Summer Camp

Looking for an exciting, safe and affordable option for summer for your children ages 6 to 12? Why not try the Hancock Summer Youth Day Camp, sponsored by the Washington County Recreation Department? Certified physical education and health teacher Stephen Weatherholt is the director and, along with two helpers, provides a fun-filled day of games, sports and learning experiences. Children swim three afternoons a week and are encouraged to join the Summer Reading Club at Hancock Library.

The last day of school for Greencastle-Antrim students was Thursday, but learning doesn't have to stop thanks to the generosity of the school district's teachers. For the second year in a row, the Greencastle-Antrim Education Association will send students to summer camp through its K-11 Scholarship program. Jenelle Wagner, treasurer of the association and a fifth-grader teacher, said $2,849 was raised by donations from teachers, support staff and a contribution from F&M Trust of Greencastle.

As an oppressive heat wave continues to besiege the area with no signs of letting up, kids and counselors at area summer camps have had to slow down their outdoor activities. “It's been really hot all week,” said Marty Snook camper Jordan Gardner, 12, of Hagerstown. “I drink lots of water.” Members of the Marty Snook and Williamsport Camps went to the skating rink at Turner's Skating Palace on Virginia Avenue on Friday, something they do every week. But during the rest of the week, the campers had to find other ways to cool off. Marty Snook camper Nichole Sherman, 11, of Hagerstown said they found some less heated outdoor activities.

"Semper Vigilans" is the motto of the Civil Air Patrol. It means, in Latin, "Always Vigilant. " This motto played an important role in the West Virginia Wing Summer Encampment at Camp Dawson, because some of the activities can be quite dangerous. After all, Camp Dawson, located near Kingwood, W.Va., is the training base for the West Virginia National Guard and Army Special Forces. I'm a member of the Martinsburg Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol (CAP), based in Martinsburg, W.Va.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- One day after the start of summer camp, Marsha Moats was busy. The coordinator for Washington County's summer camp program bounced from office to office, answering phones and preparing for visits to camps in Williamsport and Halfway. "It's pretty hectic right now," Moats said. "But once you get it rolling, the program pretty much runs itself. " Last week marked the start of summer day camps put on by the Washington County Recreation Department. As program coordinator, Moats, 25, is responsible for the preparation of all the camps.

trishr@herald-mail.com BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - The Morgan County Commission approved a $6,500 funding request from the Morgan County Boys & Girls Club at Friday's commission meeting. Chris Risinger, director of the club, said part of the funds will be used to pay for the expense of additional programs and field trips for the new all-day summer camp this year. He said the camp will start either June 20 or 27 and run for eight weeks. Risinger said some Boys & Girls Club parents have been requesting an all-day summer camp.

Dropping your kid off to camp for the first time might require a lesson in learning how to "scram," said Mary Rotz, director of Antietam Recreation's summer camp program. "We have parents who will just cling to their kids, and the kids will cling to their parents," Rotz said. "Sometimes we wish the parents would just scram. And when they do, the kid is fine. " There is much to learn from Rotz, parents and others well-versed in the ways of kids' camps, especially for parents who are about to make the summer camp venture for the first time.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Jefferson County Sheriff Everett "Ed" Boober is so impressed with an upcoming summer camp operated by law enforcement officials that he is willing to pay the way for kids who can't afford to go. The West Virginia Sheriff's Association Youth Leadership Academy, to be held July 7 to 12 at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., gives eighth-grade students a unique look into police work. Students attending the camp participate in mock crime scenes, a mock criminal trial and learn about law-enforcement techniques.

Delays in completing Berkeley County's public recreation center in Inwood, W.Va., have prompted officials to nix a plan to hold summer camps for children there this year. Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Executive Director Steve Catlett said Tuesday that uncertainty about when the W. Randy Smith Recreation Center will be completed factored into the decision to  postpone until 2014 the launch of the camps at the center. Catlett said officials decided to make the announcement the month before people registered for the Berkeley Summer Energy & Explorer Camps at the new $2.1 million facility.

Ronnie Scott Dagenhart was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on June 16 at Downsville Christian Church. He is the son of Brian and Robin Dagenhart of Boonsboro. He is a senior at Washington County Technical High School, where he is in the electrical construction program. Ronnie is a member of Boy Scout Troop 58 of Downsville, and Crew 58 of Downsville. Both groups are chartered by Downsville Christian Church. Ronnie began his Scouting career in October of 2000 as a Tiger with Pack 58 in Downsville.

Fort Ritchie Community Center will host its second annual Polar Plunge Party at Lake Royer on the Fort Ritchie campus in Cascade on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The event will feature a campfire on the beach, s'mores, hot chocolate and music on the deck beginning at noon, with the plunge occurring at 1 p.m. Fort Ritchie's Lakeside Hall will be open with a cash bar and hot soups. Last year's party saw more than 100 plungers between the ages of 6 and 80, with an additional 150 spectators.

Hagerstown resident Connor Buckley said he wanted to learn more about the technique of playing the piano, which is why he attended Piano Academy camp at the Barbara Ingram Summer Arts Academy. “I wanted to learn a little more than just playing notes written on a page,” he said. “There were certain things I wanted to improve on.” Connor, 13, will be going into the eighth grade at E. Russell Hicks Middle School this fall. He took part in the camp's piano recital Thursday, playing a solo piece and a duet.

As an oppressive heat wave continues to besiege the area with no signs of letting up, kids and counselors at area summer camps have had to slow down their outdoor activities. “It's been really hot all week,” said Marty Snook camper Jordan Gardner, 12, of Hagerstown. “I drink lots of water.” Members of the Marty Snook and Williamsport Camps went to the skating rink at Turner's Skating Palace on Virginia Avenue on Friday, something they do every week. But during the rest of the week, the campers had to find other ways to cool off. Marty Snook camper Nichole Sherman, 11, of Hagerstown said they found some less heated outdoor activities.

So what's a kid to do during the summer in Hancock? You can begin this coming week with Hancock's basketball camp, sponsored by the high school girls basketball team. The camp begins Monday, June 11, and runs daily through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the high school gym, West Main Street. It is open to children who will enter third through ninth gradenext fall. Coaches include students from the high school girls and boys teams, as well as adult coaches from the high school teams.

Memorial Recreation Center, 109 W. North Ave.,  will hold its Wheaton Park Summer Youth Camp, starting on Monday, June 11. The camp is for those ages 5 to 11 and all are welcome. To register, call 301-790-0203. New canine sport topic of June 3 workshop On Sunday, June 3, the Peaceable Paws dog training facility, at 17816 Spielman Road, will conduct a one-day workshop titled “Introduction to Treibball” for dogs and their owners interested in learning about the new canine sport.

Summer camp opportunities are coming into view for children in Hancock.  A new one this year is “Camp like a Girl,” sponsored by the Girl Scouts of America, Council of the Nation's Capital.  Girls in kindergarten through grade five are eligible to attend, and older girls can register to be helpers or aids. The dates are June 18-22, and it is going to take place in nearby Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs, W.Va. There will be a bus pickup at Hancock Elementary School for campers from Hancock and camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The camp costs $15. All girls (and adult and teen helpers)

Bored isn't a word you'll find in Taylor Barnhart's vocabulary. Well-rounded, curious, active, involved - but not bored. She plays sports, including volleyball, softball and basketball. She is a musician who has performed in her school orchestra and chorus. She spent the day with a congresswoman, marched in the Alsatia Mummers Parade and has done a lot of traveling, including a trip to New York City. She's an honor society student who says she wants to "learn everything I can whenever I can. " And she's 13 years old. This summer, the Maugansville teen added another accomplishment to her already impressive resume.

Exactly why 7-year-old Wyatt McCulley enjoys riding a mechanical bull is simple enough. “Because they buck you,” McCulley said while eating lunch at the first Beginners Youth Rodeo Camp ever hosted by Henry Arena at Poor House Farm Park. The Martinsburg boy joined 20 other “rodeo campers” Monday for the first day of a weeklong camp focused on educational and hands-on activities in the world of rodeo. Topics range from roping basics and horse care to an introduction to bull riding.