End of January...

The final week of January is upon us and so begins the exodus of sportsmen who seek the inner banks of North Carolina as their winter hideaway. As soon as the summer ends and fall begins, the quaint hotels and bed & breakfasts are charged with birders, hunters, fishers, and even surfers. Now that the weather and water is to cold for the surfers, they head back to the big city. The expiration or hunting season sends all of the brave bear hunters, hardy waterfowlers, and seasoned deer hunters back to their respective burgs outside of our little slice of heaven. Farmers are beginning to warm up the tractors, and with the spring rains comes the spring planting season. This time of year, Tyrrell County entertains few visitors, but most notably the Tundra Swan. For those of you who have never seen a wild swan - it is a sight to behold. The bird is the size of an average 9 year old and twice as raucous! Here at the Center, we are enjoying a peaceful stretch this last week, but will kick-off as soon as February appears on our desktop calendars. On February 3, we will be hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross...please donate blood! While many are skittish around needles (like me), the demand for stocked blood banks is high. There are many wonderful ways to help save a life, and giving blood is one of those...some come by, give blood, have refreshments (try Ms. Mittie's pimento cheese!), and feel good about what you do!

IT'S FRIDAY...After a tough week of cold temperatures and snow we are finally back in the swing of things. Everyone is planning and preparing for the Wedding Show that we will be hosting on February 8, 2009. We still have some booth openings...if you know any Dee-Jays, Cake-bakers, or Picture-makers please send them our way...this will be a great show intended to fill the space between the big Greenville show and the OBX wedding show. Admission for visitors is only $5 and booths are available at a very reasonable rate, too. Enjoy your weekend!

Chase

Snow Days

It's been a while since the last Blog....only because we had 5" of snow! The snow kept everyone at home and out of the office. The "white stuff" was a site to behold, especially as the sound's waves broke on our shore. Temperatures dipped into the low teens, keeping the snow around for a couple of days. Alas, we are back now and ready to resume our duties. The website (www.eastern4hcenter.org) is undergoing some additions and will be ready soon. Please keep posted by checking out this blog or the website. The Youth Swan Hunt was a success, with many guys getting their first swan...I am sure there are some proud parents! Special thanks go to Wildlife Resource Officers and Guides on the hunt...a lot of hard work went into this event. This week we welcome the National Wild Turkey Federation...they to will be attempting to harvest swans with their special permits...Good Luck!

Advisory Board Meeting and Cold Temps...

Today, the Center's Advisory Board met...Mr. Joe Landino, who served as President of the Board for a number of years turned over his duties to Mr. Eddie Lynch of Embarq. We thank Mr. Landino for his dedication to the Center throughout his tenure! It is also great to see Mr. Lynch excited about his new role. Our Advisory Board is very active and helpful with many events, namely Dock of the Bay. the Dock of the Bay is our Annual Fundraiser - it features a Silent Auction, live music from a famous "beach" band, and amazing food. We also raffle off a John Deere riding mower. If you have never been to the event, you should consider it...it is quickly becoming THE EVENT in May for our region. The proceeds from the event also help pay for camper scholarships!

Oh yeah...it is SO COLD outside today. In fact, we are about to encounter 36 hours of subfreezing temperatures!!!!! These temps will be fun for our visiting group this weekend - The North Carolina Wildlife Commission is sponsoring a Youth Swan Hunt for this weekend...all of these lucky kids are using the Center's cabins for their "headquarters!" Thank goodness our cabins are climate controlled...we can really keep them warm at night on these frigid evenings! Stay Warm...

Summer Schedule Released!

Until we get our *NEW* registration packets on our website (www.eastern4hcenter.org) I have included these camp descriptions for all you folks out there who are ready to make your summer plans...if you would like a registration packet before it is available on the website, just email me at chase_luker@ncsu.edu for an immediate response!

Here are the descriptions:

4-H Summer Camp - There's no better way for a child to spend the summer than kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, learning about nature, performing skits, perfecting archery skills and forging new friendships! The Eastern 4-H Center's traditional summer camp program does all of this an more....our Team Challenge Course is a wonderful way for campers to improve communication and cooperation skills. Couple this with well-trained counselors and instructors and you have the recipe for a memorable summer! 4-H Summer Camp is designed for 8-12 year old kids and is available June 21-26 and June 28-July 3. 4-H Summer Camp is $415 for the entire week.

4-H Adventure camp is offered to oour 13 and 14 year old campers. Designed to provide more mature camper a wildreness experience, participants lear how to build campfires, manage a campsite, cook over an open flame, and implement basic navigation and survival skills, all under the watchful guise of well-qualified instructors. Near the end of the week, participants participate in an overnight canoe trip and campout along the banks of the meandering and scenic Suppernong River. Excellent staff members accompany campers throughout the weeks to facilitate new friendships and build wilderness skills. 4-H Adventure Camp is offered June 21-26 and July 28-July 3. Just like 4-H Summer Camp, Adventure Camp is only $415 for the week.

Cloverbud Camp
Are you looking for that first "stay-away" camp for your 5-8 year old. Cloverbud Camp at the Eastern 4-H Center is perfect! Smaller ratios of staff to campers provide youngsters the special attention and care they deserve. Cloverbud Campers participate in all of the "big kid" activities like canoeing and kayaking, swimming, rock climbing, sports & games, and our fun array of evening programs. Cloverbud camp will be held July 19-23, 2009. Cloverbud Camp is $250 for the 5 day, 4 night experience.

Marine Science and Sailing Camp
The beautiful Albemarle Sound serves as the backdrop for this amazing camp designed for 12-17 year old campers. Sailing in the sound is led by a talented and experienced instructor. The warm shallow waters of the sound make this both safe and enjoyable for all participants. Marine Science initiatives are instructed throughout the week...campers learn about coastal forestry, hurricanes, fish , and sea mammals. Marine Science and Sailing Camp is offered July 19-24. At only $425, Marine Science and Sailing remains as one of our most popular camps!

Camp Canvasback
Camp canvasback is a great summer program that encourages and educates young outdoor enthusiasts on waterfowl conservation. Teenage girls and boys participate in activities that help them understand waterfowl biology, wetland ecology, hunting techniques, and other conservation practices. First-year campers will acquire their Hunter Education Card, which is required for hunting in North Carolina! The Camp consists of a 4-year tract, with campers progressing to the next tract the following year to build on previously learned skills. Skills that campers will learn will include Shotgun Safety & Care, Waterfowl ID, Duck Bling Construction, GPS Navigation, Boat & Water Safety, and First Aid. Camp Canvasback would not be possible without the gracious and continuing support of our partners - the North Carolina Waterfowl Association and the North Carolina Resource Commission. These partnerships make this a top-notch experience. Camp Canvasback is offered to 12-17 year old campers and is scheduled for July 19-24. The cost of Camp Canvasback is $450, and there are scholarships available...please call us at 252.797.4800 to find out more!

Takeoff 4-Health
Not your typical Healthy weight camp...the ECU Brody School of Medicine's Pediatric Healthy Weight Clinic and the Eastern 4-H Center provide a fun, educational, and healthy 3 week long summer camp experience to 12-18 year old participants. Campers participate in water aerobics, instructional dancing, sports & games, target sports, ecology, and many other outdoor pursuits. Weel-planned meals alow for campers to make health conscious decisions throughout the course of camp. An excellent medical staff is always on tap to ensure comfortable participation. Educational activities are instructed by experts in nutrition and exercise. Takeoff 4-Health is available July 26-August 14, 2009.

Operation Purple Camp
Operation Purple Camp is offered to children of deployed and deploying military families. This camp offers full "camperships" and includes the same activities as our traditional Summer Camp program. More information about Operation Purple Camp will be available as soon as new activities are designed! Operation Purple Camp will be held June 14-19 and July 5-10. Operation Purple Camp has scholarships available...please call us at 252.797.4800 to discuss this special opportunity for your military family!

Well...there you have it. I hope that our summer residential camp descriptions can help you make a great decision for your children this summer. We look forward to meeting you and your children! Please stay tuned-in to our blog to catch the latest news and updates at the Eastern 4-H Center. Also...you can contact us anytime by phone at 252.797.4800!

This week at the Eastern 4-H Center....

Wow...this will be a busy week for everyone at the Center! Many of us have meetings throughout the week. Some of the meetings are planning meetings for the Edenton Music & Water Festival (which is usually the 2nd weekend in June). Meetings with local chambers and tourism boards also fill the planners of Center staff members this week. The Center is also hosting the "Relay for Life" Kick-Off dinner on Tuesday night. And, of course, the center has a "Team." We have several fund raisers planned, and as time approaches I will let everyone know all about them. The Edenton Music & Water Festival is a really cool event. The Center provides lifeguards and boating instructors for the annual kayak race, and then hosts a free clinic for the town residents on basic canoeing and kayaking. I hope everybody is keeping warm this week, as we expect some FRIGID temperatures this week!

Favorite Place or Thing at Camp?

What's your's...mine is the area behind the back campsite - really scary!

COLD Temperatures

Fortunately, when most people visit the Eastern 4-H Center, the temperature is warm (or HOT). Today, the temperature is a bone chilling 30 degrees...that, with the 15 mile per hour wind makes it nearly unbearable. The trees around the Center that are normally lush throughout the spring and summer are now completely barren. Most people are shocked when they return for a visit. Before Christmas, Kelsy and AJ visited...Kelsey came all the way from Arizona! Kelsey was shocked at the disappearance of all of the foliage, but was pleased by the lack of the mosquitoes. Winter is a very quiet time for the Center. While it is peaceful, there is still nothing more pleasing to my ears than a bustling Dining Hall full of campers.

Soon, we will begin projects that will really help to beautify the property. A controlled burn of the property will eliminate brushy undergrowth and briars, but will also improve habitat quality for squirrels and deer. I will let everyone know how this goes...Our fearless leader, Lee Scripture will be out in the elements to extinguish fires that go astray...hopefully in his fire retardant green britches.

Are summer camps open in the WINTER?

A lot of people ask us this question...yes we are open! We have many visitors that come throughout the year. Lots of churches, businesses, and youth groups come out here for planning meetings or fun outings. We even have weddings out here!