CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Every summer in West Virginia, thousands of children and teenagers attend county and state 4-H camps. For many, camp is their first time away from home, and they learn how to be responsible for themselves (and their belongings) while sharing a cabin with a group of other children their age.

Many campers have never had a chance to try canoeing or tie-dyeing or basketry. They've never hiked or fished or participated in supervised shooting sports. Those fortunate enough to attend 4-H camp will learn about herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles) and raptor rehabilitation, they'll visit an animal refuge, and they'll take part in demonstrations of crafts from our Mountain State heritage.

Campers will attend nightly council circles where members of different "tribes" will perform skits and songs and tell tall tales. For many campers, it will be their first opportunity to meet youth from other parts of the state, and many friendships made at camp (rekindled each summer) continue into adulthood, often lasting a lifetime.

So strong is the connection to camp that many, once they age out as campers, will continue on as counselors.

The Clay County 4-H Camp is held at Camp Sheppard in Gandeeville. For information, contact Karen Nicholas at 304-587-4267 or Karen.Nicho...@mail.wvu.edu.

The Clay County 4-H Camp has requested five full scholarships at $55 each and nine partial scholarships at $25 each.

Credit card donations can be made to the Camp Fund by clicking on the Camp Fund logo on the Gazette's website, or at http://wvgazette.com/home/Camp. Donations can also be mailed to the Gazette Charities Send-A-Child-To-Camp Fund, 1001 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV  25301.