More than 50 youth, teen leaders and adult volunteers from Craig, Roanoke and Giles counties took part in the 2025 Junior 4-H Camp this summer at the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Center in Wirtz.
Held in late June, the camp gave young people a chance to build friendships, develop life skills and experience new activities ranging from kayaking and high ropes courses to talent shows, themed competitions, dances and campfires.
Campers also took part in daily programs built around the six pillars of character — trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship — and practiced key life lessons such as teamwork, patriotism and sportsmanship.
Teen counselors and counselors-in-training played a vital role, serving as mentors and leaders throughout the week. Craig County teens led or assisted in classes on bracelet making, card games, small engines, rocketry, cooking and more. They also helped with swim safety, recreational supervision and pack competitions.
“Teens not only gained leadership experience, but they also encouraged younger campers and provided support, especially for those missing home,” organizers said.
The 2025 Junior 4-H Camp would not have been possible without the support of community members, organizations and volunteers. Local adult volunteers included Frances Foster, George Foster, Crystal Parker, Sally Farrell and Josh Mitchell. Teen counselors were Austin Fowler, Alivia Fowler, Elyssa Dewease, Aspirah Rutrough, Damien Smith, Dreydin Smith, Isaac Foster and Simon Weyant. Counselors-in-training were Maria Foster, Kylie Blankenship, Hunter McClanahan, Nathan Blankenship, Easton Geister and Keaton Foster.
Organizers also expressed gratitude to numerous individuals, churches, businesses and foundations that contributed to the Craig County Junior 4-H Camp Scholarship Fund. Donors included:
Mrs. Marilyn Barnes
Mrs. Hazel Beeler
Bethel United Methodist Church
Charlton Associates
Craig County Fairgrounds Association
Craig County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee
Craig County Health & Dental Center
Craig Healing Springs Christian Church
Crawford Oil Company
Cross Roads Christian Church
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Craig County
Mr. and Mrs. Lanier Frantz
The Dorothy Cate & Thomas F. Frist Foundation (Sen. Bill and Tracy Frist)
Blair and Erica Jones
Market Street Pharmacy
Maywood Garden Club
Mountain Castles Soil & Water Conservation District
New Castle Christian Church
New Castle Garden Club
New Castle United Methodist Church
Paitsel Funeral Home
Mrs. Cole Frantz Semones
Sisson & Ryan Quarry, LLC
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Smith
Deborah D. Snead
Mrs. Mildred Wingate
Nadine C. Allen Excellence Fund
Arthur Taubman Scholarship Fund
Farrier Funds
Lester Funds
Smith Mountain Lake General Funds
John T. Skelton Funds
Additional thanks went to the Craig County School Board for providing school buses, George Foster and Kay Hutchison for driving, and the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Craig County for sponsoring a full camp scholarship and covering bus driver fees. Jacob Swanson also volunteered time and resources to transport camper luggage.
Organizers extended heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the success of this year’s camp.
For more information about 4-H programs in Craig County, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension office at (540) 864-5812.
-The New Castle Record
