Fun Groups!

Over the past several days the Eastern 4-H Center has played host to several large groups...Craven Early College High School, NCASC (NorthCarolina Association of Student Councils), and the East Carolina University Williams Leadership group...We had lots of young people on site, for programs, meals, and group development.

The program staff and I were fortunate enough to be able to work with Hank Bowen and his crew from East Carolina...year in and year out he brings about 25 really great college freshmen (and a few upper classmen mentors). They do things like teambuilding, swimming, rock climbing, and kayaking while they visit us. They usually have a campfire but the ridiculous amounts of rain we have had put a stop to that tradition on Saturday night. Stephanie, another member of the program staff was "on call" for all 3 groups...she's responsible for handling a variety of normal situations and some emergency situations, should they arise...she checks in with groups to ensure that they are comfortable, too. That kind of service is tough to find in most places! On the other hand, I was the least favorite program staff...partly because Marie and Casper stole all of my thunder...those two did the initial group games, so I was left out of the initial bonding time...but at least they capitalized on the opportunity...most people like Marie...she's really quite and nice, but loves to laugh - sometimes with you and sometimes at you. If we would allow it, she wander around camp all day in a snuggie. Casper, with his booming stature, voice, and beard always make him a crowd favorite and is easily one of the most memorable characters here on site. Those two also did rock climbing with the group and word has it that Marie was challenged to climb the difficult side of our 3 three sided climbing wall...she was successful all without screaming.

I had the opportunity to take the other half of the group on a scenic paddle trip down Bunton Creek...as with all groups, half are very gung-ho, while the others are more interested in a slow relaxing paddle filled withDisney songs. Nevertheless, we all had a good time! The Eastern 4-H Center is a great place to have conferences, group retreats, and teambuilding workshops (official page). The Program Staff in place is perfect for making it worthwhile, fun, and very safe, too.

Here is a picture of the Williams Leadership group (don't they look happy!)

















Enjoy the day....