Since 1941, children from across the state have had the chance to learn about nature in the mountains of Webster County.

The West Virginia State Conservation Camp offers them a chance to explore the world around them. This year’s camp is scheduled June 9-14 at Camp Caesar on state Route 20 between Cowen and Webster Springs.

“We think it’s the oldest camp of its kind in the nation,” said Mike Hall, West Virginia University Extension Service Agent. “… We’re actually able to get professionals into our camp. It’s a very unique experience.”

The camp is situated at an altitude of 2,500 feet, meaning the weather can be cool at night even though it takes place during the summer. Campers are required to bring bed linens, pillowcases, towels, toiletries and other personal items.

In recent years, the camp normally hosts 110 to 125 kids, Hall said. The camp can handle more if necessary.

Getting to Know Nature

In the early 1940s, some in the state saw a need to teach children about the rich natural resources West Virginia has to offer, Hall said.

“One of our early 4-H leaders thought kids should know about natural resources from the folks who are charged with caring for them,” he said. “He put the camp and staff together.”

When it started, the camp regularly had an estimated 200 to 300 kids, Hall said. That number has dropped in recent years.

“It’s been in the last 10 to 15 years that we’ve seen the numbers start to drop some,” he said. “… There are so many more things for young people to do now — summer sports, summer jobs, family camping. Once we get them in camp, they really enjoy the interaction with our natural resources.”

A Busy Week

Each year, boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 18 who attend the camp take part in a variety of activities, Hall said. They have the chance to interact with natural resource professionals and are able to explore possible careers. They get to learn new skills and meet friends from across the state.

“They have to take one hour of instruction in natural resources management in the morning,” Hall said. “In the afternoon, they have options of different things they can do.”

The morning workshops cover fish management, forest management, protection and products, law enforcement, soil conservation, watershed management, water quality, wildlife management and youth conservation, and more, Hall said.

“One thing that changes is the classes,” Hall said. “They change depending on what the hot topics are at the time.”

Afternoon options include mountain biking, outdoor cooking, archery, small boat handling, trap shooting, marksmanship and rappelling.

Support Across the State

The camp costs $150, but those who register early enough can have that expense paid by scholarships. Most of those who attend the camp receive scholarships, Hall said.

“They are provided by (groups) from their local areas,” Hall said.

The $150 fee covers the cost of food and lodging. Sponsors and others provide those scholarships.

This will be the first year that those who attended the camp in previous years will be allowed to sign up again, Hall said.

“Up until this year, they could only sign up once,” he said. “Since the numbers have been dropping, we considered allowing them to come back.”

This year’s camp sponsors are the West Virginia Division of Forestry, Conservation Education Council, West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service, state Division of Natural Resources, state Division of Parks and Tourism, Bureau of Vocational Education, West Virginia conservation districts, West Virginia Conservation Agency, Natural Resources Service, West Virginia Garden Clubs Inc., Izaak Walton League of America, National Parks Service, National Rifle Association and sportsman clubs around the state.

“We’d like to see as many young people attend as possible,” Hall said.

The registration deadline for this year’s camp is June 1, he said. If there is space, even those who miss that deadline can register.

Information is available online at www.wvconservationcamp.com.