by Kate Evans
Around 40 Morgan County Schools upcoming sixth through twelfth graders enjoyed a variety of fun activities at the 11th annual MC After 3 Summer Camp at Cacapon State Park. The free camp started July 22 and runs Monday through Friday until this Friday, August 2 Campers gather from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Activities included horseback riding, boating, daily swimming, fishing, outdoor games, hiking, arts and crafts, Yoga and team-building competitions, said MC After 3 Program Coordinator Summer Goller. Kids also tie-dyed t-shirts and bandanas.
photo by Kate Evans
Teens undertook more structured activities for morning activities and pursued different interests during supervised free time in the afternoons, she said.
Kids could play wiffleball, slip and slide kickball, beach volleyball, water balloon contests, regular kickball and go hiking, Goller said. Sometimes she puts together a scavenger hunt with younger kids. The Cacapon State Park Nature Center also offers some really good programming for them.
About 20 kids registered for camp, with around 15 attending each day as of Wednesday, July 24. Morgan County Schools provides breakfast and lunch for the camp along with limited transportation, Goller said.
Activities, staffing
They always start off camp with their first team-building contest “Anything That Floats,” Goller said. Each team has to build a raft out of items on hand like cardboard, pool noodles and balloons and then race it on the lake with a team member inside. It’s really fun and is always a good opening team-building activity, she noted.
Chief Billy Gillenwater and other Air National Guard members from the 167th Airlift Wing community outreach branch helped with activities and mentored teens during the summer camp.
Andrew Woods (left) was fishing with Air National Guard member Chief Billy Gillenwater (right) at Cacapon State Park Lake during the MC After 3 Summer Camp.
photo by Summer Goller
Amie Tutor of the West Virginia University Extension Family Nutrition Services came to camp to teach Teen Cuisine lessons like making pickles, smoothies, omelets and pancakes. Tutor also worked with kids on food safety basics and knife skills.
Tina Badley from Morgan County Starting Points led some team-building activities with students. Badley also was in charge of the Empower U girls group at camp and worked on leadership activities with them, Goller said. The Morgan County Partnership is also helping to staff the camp.
At the MC After 3 Summer Camp, teens explore new activities and opportunities, make friends and develop positive, mentoring relationships with adults.
Goller said that sometimes kids who attended the MC After 3 Summer Camp many years ago come back to camp and visit.
One of the most rewarding things about camp is watching kids go out of their comfort zone and try new things, Goller said.
