Wednesday Night Fun

With such great weather, happy campers, and hard working teens and adults, this week has flown by! Last night featured a dance and outdoor recreation for kids. Here are some photos you might enjoy.

Goldfish, Earl, and Blu-berry were hanging out by the pool. There *might* have been some other counselors nearby who got a little wet by these three's shenanigans, but we'll never tell.

The dance was a rockin' place to be and featured a couple special performances by Chorus, one of our teen counselors on vocals and guitar.

Nine-square-in-the-air was a popular game and there was always a line of kids to rotate through.

Chess offered a chance for the meeting of the minds.

And then there was the game of Life...

Gaga. Camp kids (and teens and adults) go crazy for gaga. We obviously can create a makeshift pit wherever needed.

Required Statements Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120

Wednesday Class Reports

All of the 4-H camp classes are designed in a way that each day builds on a skill learned the day before. Today we share with you photos of some of the things offered during camp. 

High ropes is a great class for pushing oneself to learn, set goals, and achieve things once thought not possible. The NOVA 4-H Center's challenge course is also open to user groups like corporate retreats, civic organizations, and other groups who seek a teambuilding challenge. 

Checking out the tree canopy on the zipline through the forest.

Working together in the Low Ropes course to achieve a common goal.

Learning about surface tension and surfactants in Wacky Science class.

An attempt to walk on one dozen eggs, also in Wacky Science class.

Using rocks and weights to test those principles of "egg design", too.

Learning to assemble a candy dispenser in woodworking class.

Getting woodburning tool assistance from the Great Bear.

We've had wonderful adult volunteers to help our campers with their projects.

Required Statements Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120

Tuesday Starts with Polar Bear Swim

A couple of years ago, we started what has become a tradition: the polar bear swim. Kids can choose to be awakened early and go to the pool for a quick dip. In the past couple of years, it's been so hot that the swim was warm, not chilly, as hoped. 

Well...2016 was different! It was cool this morning, and campers had fun guessing how many "bags of ice" we added to the pool after they went to sleep last night. That rumor was one we just chose not to dispel. :) 

As the sun came up, our campers jumped in. Check out our Facebook page for a video. 

The high ropes class tackled the climbing wall today.

Woodworking class is making a candy dispenser.

Here's a design from T-shirt art.

Preparing to tie dye. Zip ties work so much better than rubber bands!

Creating decorative pennants in arts and crafts.

FCCs (Future Camp Counselors) working on teambuilding skills.

Required Statements Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120

A Great First Full Day of Camp!

We are having the best weather we've had in 15 years at camp! We are not taking it for granted for one second. It's been sunny and breezy here today, and the dorms actually got COOL last night!!! When was the last time that happened?!? We can't remember!

Here are some action shots of our day so far. :)

After breakfast, we raised flags and said the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge.

Today's Spirit Day was Tacky Tourists, so campers who participated helped their packs earn bear claws.

Outdoor Living Skills participants went on a hike.

 Campfire cooking students learned to chop vegetables.

 Low ropes class offered team challenges on the ground.

It was a beautiful day for canoeing on Lake Culpeper. 

Baking class participants made butterscotch and chocolate chip cookies.

Enjoying the sunshine in Low Ropes.

Making checkerboards in Duct Tape class.

Stormy preparing a mock-up dreamcatcher for tomorrow's class.

Very creative tic tac toe boards in Arts & Crafts class.

Playing Tetrus using playdough controllers in Create, Innovate, & Solve.

The room smelled so good in Day Spa as they crafted their own lotions and scents with Applejacks' and Trisha's help!

Wacky Science class using magnets to test for iron in corn flakes and Total cereals.

Part two of the cereal experiment when soaked in water. Conclusion: the cereal containing 100% of the recommended daily allowance of iron did in fact show more movement when wanded with a magnet. 

Step one of batik painted shirts in T-shirt Art class: applying the glue. 

Back to Wacky Science as they denatured milk proteins.

Participants were surprised at how stretchy the "milk" became with a little vinegar and heat. 

But it was also stinky! :)

Some chose to make duct tape art or tissue paper flowers during Rec. 

And then there were several fast-paced games of the 4-H camp favorite -- gau gau. 

Required Statements Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120

A Great First Night of Camp

Sunday evening turned out to be a great night and a smooth start to Camp 2016. 

The required swim tests were integrated into a pool party, complete with music, popcorn, and games. 

 Like cornhole.

 And nine-square (a mix of four-square and volleyball!).

 Face painting. :)

 The water felt great, too, getting two thumbs up!

  K-Unit got squished in a wet hug by Gazelle and Barbie.

 The diving board was a popular place to play.

 The camp goal is to meet two friends each day, so these ladies got an early start.

 Superman, Fall, and Spring helped with face painting, including each other!

Campfire was special as each pack's Little Bear was recognized and our local Great Bears (teens) led the tradition. 

Required Statements Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disbility, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments. If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in any of these advertised activities, please contact the Madison Extension Office at 540-948-6881/TDD* during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. *TDD number is 800-828-1120