Scary stories, a water “bomb” and amazing camp food were highlights of summer camp for the 34 Pike County youth who attended the getaway at the 4-H Center in Columbiana  last week.

“Our 4-H’ers attended camp with groups from Crenshaw and Dale counties,” said Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator. “And, I can say for sure that all 144 for them had a great time.”

Lyons said the campers stayed in either cabins or dorms and got to experience all that the 4-H Center camp has to offer.

“The camp is absolutely beautiful. I don’t know of a prettier camp setting anywhere,” Lyons said. “And, the camp offers a variety of activities and something for everyone.”

In additiona to the traditional camp activities – swimming, volleyball, archery, basketball, canoeing and fishing – the 4-H Summer Camp features herpetology, a climbing wall, a giant swing and unique lake activities.

“Many of these youth overcame their fears, whether by passing the swim test, trying the climbing wall, or just touching a snake,” Lyons said.

Cole Coppage, a Troy Elementary School sixth grader, said everything that he did at camp was exciting.

“It was all fun,” Coppage said. “The scary stories they told at night were great. And, I liked archery and the waterfront, too. I especially liked the blob on the water trampoline. It was the ‘bomb.’”

Lyons said the waterfront, with its inflatables, was a favorite place for many of the campers.

“The waterfront features a trampoline out in the middle of the lake and they all had a ball jumping on it,” he said. “The blob kind of catapults you into the air and then into the water. It was a bomb.”

The giant swing tested the courage of many of the campers.

“The giant swing is just that – a giant swing,” Lyons said. “It’s about 30 feet high and you are in a harness and drop about 25 feet and swing until you stop. It’s safe. It’s exciting and a lot of fun.”

For some of the campers, the giant swing was an opportunity to “do or dare.”

“I faced my fears on the giant swing,” said Sarah Calhoun, a fifth grader at Pike Liberal Arts School. “I was scared but I did it anyway and it was a lot of fun. I liked everything at camp. I especially liked staying with my friends in the dorm and I want to go back again.”

The camp counselors provided inspirational moments and a campfire with various activities.a

Lyons said the campers seemed to like everything the 4-H Summer Camp had to offer – even the food.

“The food was amazing,” said Haven Dates, an eighth grader at Goshen High School. “My favorite was breakfast.”

A summer camp that gets thumbs-up for its food has got to be good.

“We had an excellent group of youth attend 4-H Summer Camp,” Lyons said.  “They were a pleasure to be around and participated in all activities. More importantly, they had the chance to experience the Alabama 4-H Center and its facilities, which are excellent.

“There is much to learn at the 4-H Center.  I would encourage any youth interested in 4-H Summer Camp to give our office a call to find out more information.”

Contact the Pike County Extension office at 566-0985 or on its Facebook page by searching Pike County Extension Office.