Camp Conger receives AgCredit Mission Fund grant

NORWALK — There is big news for Camp Conger. 4-H Camp Conger is the recipient of a 2020 AgCredit Mission Fund grant of $6,850. It was selected as one of eight recipients from many applicants. This is the third year grants have been made from the fund which supports projects to help improve education for young, beginning or future farmers; maintain or improve the quality of the rural environment; support the advancement of technology benefiting farmers or rural cooperatives; or enhance the quality of life for farmers and rural communities. Huron County 4-H Camp Conger is operated for the benefit of county 4-H members. It has been a treasured county tradition for more than 90 years. The program offers two four-day, three-night sessions and one Cloverbud Fun Day. Camping at Camp Conger has impacted thousands of youths over the years and continues to be a positive influence on the lives of all involved. Many campers become camp counselors receiving at least 24 hours of training each year provided by OSU Extension and many of these counselors have become 4-H club advisers. The mission of the camping program is that "4-H members participating in the Huron County 4-H camping program will have fun learning while developing leadership and social skills, independence, and responsibility in an outdoor environment." The grant will allow the camp board to put 300 tons of stone covering 1/4 mile of the lane approach to camp making a much safer approach with improved traffic flow and create a much better first impression of the camp. The grant will also allow the board to replace old heavy wooden tables in the dining hall with 22 high density polyethylene tables. These smooth white tables will be much easier to keep clean and germ-free improving sanitation and safety for campers and staff. In addition, the lighter weight and storage rack will make handling the tables much safer. Here is what two former 4-Hers had to say about Camp Conger: I love Camp Conger and forever will "Being raised in a very involved 4-H family, I quickly learned to have the same passion for camp as I had for 4-H. My mom worked for the extension office, so for years, before I was even a "real" member she would take me along to camp to help with craft sessions. As I got older, I could feel the excitement for camp growing and soon enough I got to be a camper! After being a camper for many years, I continued my weeks at camp by becoming a counselor and even after my years as a counselor concluded, I volunteer occasionally in the craft hall and am now a 4-H advisor where I see the kids' excitement for camp grow just like mine did. "From the educational sessions, learning proper flag etiquette complete with a color guard and daily flag raising, to cooking over the fire, to the cheesy camp songs that I can still remember and pop into my head from time to time, Camp Conger became the highlight of my summer. I didn't realize it then, but being a camper and counselor at Camp Conger, I gained so many life skills. Public speaking, making typically boring educational information more exciting, team building skills (everyone loved Bonnie games, and as an adult they are so helpful in many situations) and building relationships that would be great friendships and connections for life. It seems that camp taught us critical thinking skills, leadership skills, the importance of teamwork, positivity, how to help others and show kindness and how to love people, all while we just thought we were having fun. "As every camp came to a close, we would always have the square dance, vespers on the hill and then a pretty awesome final campfire with tons of skits, challenges and laughter. From there we would move on to our goodbye celebration, where counselors who were retiring counselors would a give a speech, we would play some sort of song and have a candlelight service, those moments I remember being a counselor and being full of emotions, how could this be the last time we are with so and so, or how is this my last time of ever being a counselor at 4-H camp? That night was always bittersweet, and when those songs from my youth come on the radio, I often find myself going down memory lane. I stay connected through social media with many camp/counselor friends and 4-H ties in general. I am so thankful that our mom pushed us to stay involved(there wasn't too much pushing for camp), but without being an active member of 4-H, we would've missed those few days each summer that became so many memories that I will cherish forever. "I love Camp Conger and forever will." Carrie Hinckley Last year in 4-H was 2009 Camp Conger is the Best My initial thought of going to Camp Conger was that I was scared. If I would have let that fear rule me, I would have missed out on some of the best times I've had in my 4-H career. Most people now don't realize that I was the shy kid. It took some convincing from my mom and 4-H advisor to get me to go. But, once I was there, it was a done deal. I loved Camp Conger, it was the best. As a camper, I have no particular favorite memory. It was the whole experience that made up the beauty of what Camp Conger was and always will be. I remember the excitement when we turned down that country road, and we were finally able to see the cows in the pasture waiting to greet us as we crossed the gate. Seeing how many times you were stopped because the cows were curious was just part of the fun. For me, camp was Bonnie's wake up call, the chill of the mornings during flag raising. It was stomping through the river, swimming in the pond, glow-in-the-dark games, and learning all the best moves in the line and square dances. It was gathering around the campfires to tell stories, and stuffing myself on Camp Conger's World Famous Taco Pie day (yes, world famous!) That was only the beginning, it was my first week-long adventure away from my parents, and best of all my siblings! It was like a right of passage. I was always excited to see some of my friends that I hadn't seen since fair, the year before, and to find a few new friends as well. I remember dragging the hose into the latrines when it was our cabins turn to clean them. I remember how excited I was when we had toilets that flushed that next year! The games we played, the things we learned, and the friends we made, were what made Camp Conger so great. Being a camper was the best. As a counselor, we took pride in preparing each activity of the week. We planned for months leading up to the summer figuring out what our themes were, what new activities we would do all while hanging on to the Camp Conger traditions that were passed down by the generations before us. I'm sure that there was more than one time that we drove Bonnie, Amy and Kris to the brink of crazy, but I'm sure they wouldn't have it any other way. We learned to work hard, and play harder. And that we did. We spent time together after meetings to hang out at the burger or taco joints,and we went to each others houses on the weekends. As a counselor, it was our duty to pass down the traditions and the stories that were passed down and entrusted to us to keep the tradition alive. We were trusted to tell the story of Olives Grave, to make sure that the campers never won Capture the Flag, and to make sure that they were making the memories that we did as campers. For some of my friends, this is where they met their future spouse, for others it was the end of one season of life and preparing for the next. For me, it is where my friend, Katie, told me of a co-worker of hers that she thought I should meet. Her friend turned out to be my best friend and we've been married for 12 years now. Being a counselor was the best. After I graduated from school, I knew that my roots were firmly planted in the 4-H program and I became an advisor. As an advisor, I have the privilege of seeing the next generation of 4-H'ers carry on the memories and traditions that were passed down to me. I am the one who gets to encourage our kids to take the opportunity to go to camp. I am the one who gets to see the kids who were like me, shy and apprehensive, go to camp and come back forever changed. I get to see kids stand up and encourage their friends to go to Camp Conger and for them to tell others of the magic that lies beyond the cow path. It is so rewarding to see the growth of my 4-H kids from year to year. Being a 4-H advisor is the best. And now, I also get to pass this tradition down to my own children. I love hearing their stories of the memories that they made. It's almost funny to hear some of the exact same sentiments that I had of my camping days from my daughter. When asked what her favorite parts of camp are, it's getting away from her siblings, making new friends, learning new things and having a lot of fun. She has a favorite memory, but I can't tell you what it is because when she tries to tell me she just breaks out in incoherent laughter. I am so thankful that my kids get to experience the wonder of the campfire, the quiet of vespers, the excitement when she told me how many days she went without a proper shower. I am excited to hear the many more years of experiences and new memories and traditions being made at camp. Being a mom of a 4-H camper is the best. As time and traditions change over the years, no matter where I am in life, driving down that back country road, through the pasture and walking down the hill to get to our beloved camp, I am flooded with memories and friendships that were made. It is like coming home. Camp Conger is simply the best. Megan Culler