Joseph Kittle and Alex Thompson from Philip Barbour High School enjoyed the week-long camping experience at YMCA Camp Horseshoe sponsored by the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Standing, from left, are David Cooper, Camp Director; Joseph Kittle, a rising Freshman at the school; Alex Thompson, a Junior at Philip Barbour; and Assistant Camp Director Emily Huegenin, who is holding the annual contribution to the Entrepreneurship Camp from the Barbour County Chamber of Commerce.
Kittle, the son of Joey and Charity Kittle of Belington, is a rising Freshman and involved in youth and government activities at Philip Barbour and hopes to enroll at West Virginia University after graduation. He says he, “looks forward to camp every year.”
Thompson, a Junior, is a resident of Philippi and the son of Dorsey and Angie Thompson. He is a trumpet and French horn player in the Philip Barbour band, and is a member of the Tacy Stickers 4-H Club which he serves as Secretary. He is also Vice President of 4-H Teen Leaders. Thompson feels that, “the Youth Leadership Association camp should be offered to all high school students so they can experience this one week of amazing people.”
The YLA Leadership Summit ran from June 22nd to June 27th under the theme: See the Dream, Live the Adventure. The camping schedule was delayed one week because of Covid 19 restrictions and the campers, who came from all over West Virginia, wore masks and engaged in social distancing.
This year’s camp taught Covid 19 Safety, team building, marketplace simulation, youth in government, finance, entrepreneurship, and the use of personal journals. Activities included line dancing, games, hiking, a variety show, and campfires. The camp held orientation and graduation ceremonies as well.
The Youth Leadership Association Entrepreneurship Camp is held each June at YMCA Camp Horseshoe located at 3309 Horseshoe Run Road in Parsons, 26287 and may be reached at (304) 478-2481.