Dutch Palace Happenings

Summer Staff 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:37:00 +0000

Sam is the Center Director and has been the cornerstone of the SWVA 4-H Center for the better of two decades. Her leadership and knowledge of camp shows through the staff and the camping program. You can find her all around camp and is all knowing of the happenings around camp. Her love of children shows through her actions and through the rigorous training of the staff. This year was a reaccreditation year for the American Camp Association and SWVA passed with flying colors with Sam in charge.

Fun Info:
Camp name - Sam
Favorite soda - Diet Mountain Dew
Hobbies - Golf, Movies and Camp

Win is in his 5^th year as the Program Director. This is a year around position where he leads and facilitates programs throughout the year in addition to camp. He would like to dedicate this summer to his new wife that he married just weeks ago. He is no stranger to Virginia 4-H camping as he was a staff member at the NOVA 4-H Center for many years. He has brought new traditions as well as a great singing voice to camp. Between he and Sam they try their hardest to train the staff and make it special for every camper that comes through the SWVA 4-H Center.

Fun info:

Camp Name – Skadoosh
Favorite meal at camp – Chicken Legs
Favorite memory from camp – making up songs and voices for people

Jason is back this year as the Administrative Assistant. He is in his 17^th year of camping here at the SWVA 4-H center. He is currently attending Liberty University where he is studying Master of Arts in Student Ministries. He tries to make camp special by doing what he can to make campers feel like they are the most important person here. His years of experience and being on staff make him a great asset in the Administrative Assistant role. When he’s not at camp he enjoys his mama’s cooking, golfing and watching the Tarheels play.

Fun info:

Camp name – Zyrtec
Favorite meal at camp – Biscuits & Gravy
Favorite activity at camp – 4-Square
Favorite Camp Song – Stay on the Happy Side

Heather is in her 4^th year of being on staff and has taken on the rewarding chore of being the camp medical representative. If the camper needs medicine or is sick she is the first stop. In her previous years on staff she was the broadcast journalism instructor and the Administrative Assistant. She is currently attending Radford University where she is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She loves camp because she gets to be silly, hangout and meet new people and have fun with the campers. Learning the campers names and listening to them when they speak is the key to how to make camp special for the kids. She also just loves camp and will do just about anything to make the campers love it as much as she does.

Fun info:

Camp Name – Gravy
Favorite meal at camp – Biscuits and Gravy
Favorite food outside of camp – Salmon patties

Nikki is joining us again for her 4^th summer on staff. This year she is the camp store clerk and is instructing the CIT Leadership Class. She is originally from Lee County and is currently attending ETSU. She is studying Parks and Recreation Management which comes in handy while working at camp. She thinks that when you connect with a camper you can bring out an extra amount of energy from them and put yourself into the part of a role model. You can find Nikki doing weird and funny things to make the kids laugh and loosen up, especially at meals. One of her favorite camp memories is where she learned new things from a camper while instructing one of her classes. She isn’t afraid of trying new things at camp while keeping the old traditions alive!

Fun Info:

Camp Name - Nikki Woo Woo
Hobbies – Eating, Yoga and talking about camp
Things she buys most out of the camp store - Mountain Dew and Fruit Bars
Favorite activity at camp - DANCES

Judith is from Chilhowie, Virginia and this is her second summer on staff. This year she is teaching Performing Arts and CIT Leadership. Although she is only in her second year on staff this is her 11^th summer attending camp at SWVA. She is currently attending Radford University where she is Studying Elementary Education. Some of the things she loves about camp is Chicken Nugget Day, being here for the campers and the orange sodas out of the camp store. She makes camp special for campers by focusing on their strengths and talents in order to make them feel better about themselves. Some of her favorite memories from camp is from some former staff members. (Particularly a certain lifeguard). She thinks that SWVA 4-h Center has a certain magic about it and is eager to pass it on to campers.

Fun Info :

Camp name – Jazz

Favorite Camp Shirt – 2008 tie-dye camp staff shirt

Favorite Ice cream – Moosetracks

Song that she loves to lead – I love the Mountains

Paul is back in his 11^th year at camp and 3^rd year on staff. He is back at his post as the Lego Robotics instructor. He is from Wythe County where he attended camp as a camper and teen volunteer. He also volunteered at camp with other counties. He attends Radford University where he is majoring in communication sciences. He started being an active 4-Her at his 2^nd year at camp when an adult volunteer signed him up for the mixed up beauty contest and has been hooked on 4-H ever since. He things that the key to making camp special for the campers is making the small efforts and connecting with the campers. His original personality and his passion for gau-gau and the SWVA 4-H center makes him a great addition to the staff.

Fun Info:

Camp name – Paulie Walnuts
Favorite Camp Meal – Tator tots
Favorite snack item – Fruit Bars
Camp Song that he loves – Green Grass or Pass it on

Aaron is back again for his second year on staff. This year he is instructing the Broadcast Journalism class. He is a resident of Russell County and attends ETSU where he is majoring in History. He tries to make camp special for the kids by keeping them excited and teaching new skills. He love the feeling of teaching the campers new methods and seeing the interaction between them. One of his favorite memories was attending State Staff Training where he was able to interact and learn from 4-H staff members across the state. Aaron’s bright personality is a hit with the campers and he is one fun staff member to have aboard.

Fun info:

Camp Name – Cha Cha

Favorite Dance – Cha Cha Slide

Hobbies outside of camp – model roalroading, swimming and football

Laura comes from Pulaski and is a Student at Virginia Tech. This is her second year on staff as the High flying 4-Hers instructor. Here she is in charge of Rappelling , Zipline and Climbing wall. She is a lively character and a great asset to the summer staff. She has been a 4-Her since she was very small and attended SWVA 4-H camp when her mother was the 4-H agent for Wythe County. She knows her songs and she knows how to help make camp great.

Fun Info:

Camp Name – Beaner
Favorite Camp Song – Bazooka Bubble Gum
Fun things to do outside of camp – Movies and lying in the grass

Nicole is from Marion in Smyth County and is excited to join the staff after many years of being a cabin counselor. She is one of our Swimming instructors and lifeguards. Her bright personality impacts every activity that she is involved. It is great to have her on staff.

Fun Info:
Camp Name – Weezy
Likes to lay out in the sun
Playing 4 square and loves to lead grace songs for meals

Ashley comes from Lebanon, Virginia where she has been a volunteer with Russell County 4-H for many years. She is attending Virginia Tech where she is studying Ag and Animal Sciences. She is instructing the swimming class and Lifeguarding for the summer. She believes in close interaction with campers for them to have a great week of camp. She keeps coming back to camp so she can give back to the program that has given her so much through the years.

Fun Info:

Camp Name – Gunpowder Gurtie

Hobbies: Anything with horses

Favorite camp song – Boom Chicka Boom

Cubby joins us for his first year on staff as the Shooting Education Instructor. Cubby comes from the greater Rural Retreat area in Wythe County. He has been a camper and volunteer for Wythe County 4-H camp for 9 years, so he is no stranger to camp. He also has volunteered as a cabin counselor for other counties in the past. Cubby will be attending Radford University in the fall where he is majoring in biology. Bringing enthusiasm and loving to work with kids is something that Cubby believes and brings to the camp. He also does whatever he can to make camp amazing for them. This is because he believes that camp is a place where someone can be truly accepted and feel like they belong.

Fun Info:

Camp Name – Tango
Favorite activity – Campfire!
Favorite Song – sardines
Favorite Fruit – Mangos or bananas

Amanda joins us for her first year on staff as the Archery instructor. She hails from Carroll County where she attended 4-H camp with them for 6 years before joining the SWVA Summer staff team. She is currently attending Wytheville Community College and is getting the General Education credits down while she decides her major. She loves to make jokes with the campers and talks with them in order to make it special. Amanda thinks that the difference between an average staff member and a great one is taking the initiative to do more than what you are told. Outside of camp you can find Amanda playing sports and hanging with her friends.

Fun Info:

Camp name – Mator

Love most about camp - making kids smile

Favorite soft drink – Diet Mountain Dew

Song most likely to Lead – Bear Hunt

Kelsey is currently in her first year on staff as well as her first year camping with SWVA 4-H Center, but don’t hold that against her. She brings an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm, not to mention her pet lop bunny Reggie, to camp. She is originally from Wise county and is attending Virginia Tech where she is studying Wildlife Sciences. She loves to swim and be outside. She thinks that talking to campers and connecting with them is a key to make camp special for each and every one of them.

Fun Info:

Camp name – Skrat
What she loves about camp – the well behaved children
Favorite snack – Sweet Tarts
Favorite camp memory so far – Something about Fishing and a toilet

Hannah is in her 10^th year attending SWVA 4-H Camp and is in her first year of being on staff. She has taken on the challenge of being the Low Ropes instructor. She comes from Lee county where she was a camper and a teen leader. She will be attending ETSU in the Fall where her major is Pre-Med. While at camp she thinks that taking the time to talk to campers and get them involved can make the difference for them. She keeps coming back to SWVA because it’s a second home to her.

Fun info:

Camp name: Sunshine

Favorite Fruit – Crunchy Apples

Favorite meal – Home cooked Baked apples

Favorite Activity at camp - Singing

Ethan is our part-time Lifeguard and is a native here in Washington County. He has been apart of SWVA 4-H for 8 years as a camper and teen. He is all about some 4-H and participates in it whenever he can. He just loves every aspect about camp. He brings with him a certain goofyness and charisma that makes him a great addition to the staff.

Fun info:

Camp name – Puddles

Favorite song at camp – There was a moose

Favorite Snack – Oreos and a gallon of milk

Why you wanted to work at the 4-H center – the kids and the staff.

These are the profiles for our 2009 Summer Staff. We will be doing these profiles for future summers and posting it both here and creating a space for it on our website. This is just another way for county camps and for parents to know a little about the summer staff that will be working with the campers. I hope you enjoyed these profiles of the 2009 Summer Staff.

Smyth 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:17:00 +0000

I took this pic austin m!!!!!

hi cute bunny katlyn d bunny name is reggie

Natasha is so silly ! AngelicaG

Smyth 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:05:00 +0000

Everyone in front of Russell Hall!! Bonnie R.

Squirt and SquirtJ.!!! AbigailS.

Mary and Caleb at small animals! Madison L.

Mater teaching archery!!! Madison S.

yay were havin fun w/bo peep!! abigail b.

Dickenson/Lee 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Skrat teaching everyone how to tell trees apart. Jamie

Sorry officer for whatever I done! Hagan

Stop fooling around and have fun in the sun. Hagan

4-h is out of sight. Jamie

Whole camp picture. Kayla

Dickenson/Lee 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Here's April, one of my happy campers. Breanna

Sara and Brianna worked hard on their shirts! -Julie.

Look,they're trying to get the stick. Sydney

Chandra with a water gun. Hayley

This is Amber eating at outdoor cookery. Allie

Jazz and her stars on stage class. Tessa

Austin eating ice cream LOL! Brooke

Dickenson/Lee 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Definitely doing this next year. Austin

Kaylee & Taylor. Asia

The pool is awesome! Gabi

I love this game. Sarah

This is my favorite game to play at camp. Austin

Love the hair. Tia

She is my best friend and she is the coolest girl. Kimberlee

4-H Camp

ciden@vt.edu — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:26:00 +0000

4-H Camp

ciden@vt.edu — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Tazewell 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:15:00 +0000

The journalism broadcasting team leaving the challenge course. Andrew
Bingo is crazy. Alex
Partying is fun. Madison
Let's party. Sabrina
Kaitlyn Ariona and Destiny swimming. Kaitlyn
This is Kaitlyn and Hannah swimming in the pool. Kendra

Tazwell 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:01:00 +0000

Horsemanship class.Morgan R.

Oh no! Weezy fell asleep while diving! Caitlen P.

Look how low they can go. Caitlyn

1,2,3 Splash!! Onnika

Shooting Ed. looks like so much fun! I wish I was that talented!<3Izzy

Dive and splash in a pool. Indalea

Reggie the rabbit. Summer C.

Tango at Shutting Education. Samantha C

Fun with LEGO robotics. Doug

Tazewell 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:06:00 +0000

The cutest couple!!!! Rachel;-]

Three fabulous chicas!! Kaley =]

Teen leaders and staff dancing together. Lyndsie

Food For Fun class making mini pizzas.Madison

John dancing on Hawaiin night. Reagan

teen learders at hawaiin night at 4h camp. aaron

This is the Zip Lining class , it kind of looks scary. Olivia

Buc/Wise2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:14:00 +0000

The Tin Punch class showing 4-H pride. Jaymee & Seth

Rock Climbing is really alot of fun. Austin and Alexander

Hunter eating something metal. Kadie, Savanna, and Skyler

TanGo is very funny and crazy!!!!! Gabby and Konstance

Beans and CHris rock climbing. Sydney

Russell/Scott Podcast 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:59:00 +0000

Russell/Scott 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:05:00 +0000

The 4-H barn:-) Kali

4-Square is fun. Me Sarah,Brooklyn,and Mac.

Mac

4-H fun! Dru-Ann

Next year we are teen leaders! Brooklyn

Skrat looks so cool when she smiles like that.MakenzeB.

Look it's a dog how cool it's so cute. ryan

Russell/Scott 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:47:00 +0000

CNN (camp news network) having fun. Tiffany H.

Splish splash. Savanna P.

Having fun at volleyball.savanna P.

tyler p

Kianna sitting at the shooting range lots of fun. Samantha J.

Paully Walnuts and Tango havn fun at Russell Hall. Tiffany

Russell/Scott 2009

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:07:00 +0000

Smile horsey smile. Taking a snooze. Candice& Kelsey&Lance

Swimming in the cement pond is a great way to cool off. Eva & Alysa

We kids have alot of fun taken out our anger and hitting kids with the ball with the smily face. Jeremy(I'm the one in black)

Carroll/Grayson 2009 Podcast

ciden@vt.edu — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:16:00 +0000

Carroll/Grayson June1-June5

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:43:00 +0000

I like this picture because iI like fishing a lot and you can catch big fish.

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:39:00 +0000

I luv horses!!!!! Autumn.

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:33:00 +0000

4-H camp rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By.Jarred P.

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:29:00 +0000

The freindship circle has words that say health,heart,hands , and head. Josh

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Wow Bailey that's a pretty tree!Rachel

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:20:00 +0000

I love horses and the only reason i didn't take beg. horsemanship is because it was beg. and i've been riding horses since i was a little girl. Allison

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:12:00 +0000

Today,which is Thursday, every one rode around in the arena. Aliyah

Carroll/Grayson June1-June5

ciden@vt.edu — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Kids on the move is a very fun class because you get to play games like 4 square, basketball and frisbee golf. Aaron