100th post!

Just like 4-H turned 100, my blog reaches it's 100th edition...congratulations for me...I am averaging a post about every 1.78908 days!

This week, and the following two, we have Takeoff 4-Health...it's designed to show children a healthier way to live their life...some of the staff should pay attention, too. I have seen to many summer staff members eat pounds of Ramen Noodles and Nacho Cheezy Twistaroni for toooo long!

Anyway...it looks like it will be a good three weeks. There are several returning campers - so the can tell everyone what to look forward to for the next three weeks.

Lee's wife will return from Canada, where her ancestors live - Even though she is Canadian, she does walk upright most of the time...in fact, she might have helped to teach Lee to walk upright.
Canada is America's hat.

Also - Callie (my lady friend) and our daughter Olivia (Toy Schnauzer) will return from the Mississippi Delta next week. She is from down that way...they eat a lot of catfish. I like the Delta...it is like no other place, but it is similar to the pocosin. The Delta does have the following attributes: Good Food (See Doe's Eat Place and The Bourbon Mall), Good Music (Go to Indianola to see the birthplace of BB King), purty girls (they are everywhere), and lots of corn and rice (best duck hunting on the planet). However, the Delta also has: High unemployment, dirty casinos, and high rates of apathy.

Here are some pictures from last night...we have been invaded by the Canada Goose population. They "go to potty" on the front lawn - and NO, they do not flush. Sea Gulls are also starting to potty on our dock. Sea Gulls are really rude animals.














Here are some pictures of staff members at last nights opening ceremonies...it was their last OC for the summer...

Live Birds, Guns, Duck Bands

This morning, Camp Canvasback kids are going to the J Morgan Futch Waterfowl Impoundment. The "Futch" as it is called, is a strictly managed wterfowl feeding area...they grow crops, flood them, birds land, swim, and eat every winter. US Fish and Wildlife Scientists are banding the birds so that they can track them....each bird gets a small metal "ring" around the ankle...when (if) the bird is harvested by a hunter, the hunter calls in the phone number and gets to find out how old the bird is, where and when it was banded. The USFWS gets to know how far the bird migrated after it's banding...cool stuff....I harvested a banded wood duck last year...it was banded right here in Columbia, though...no long trip for the bird. Some Northern Pintails have been recovered in Mississippi that were originally banded in Japan...that is quite a flight!

Nevertheless - Kevin Briggs of Noah's Ark Waterfowl brought some specimens from his waterfowl farm...Kevin is one of the nicest guys in the history of the world...and he is a state highway patrolman...quite a combo. He even helps the folks at the Cornell Bird Lab - the holy grail of bird research!

He brough native and foreign birds like: Redheads, gadwall, wood duck, and a ruddy duck...foreign birds like the brazilian teal and white-faced tree duck were very interesting, too! It's one of my favorite parts of Camp Canvasback...I even talked hunting with Mr. Briggs - he told me his favorite spot is in Canada...I wasn't sure where that was - he says its a little north of here...I don't blame him for wanting to tell me his best places, though.

Shotgunning has been intense under the guise of David Denton, Hunter Education Specialist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resoiurce Commission in District 1....they don't call it District 1 for nothing...David is a great instructor and kids are learning safe shooting technique.

Here are pics from last nights duck id course:

Special Week!

My favoritest week in the world is here...I hate to pick favorites, but I do.
While I love that we serve a ginormous variety of children in many diverse camps, Camp Canvasback, Marine Science & Sailing, and Clover bud are my favorite...I have top 10's for each to explain why:

Canvasback Top 10
10. It's about waterfowl
09. Hunter Safety Certification for everyone
08. Clay Target Shooting
07. North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission
06. Live ducks in Waterfowl ID
05. Decoy Rigging
04. I can blow my Duck Calls and not get in trouble
03. It's a good time to get geared up
02. David Denton is here...
01. It celebrates the culture of NC Waterfowl, but prepares for a better future.

MSS Top 10
10. Oldest specialty camp at the Eastern 4-H Center
09. I like the pretty sails
08. I also want to learn to sail
07. Tying lots of knots
06. All of the counselors are lifeguards
05. The Albemarle Sound backdrop
04. Campers learning lifelong skills and talents
03. I will throw an untied anchor into the water at some point
02. Sunset with sails in the foreground
01. Captain Roger Morgan...he's great

Cloverbud Top 10
10. Filet Mignon every night (not really)
09. Cloverbud campers are tiny and cute
08. Kids say the darndest things
07. They are all future 4-H'ers
06. Cloverbud kids are always happy.
05. One of the campers bows to me when I walk by... not sure why, though...
04. Pool time is "Pool Party".
03. Their rooms are messy, but it is with little tiny socks and shoes.
02. They even cheer Lee up!
01. They always have a knock-knock joke!

There you have it...30 great reasons this week is "off the chain"...

Enjoy the day...

National Public Radio

So Lee was on the Radio...an thank goodness...his face is not ready for TV. We also caught a goose with a broken wing this morning...it will be placed with a rehabilitation center very soon.

Here is the link for the radio broadcast

If you have audio on your computer - you should play it...it is an interview about Operation Purple Camp....also in the broadcast are Taylor and Leigh-Anne (Campers), Army Medics, and Lee.

Camp is going good...unfortunately, we only have 4 remaining weeks...

Enjoy the day...

GRANGE CAMP

Grange Camp is here! The annual "Camp within a Camp" at the Eastern 4-H Center has brought fun, tradition, and Jimmy Gentry (NC GRANGE PRESIDENT) to Columbia. Fun activities, like canoeing and rock climbing, join with their fun traditions, like Great Grange Challenge and Camp
News, combine to make the most awesome week in the history of the mesozoic era.

Grange is a club like 4-H and FFA, meaning it has a strong agrarian history, but now has a more modern flavor...but mind you it still salutes the "Patrons of Husbandry."

The weather has been nice for most of the summer, with the exception of Sunday night and Monday afternoon...it rained and stormed a ridiculous amount. I debated over whether or not to toss out my duck decoys in the shallow waters behind the kitchen...it makes for a nice flooded timber/moist soil management area.

Speaking of flooded timber and decoys...next week, the 3rd annual Camp Canvasback comes calling at the Eastern 4-H Center. Our highest total of enrolled campers for Camp Canvasback, will enjoy learning the ways of the waterfowl - from calling to conservation, to blind construction and decoy rigging, valuable skills will be taught to protect the future of this tradition soaked sport...did I mention that I like to duck hunt a little bit?

Also - Marine Science and Sailing Camp will convene for it's 9th edition...our oldest and strongest specialty camp will see the return of several former campers. Also, Roger Morgan will be on hand to teach the campers to master the winds... he is a GREAT sailing instructor.

Cloverbud Camp will also be in session...CloverBud Camp is totally full...the best part about Cloverbud is that you have lots of teeny tiny 4-H'ers. It is for 5 to 8 year olds. With that may miniature children, camp life is sure to be entertaining!

So far the week is going well...temps and weather are moderating, fun is elevating, and Lee is old...so everything is cool.

Enjoy the day...

Operation Purple Camp Updates

Operation Purple is going really awesomely awesome....yesterday was military experience day...we had special forces medics come and demonstrate to children how soldiers stay healthy and safe in the field...special thanks Fort Bragg for sending those nice folks our way. We had several other folks visit, too. Columbia's Mayor and Town Manager were on hand as well as Betty Jo Shepard from Senator Burr's Office.

Our famous Counselor Swap night was really good...this is when counselors dress up as snother counselor...it is a chance for them to mock another friend...Orlando Dobbin was the crowd favorite with his rendition of Australia Native and Echo Party Cabin Counselor Steph Wiedenbach.

Last night's talent show was great, too. The "Fab 5" as they call themselves (Damien, Brad, Logan, Orlando, and Jordan) are all FUN cabin counselors that had a special dance to close out the show...it was a little weird but very funny.

Staff is working double hard this week to make sure the kids are extra excited...so far the mission has been accomplished.

Scott Enroughty, Operation: Military Kids Coordinator, was on hand to participate in the fun, as well. "Roughty", as some of us call him, is a lot of fun to have around...he likes to help out and is a pretty hilarious guy.

Next week we will be hosting North Carolina Grange's Summer Camp...Grange is always fun, especially the "Camp News" portion of their evening.

Today, The Center's Advisory Board is meeting...and the National Military Family Association's Chairperson of the Board is here - Mrs. Mary Scott.

Enjoy the day...

Operation Purple Camp

It's back...Operation Purple Camp! A camp designed to honor the service of military families and children, runs it second course through the Eastern 4-H Center...OPC is so much fun. And - we are SLAM FULL...there are campers everywhere.

The Summer Staff is starting to look a little tired...I keep telling them to get rest, but they rarely listen to my advice about weekends...they feel that the beach and movie theatre are the only options...try SLEEPING boys and girls...I do it and it works for me.

We have had about 123432.2343 inches of rain in the past day. This leaves trees creaking and cracking...we had one tree fall already. Bud and Charles from the maintenance dept. dispatched the tree to mulch...the rescue boat also "sunk" this morning. I went into total freak out mode. Seeing a boat under the water is unnatural. Lee calmed me down and said that it would be OK because the motor was tilted up and not submerged...I didn't care about the motor...they are not as expensive as a whole BOAT! Nevertheless, Lee was right...after several minutes of bailing, pumping, and more bailing it was fixed. Please see the pictures.

RETURN to camp

As some of you may know, I missed a big portion of camp this week. Generally, I try to ensure that this blog discusses Eastern 4-H Summer Camp Happenings as opposed to Luker Family Happenings. I missed this week of camp because I had to return to Alabama to take part in the bereaving distinction of burying my beloved grandmother. I will talk more about that at the end...for those of you interested in camp, you only have to read the first half!

In my absence, I appointed 2 Deputy Directors - Joe and Chris...Lo and behold, it was probably the best week of camp, yet. Whether I am part of the solution or part of the problem doesn't need to be answered. What is answered b y this is whether or not I have recruited, trained, and motivated a wonderful staff. The answer is YES! While no week of camp since the Big Bang has ever gone off without some type of hickup, this week was very smooth.

Special thanks to Lee for stepping up his game. Lee already has a hard job (keeping me in line), but he was also asked to ensure that everything was carried out to my specifications (and his). And while my return was good for him, it was even better for his wife, child, and beard. Lee looked unkempt from the hours of no personal upkeep. The life of a camp staffer is tough, but it is one that they wish for...counselors give up a summer at the beach for a summer spent with children...quite a sacrifice, but only the finest people will accept the duty. Lee, like myself, has to give up a good bit of the personal life...Lucky for me - I don't have kids or a wife. Lee on the other hand did a lot this week. And when he reintroduces himself to his wife and child this weekend, I am quite sure they will not remember him...it's been a week since they have seen them!

Week 3 of 4-H Camp was solid...4-H Agents and volunteers were very complimentary of staff and programs. We have tiny kinks, and sooner or later we will get a wrangle on them. For the first time in my life, I have set HIGH expectations. They are being met. It is a relief to have people you can count on. My staff members love their jobs and their campers.

On to my grandmother...There is nothing more saddening than the loss of a loved one...but the love is not lost. I will miss my grandmother, but not as much as her own children. Her life was very rich, but not in material things. She was simple and sensible, unlike the majority of the world today. She was born in 1907...and yes, she remembered the depression, D-Day, Kennedy's Assassination, and everything else...we found the newspaper clippings as we poured through her cedar trunk. She raised 3 great kids, one of which is my dad. She knew right from wrong and that doing wrong was NEVER right. She told her kids and students that, too. I expected to see a side of my dad that I had never seen before, but I was wrong. I expected to see him grievous, but he was the same...strong - strong for his family. He will miss his mother. The adoration I have for my mother is not unlike his for his.... As a pall bearer, I noted the weight of the casket. It was heavy on my shoulders. The true weight was on my heart, as I bore the burden of a lifetime of loving memories and admiration for my grandmother. The ceremony was unceremonious, but beautiful...just like grandmother would have wanted it. It was celebratory. I never felt that my grandmother was taken from me...and she would agree that she was living on borrowed time. Few people leave a genuine legacy, but she did. Thanks to all of the staff members here for the condolences and cards. As I reflected on the loss of a family member, I realized that not all family is related...some are friends, co-workers, and staff. Thanks for everything...

Enjoy the day