Pioneer, where the camp is held now.
The camp looks different from when it first started in 1915. In addition to the new location, there is new housing for the campers and updated amenities. But some things stay the same, such as the traditions, songs, memories, and friendships that happen during those days at camp. The memories and friendships that are created there are friendships that last forever.
Council Circle is a time when all the campers and their tribe, which they pick at the beginning, come together at the end of the day to present the things their tribe came up with. These things include a song, chant, skits, challenges, and so on. Along with the tribes presenting the things they came up with, they also sing songs, play games, and have a lesson to end the day while being around a fire. This is a time when the campers are able to reflect on the events of the day and what they learned.
One of the key aspects of 4-H camp is learning songs because they are sung so often throughout the day and at Council Circle. For example, one popular song, called “Make New Friends,” opens with the following lines:
Make new friends but keep the old
One is silver and the other’s gold
A circle’s round, it never ends
That’s how long you’ll be my friend.
This song is often sung during Council Circle when all the campers are gathered around and sitting next to each other, and everyone is able to see each other.
This song speaks volumes about what everyone gets from 4-H camp. They make friends and memories with new people every year, but they keep their old friends, and the circle gets bigger and bigger. Like circles have no end to them, neither do the friendships that were forged at camp. I am still in contact with the friends from my time participating in 4-H camp, and we often talk about the memories from camp.
Randolph County has two camps in the summer. One is a younger camp for ages starting at 9 years old and goes up to currently enrolled sixth graders and an older camp for currently enrolled seventh graders to the age of 21. For more information about how you can get yourself or your kids involved in 4-H camp or the 4-H program, you can contact Hannah Fincham by calling 304-636-2455 or emailing her at Hannah.Fincham@mail.wvu.edu.
Written by: Summer Turner
Bio: My name is Summer Turner, and I am a student at Davis and Elkins College. I am majoring in Mathematics with a minor in education and writing.
Photo by Summer Turner