Clover Scene Investigation 2007 theme of 4-H youth camp

C.S.I. – Clover Scene Investigation was the 2007 theme of the Northwest Missouri Regional 4-H youth camp at Crowder State Park, Trenton, during the weeks of June 5-8 and June 12-15.

C.S.I. – Clover Scene Investigation was the 2007 theme of the Northwest Missouri Regional 4-H youth camp at Crowder State Park, Trenton, during the weeks of June 5-8 and June 12-15.

The camp activities for the 187 4-H youth, ages 8-13, included canoeing, swimming at Trenton Aquatic Center, Geo Caching, frisbee golf, paintball, and cabin challenges with scavenger hunts and 4-way tug of war games throughout the camp sessions.

Special evening guest speakers, detective Robert Delameter, Kansas City Police and Sgt. Sidney Lyons, Missouri Highway Patrol, gave campers insight into investigative law enforcement techniques. Jeff Birti and Jim Palmer, Missouri Department of Conservation, presented sessions on the enforcement of our Missouri wildlife codes. Bob Teegarden, retired 4-H Youth Specialist, taught leather crafts in the day sessions and was the camp disc jockey for the traditional evening dances on the ‘slab’ before the evening campfire as he has done for the past 37 years, the last seven years as a volunteer.

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, the older teens have looked forward to the year in which they make the transition from camper to counselor with 45 teens getting that opportunity during the two weeks of the 2007 camp.

Justin Derks, first year camp counselor from Gentry County summed up camp: "You really have to work hard NOT to have fun at 4-H camp!" 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.

Campers attending from Daviess County included: Megan Beck, Kelsey Bird, Kourtney Bird, Breanne Brammer, Dane Brammer, Maryl Champman, Maile Cook, Kristen Critten, Kaley Cox, Megan Ellis, Ashley Huffman, Danielle Ness, and Abby Porter. Also attending as counselors were Savannah Cox, Bailey Hixson and Wren Tolen.

4-H program is available to youth, ages 8-18, through the University of Missouri Extension. Children, ages 5-7, can be enrolled in Clover Kids, a non-competitive and exploratory 4-H membership. Please contact your local Extension office for more information.