Hey everyone, it’s Meredith. So I haven’t had much of a chance to write because my summer has been so busy. First I was at Monongalia County 4-H camp which was so much fun! My brother was chief of the Mingo tribe which I’m a part of and he also won the Head H so that was very exciting. Then I came home Friday night, washed my clothes on Saturday and was headed to
Jackson’s Mill on Sunday for Older Members Conference.

OMC is by far my most favorite week of the year and I was so excited to be back. This year there weren’t nearly as many people as normal, mostly due to high gas prices and the economy-may teens must work to help their families out. Even though we were missing so many people, everyone still had the same amount of spirit and enthusiasm about camp!

The theme at camp was “Carpe Confusio,” meaning confusion was our theme. We would spin a wheel to determine the schedule and theme for the day. I think it was hard on the counselors but the campers liked it. It was interesting because you could go in any direction with that theme. We started camp off welcoming in the “Outspoken for 4-H” bike riders who
traveled on their bikes all through the mountains of the state finally reaching Jackson’s Mill. This year many more people took part in the bike ride and they seemed like they had a LOT of fun. Then we continued that night with “The Journey,” the new ceremony replacing High Council and then we all headed off to our cottages to get a good night’s sleep for the week ahead.

Also another wonderful thing that happened for me was that my brother was voted sagamore for our tribe meaning he will be chief next year! My Dad had this same experience 39 years ago, so it is full circle once again for our family in their 4-H experiences and a tender moment for my Dad.

At OMC, we have a speaker each day who talks about an issue then we separate into small groups to talk about our opinions and later we meet back together as a whole camp to have open discussion about the day’s topic. This year we
had very good speakers who addressed many issues we face everyday. The first speaker spoke about the “Access 4-H Program,” which was really cool because it is going to be a website for all 4-Hers nationwide to keep in contact with
each other. Also you can keep track of your community service hours and many other neat things. It should be coming out sometime later this year, so keep an eye out!

Another speaker we had addressed the topic of sexual ethics which is a very popular topic when you are speaking to a bunch of teenagers. So the discussion that day was pretty interesting. She was an Assistant Professor
at West Virginia University and even talked about some of the classes she teaches at WVU.

Another exciting thing that happened was All Star Consecration where many young 4-Hers were awarded with the highest honor in 4-H, their All-Star Pin, for their years of service and dedication to their 4-H life and making the
best better.

On Wednesday, every camper signed up for a certain community service activity and we spent the afternoon cleaning up the place we love, Jackson’s Mill. The jobs varied from mulching gardens to painting the old council circle to picking up trash. Just a few hours of service helps us to be proud of the camp and give back for all the great memories it has given us. Also when you come back the next year, you get to see that what you did really did make a difference to help the camp look its best, which is definitely a
great feeling.

On Thursday, Marlon LeBlanc the Men’s Soccer Coach at WVU, came to speak about diversity and how WVU is starting a program called “One WVU.” This program will help to teach students to accept people that are different from them in anyway and make the school a whole, “One WVU.” I think this is great program and some 4-Hers even volunteered to help make another commercial
for their program so the news can be spread even more. The informal banquet was also Thursday night, which is always a lot of fun. Everyone puts on their best outfit, we have a very delicious dinner, and the award winners from last year give the camp a few words to hold on to. Then the party happens! We all go to the Assembly Hall and dance the night away!

On Friday, the speaker was actually multiple people. It was a few groups of campers who spoke on different topics such as what we can do to “go green” and recycling. With the shape that our environment is in these days, I think it’s very important that our generation learns about the little things we can do to make a difference. Friday night was our last Council Circle but it was by far one of the best I’ve ever been to.

OMC is a wonderful camp and I encourage all of you that have never had a chance to go, come next year.
Those of you that were there this year, come back. Then those of you that used to come, come back as a staff member. Camp is something that will be fun no matter how old you are and 4-H is a lifetime experience. If you are a
4-Her now, you will be forever! =]