Talent Show Night at Camp

 As is the camp tradition, Thursday night is Talent Show night at Holiday Lake.  This year, we enjoyed a wide variety of acts including dancing, singing, skits, and a reenactment of the extinction of the dinosaurs (you had to be there).  Our campers are a very talented group of 4-Hers.  It takes a lot of confidence to perform in front of a group.   What an awesome way to end our week at camp!

To finish the evening, campers, teens, and staff joined together on the parade field for a candlelight ceremony.  

A wonderful week at camp has come to an end.  We'll see everyone tomorrow.

So What If It Was Raining?

 Wednesday evening, we had a pretty sizeable storm roll through.   The dining hall served as a multipurpose room for the remainder of the evening.  We pulled out board games, coloring sheets, card games, face paint, the Wii - whatever we had - for about a half hour then we had a huge meal of turkey, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, and dressing.  Thanks to the food and nutrition staff for feeding us all week, by the way.

Then on to the evening programming, which was a rousing game of "Bring Me"- ask your camper to explain it to you when you see them tomorrow.  Then, eight gallons of ice cream was scooped out for everyone who wanted a sweet treat!  We had all the fixings to make some delicious sundaes!  Yum!

The highlight of the evening was the black light/glow dance.  Hundreds of glow necklaces and bracelets were distributed and the campers had a great time dancing and enjoyed themselves.  

The campers will be up soon for breakfast, flags, and our last morning of classes.

Wednesday morning check-in

 We're halfway through our week at Holiday Lake and we continued our classes this morning.  Outdoor Living Skills was working on tent building.  One of the Performing Arts classes was preparing for tomorrow night's talent show. The canoes were out on the lake.  Campers in the archery and riflery classes were working on their marksmanship skills.  It's quite warm and humid but we're having fun.  What a great morning!

Up Close with Wildlife at Camp

 On the way to the pool this afternoon, a group of campers stopped to watch a female turtle digging a hole for her eggs.  Although we didn't get to see her lay the eggs, that was a great experience!

For our early evening program, Sarah, a wildlife rehabilitator from the Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary, joined us and shared three of her educational animals with us.  We learned a lot about three native animals:  The Virginia opossum, the box turtle, and the corn snake.  We truly appreciate Sarah travelling from Shipman to be with us this evening.

By the way, a storm did come through today.  All campers were in the dining hall playing board games, doing art projects, and playing the Wii until it was over.  

Exciting Classes at the Lake

 On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, you will find our campers engaged in many different classes.    Tuesday is the day for everyone to "learn the ropes" for the classes and get started learning new and exciting things.

The Holiday Lake Summer Staff leads a majority of the classes such as archery, nature & forestry,  and leathercraft with volunteers and teens leading a variety of other classes such as scuba diving, cooking, and fishing.  Appomattox and Nelson County teen leaders assist with all the classes.  Without the teens, there wouldn't be any classes to enjoy! 

For all of you fishing fans who may be wondering if there's anything to catch at Holiday Lake, this should be proof!

  Good catch!

Monday Evening at Holiday Lake!

After a yummy dinner chicken tenders dinner, camp staff led the campers in a flag lowering ceremony.  4-Hers assist the staff in lowering and folding the 4-H flag, the Virginia flag, and the US flag.  (Flag ceremonies are conducted twice a day - once in the morning to raise them and then each evening to lower them.)

                 

The early evening program was "Carnifield".  Various games were set up on the recreation field for campers to enjoy and earn tickets for their respective groups.  (By the way, our theme this week is "Going Back in Time to Make Camp a Roaring Success!" with dinosaurs as group themes.)  Campers enjoyed everything from face painting to blind musical chairs to soccer and pool noodle toss.

After group meeting and a trip to the camp store, the late evening program was a night swim!  Those campers not wishing to swim had the option of a movie, playing Gau Gau, or playing the Wii.  

Tomorrow morning, we start our first day of classes.   

Appomattox/Nelson 4-H Camp is Underway!

We're off and running!  It was a bit hectic getting all of our campers to camp and unloaded, but with hard work and patience from everyone, everyone was where they needed to be.  After campers settled into their bunks and cabins, the camp staff officially opened camp with introductions and songs.   Lunchtime helped everyone take a breather from the morning excitement before swim tests and camp tours began.  The campers are all looking forward to their first visit to the camp store later today and free recreation time which includes, of course, the pool!

We'll have more pictures for you to enjoy and more updates later!