4-H Camp Pioneer exhibiting historic photo collection
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BEVERLY -- The history of 4-H Camp Pioneer is being compiled and reframed -- literally -- by a group of dedicated volunteers.
4-H Camp Pioneer's historic photo collection is located in Torner Dining Hall and open to public viewing during operational hours.
"For the 4-H community, past and present, the collection showcases a magnificent view of the 4-H experience and brings back treasured memories," a Camp Pioneer press release states.
The national 4-H program's rich history in Randolph County includes the first recognized 4-H Camp in the world being held in southern Randolph in 1915.
The 4-H History Round-Up Project at Camp Pioneer has been busy collecting this history through oral history interviews and community-contributed artifacts, officials said.
"Within Camp Pioneer's archives, an impressive collection of 4-H camp photos has been compiled throughout the years," the release states. "A 1930 picture from the Valley Bend 4-H camp site is the oldest.
"In 1952, 4-H Camps moved to the present Camp Pioneer site in Beverly. The collection includes photos of younger, older, and all-age 4-H Camps at Camp Pioneer from 1960 to the present day, save for a few missing years yet to be found and added."
This historic photo collection was once displayed at Camp Pioneer, but circumstances required the collection to be temporarily taken down.
"With a few additions and new frames, the 4-H History Round-Up Project and Camp Pioneer are proud to exhibit the photos once again!" the release states.
Lennie and Barb Whritenour donated their time and worked to install wooden mounts to the walls of Camp Pioneer's dining hall.
"Each display showcases a unique yet uniform grouping of photos packed with campers representing the long-standing legacy of 4-H throughout Randolph County's history," the release reads.
4-H History Round-Up committee members Luanna Moore, June Meadows Semenick and Dawn Swecker organized the project and provided helping hands during installation. Maddy Fleming, the AFNHA AmeriCorps member serving at Camp Pioneer for the 2022-23 term, also assisted in the project's completion.
Several photographs of 4-H Camps are still missing from the framed collection -- Younger 1966, Older 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1986. Any pictures before 1960, or from the old 4-H Camp site at Valley Bend are greatly sought after as well. Anyone that would like to share 4-H memories or memorabilia may call the WVU Extension Service at 304-636-2455.