4-H News
Anna Burgess County Extension Agent

4-H'ers attending camp this year were, from left, back row: Macy Clarke, Tanner Ellison, Steven Brantley, Bryce Lane, Sara Beth Cates, Infiniti Jones, Meranda Glenn, Whitney King, Brandon Cherry, Mark Brannen and Will Dickens; middle row: 4-H program assistant Elaine Lanier, Joeli Lindsey, 4-H agent Anna Burgess, parent volunteer Jimmy Brannen, Renisha Cummings, Byron Williams, Chris Stephens and Lani Arthur; and front row: Trent Lindsey, Robin Boone, Nicole Wilson and Irene Dieteman. Not pictured is David Wade. (Contributed photos)

Early on the morning of July 9, 22 Jenkins County fifth and sixth grade 4-H'ers loaded the bus for Cloverleaf Camp and Wahsega 4-H Center in Dahlonega. After a long trek up the mountains, we finally arrived at a beautiful clearing in a valley. In that clearing sat 16 log cabins, a rec hall, dining hall, creek, waterfall, pond and more outdoor adventure than you can think of!

The week's activities were based on a "hillbilly" theme. When we arrived, the kids signed up in different "families." From that point on they were no longer Jenkins County 4-H'ers; they were either a Clampett, Hatfield, McCoy or McDougal. Before going to camp, I was told by several agents who had been there before that they hoped I didn't mind snakes. Apparently, snakes were everywhere at Wahsega. I thought they were just over exaggerating liked most folks do … until I got there!

Winner of the Hillbilly Costume Contest was Brandon Cherry.

There were literally snakes (non-poisonous and used to kids of course) crawling out of the pond before the kids would jump in!! It beat all I'd ever seen in my life, and the kids were just fascinated by it. I figured they'd be screaming and running but no, they just kept on swimming.

Every morning, the wake up bell would ring about 7 a.m. with flag raising at 7:30 and breakfast at 8. After breakfast, we would break up into our family groups and wait for Papa Bear Derrick to come and visit. Papa Bear was the head counselor who the girls just loved! Afterwards, we had activities such as tubing, climbing the Dangle Duo, flying down the Zip Line or scaling the Rock Wall.

The afternoons were class time and then more adventure with star gazing or campfires at night. Each night there was recreation, such as dances or talent show and costume contest, to give all campers time to just hang out and meet new friends.

On Wednesday night we had a hillbilly costume contest and talent show. Out of the whole camp, our very own, Brandon Cherry won the costume contest!! Congrats Brandon! Finally, after a long day, lights out was at midnight. All of our girls won the Clean Cabin Clover Award. The boys however… well, let's just say they weren't even close!!

Needless to say, the first half of the bus ride home Friday morning was rather quiet. I want to thank Mr. Jewell Williams for driving us up there and back. He had to take time out of his busy schedule and make special trips that were way out of his way in order to get us up there and back safely. He definitely went above and beyond the call of duty as a bus driver. So Mr. Jewell, on behalf of the Jenkins County 4- H and parents, THANK YOU!!

This week, Becca Rich, Charlotte Davis, Adam Lanier and I will be traveling to Atlanta for State Congress. They won district honors at DPA in February and now are going to compete at the state level. Wish them the best of luck and safe traveling.