“CSI: Clover Scene Investiga-tion” was the theme of the 2007 Northwest Missouri Regional 4-H Youth Camp, held at Crowder State Park during the weeks of June 5-8 and June 12-15.
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The camp activities for the 187 4-H youth ages eight to 13 included canoeing, swimming at the Trenton Aquatic Center, Geo Caching, frisbee golf, paintball and cabin challenges with scavenger hunts and four-way tug-of-way games throughout the camp sessions. Special evening speakers included Det. Robert Delameter of the Kansas City Police Department, and Sgt. Sheldon Lyons of the Missouri Highway Patrol. The two gave campers insight into investigative law enforcement techniques. Jeff Berti and Jim Palmer of the Missouri Department of Conservation presented sessions on the enforcement of Missouri wildlife codes. As he has done for the past 37 years (the last seven as a volunteer) Bob Teegarden, a retired 4-H youth specialist, taught leathercrafts in the day sessions and was the camp disc jockey for the traditional evening dances on the “slab” before evening campfire.
Developing life skills, meeting new friends and having a great time are the goals of the staff in planning the annual 4-H Regional camp. Teen counselors develop leadership skills throughout their week of cabin supervision, being a group leader and the ultimate role model for the campers. Typically, older teens have looked forward to the year in which they make the transition from camper to counselor, with 45 teens getting that opportunity this year. Justin Derks, a first-year camp counselor from Gentry County summed up camp.
“You really have to work hard not to have fun at 4-H camp!” he said.
Being away from home for camp is a challenge for youth and the staff felt fortunate that there were no extreme cases of the “homesick bug” during the 2007 camps.
The Soil and Water Districts of the Northwest Region provided financial support to purchase camp water bottles for each camper.
4-H programs are available to youth ages eight to 18 through the University of Missouri Extension. Children ages five to seven can be enrolled in Clover Kids, a non-competitive and exploratory 4-H membership. For more information, persons can contact the Grundy County Extension Office at 359-5643.