In 2009, an article ran on the front page of the Daily Journal about Millstone 4-H Camp needing some help. Some of you may have even offered your skills as a carpenter, painter or just generally felt concern for the camp located in Richmond County. One Richmond County citizen, however, turned his concern into action, and dollars! [Photo]
After reading that Millstone 4-H Camp had lost the $30,000 in support that allowed them to offer a week of Operation: Military Kid Camp at no cost to 100 youth (Guard, Reserve and Active Duty) whose parent(s) have recently, are currently, or are scheduled to serve our country overseas, Mr. A.B. Thompson got on the phone. Soon a generous donation was made to make this camping experience available to 100 Military Youth at Millstone 4-H Camp! As this citizen told shared, “Kids ought to get to go to camp.”
Mr. Thompson is still actively involved in the camp, and has been humbled by the letters of gratitude that the campers wrote him in 2009. If this camping experience is to occur in 2010, however, 4-H needs your support. Camp is a valuable experience for youth. In one camper’s words, “Thank you for paying for me to come to camp. It really took my mind off my Dad while he is in Iraq. The funnest thing that happened at camp for me was playing in the creek, sleeping in a cabin and making new friends. So thank you so much for giving me one of the best weeks ever.” To see more of what these campers had to say about camp, check out the bottom of this post
While at camp, youth participate in canoeing, archery, shooting sports, climbing, swimming, arts & crafts, cookouts, campfires, nature exploration, teambuilding, high ropes, and much more. All these activities help youth improve their leadership and communication skills while making new friends. Camp OMK will focus on building coping skills and creating positive outlets for the intense emotions these children now live with daily. Campers build camaraderie as they meet other youth who are going through similar situations, but equally important is the opportunity to enjoy a carefree camping experience with their peers. While at camp, these children will have fun, laugh, learn and just enjoy being kids.
If the $32,000 in support can be raised, the tentative date for youth ages 8-13 is July 18th-23rd for up to 100 campers. Cloverbud or Young Heroes Camp, for youth 5 to 8 years old, allows youth to experience a shorter version of camp August 2nd-4th or August 6th-8th. Both Cloverbud OMK Camps can accept up to 40 campers.
If you are interested in more information about either of these 4-H Operation: Military Kid Camps please check the web at www.millstone4hcamp.org for forms or call Gene Shutt at 652-5905 or Scott Enroughty at 919-515-8500 with questions. If you are interested in the general 4-H program, please contact Michelle Stumbo at 997-8255!
The following are “thank you” responses written to Mr. A.B. Thompson from military youth who attended Camp NC OMK. Also included are two thank you e-mails submitted by parents of the military youth who attend Camp NC OMK.
________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for us. I may not know you personally, but I’ve heard a lot about you. You have made it possible for us to come to camp and have the best times of our lives. We all have been inspired. We want to give back to our communities, and help others. We’ve all been given an opportunity of a lifetime, to talk about with our friends, and family, and maybe with a family of our own one-day. One day, I want to do something as great as you did for us. I also hope it will mean as much as your gift to us. Thank you again. Asia E.________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for paying for me to come to camp. It really took my mind off my Dad while he is in Iraq. The funnest thing that happened at camp for me was playing in the creek, sleeping in a cabin and making new friends. So thank you so much for giving me one of the best weeks ever. Love, Samantha________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
This summer my brothers and I thought that we would never have fun this summer. Every night I would wish that school all ready started because I felt bored every single day. But until my mom found out about this camp. I was so excited about the camp. At the time my dad was deployed to Norfolk, VA. So we had to wait b until he came home. When we finally signed up, I did not get chosen, but the second time I did. My mom was so happy that she worked so hard to make sure we went to this camp. Ever since I have been here I had a lot of fun. I have learned how to swim and I enjoyed the canoes. Thank you so much for allowing us to come here. Love, Chloe ________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for doing what you did to let us go to camp. I really appreciate what you’ve done for us. I look up to you. My dad’s in Afghanistan. I miss him. Love, Lexi
Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for supporting this camp. I had fun meeting people whose parents are in the army. It was so fun. I had a great time. My two favorite things to do were the bow and arrows and flipping the canoe. It was the best time ever. Hope I can come back next year. Sincerely, Angelique________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I want to thank you for what you’ve done for us. I’m guessing you understand how it is for us. We move place to place without any concern how we feel about it. Thanks to you we had a place to have fun with other people. You gave us a place to be comfortable, to meet new people, and to learn respect and responsibility. You are very considerate of other people. Kaylah B.________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to come to camp. It truly means a lot to me, because it allows kids to meet each other, which in the end really helps deal with the deployments. I really love meeting new people, and taking on new experiences. This week has been hard, tiring, and even a little scary, but Please know it has been WELL worth it! Yours truly, Hannah B.________________________________________________________________________
Thanks so much Mr. Thompson,
I really enjoyed the creek and high ropes. I loved being away from the craziness of my dad being gone. It was nice to have a kind of normal life. I enjoyed coming back and I hope to come back. I think I have made real true friends. It is hard being away from my dad most of the time and I don’t usually get to do much things other than watch my little brother. I got over my fears on the high ropes and flipping the canoe. I think it helps to get over your fears so thanks for that too. I also believe the friends you make when you’re young can influence your future. Julia ________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Hello My name is Michael. It is my second year at OMK. This year was so much better. I did high ropes. The guys in my cabin were nicer. Tim my counselor was awesome. I learned a lot from him and I thank you for your support for the camp. My mom and dad will be deployed in September or August. My dad is going to Iraq and my mom is going to Afghanistan. Thank you, Michael________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for donating the money for us. My mommy is in Iraq. My favorite part of the camp was meeting new friends. I really want to come back. I am going to miss this camp. ________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for all the things you did to open this wonderful camp. My favorite thing about this camp is having fun. I hope I can come back next year. Thank you, Caty B.________________________________________________________________________
To whom it may concern,
My son Christian B participated in the Camp NC OMK, in July of 2009. This was his first time away from home alone. We were all very nervous but 4-H Camp officials were so professional that worried parents such as us were put at ease.Our son had such a fantastic time that before we even got back to the car on pickup day he was asking if he could attend next years camp.
Thank you for making this a great Camp experience for our son and us.See you next year.
Kristina B.Raleigh, NC ________________________________________________________________________
Hi to all involved,
I am the mother of one of the kids that recently went to the Camp NC OMK at Millstone 4-H camp in Elerby,N.C.. Her name is Makayla and this was her first time going to any camp and being gone away for a week, she is thirteen years old going into the 9th grade. I must admit I was scared myself. I just knew that she was going to call home but she didn’t, she did get home sick but the “camp mother” made her feel a lot better. This is her father's fourth tour to Afghanistan and he just got back the 26th of January. She normally takes it hard and has nightmares while he is gone and meeting others that deal with what she has can help. I just wanted to thanks to ALL iNVOLED and made it possible for her and all the kids that have to endure the things they do while parent(s) are away overseas. There are many words I can say but this would be a long letter. In as short as I can put it just thank you all, the camp, all the workers and those who donated for all of our kids to enjoy themselves. I know they are saying thank you to our families for what we all go through and I just wanted all to know we do appreciate it.
THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angela and Michael (my husband who is away)
P.S. She told him about it while on the webcam and he was so happy! Thank you!!!!!
After reading that Millstone 4-H Camp had lost the $30,000 in support that allowed them to offer a week of Operation: Military Kid Camp at no cost to 100 youth (Guard, Reserve and Active Duty) whose parent(s) have recently, are currently, or are scheduled to serve our country overseas, Mr. A.B. Thompson got on the phone. Soon a generous donation was made to make this camping experience available to 100 Military Youth at Millstone 4-H Camp! As this citizen told shared, “Kids ought to get to go to camp.”
Mr. Thompson is still actively involved in the camp, and has been humbled by the letters of gratitude that the campers wrote him in 2009. If this camping experience is to occur in 2010, however, 4-H needs your support. Camp is a valuable experience for youth. In one camper’s words, “Thank you for paying for me to come to camp. It really took my mind off my Dad while he is in Iraq. The funnest thing that happened at camp for me was playing in the creek, sleeping in a cabin and making new friends. So thank you so much for giving me one of the best weeks ever.” To see more of what these campers had to say about camp, check out the bottom of this post
While at camp, youth participate in canoeing, archery, shooting sports, climbing, swimming, arts & crafts, cookouts, campfires, nature exploration, teambuilding, high ropes, and much more. All these activities help youth improve their leadership and communication skills while making new friends. Camp OMK will focus on building coping skills and creating positive outlets for the intense emotions these children now live with daily. Campers build camaraderie as they meet other youth who are going through similar situations, but equally important is the opportunity to enjoy a carefree camping experience with their peers. While at camp, these children will have fun, laugh, learn and just enjoy being kids.
If the $32,000 in support can be raised, the tentative date for youth ages 8-13 is July 18th-23rd for up to 100 campers. Cloverbud or Young Heroes Camp, for youth 5 to 8 years old, allows youth to experience a shorter version of camp August 2nd-4th or August 6th-8th. Both Cloverbud OMK Camps can accept up to 40 campers.
If you are interested in more information about either of these 4-H Operation: Military Kid Camps please check the web at www.millstone4hcamp.org for forms or call Gene Shutt at 652-5905 or Scott Enroughty at 919-515-8500 with questions. If you are interested in the general 4-H program, please contact Michelle Stumbo at 997-8255!
The following are “thank you” responses written to Mr. A.B. Thompson from military youth who attended Camp NC OMK. Also included are two thank you e-mails submitted by parents of the military youth who attend Camp NC OMK.
________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I wanna thank you for all you’ve done for us. I may not know you personally, but I’ve heard a lot about you. You have made it possible for us to come to camp and have the best times of our lives. We all have been inspired. We want to give back to our communities, and help others. We’ve all been given an opportunity of a lifetime, to talk about with our friends, and family, and maybe with a family of our own one-day. One day, I want to do something as great as you did for us. I also hope it will mean as much as your gift to us. Thank you again. Asia E.________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for paying for me to come to camp. It really took my mind off my Dad while he is in Iraq. The funnest thing that happened at camp for me was playing in the creek, sleeping in a cabin and making new friends. So thank you so much for giving me one of the best weeks ever. Love, Samantha________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
This summer my brothers and I thought that we would never have fun this summer. Every night I would wish that school all ready started because I felt bored every single day. But until my mom found out about this camp. I was so excited about the camp. At the time my dad was deployed to Norfolk, VA. So we had to wait b until he came home. When we finally signed up, I did not get chosen, but the second time I did. My mom was so happy that she worked so hard to make sure we went to this camp. Ever since I have been here I had a lot of fun. I have learned how to swim and I enjoyed the canoes. Thank you so much for allowing us to come here. Love, Chloe ________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for doing what you did to let us go to camp. I really appreciate what you’ve done for us. I look up to you. My dad’s in Afghanistan. I miss him. Love, Lexi
Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for supporting this camp. I had fun meeting people whose parents are in the army. It was so fun. I had a great time. My two favorite things to do were the bow and arrows and flipping the canoe. It was the best time ever. Hope I can come back next year. Sincerely, Angelique________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
I want to thank you for what you’ve done for us. I’m guessing you understand how it is for us. We move place to place without any concern how we feel about it. Thanks to you we had a place to have fun with other people. You gave us a place to be comfortable, to meet new people, and to learn respect and responsibility. You are very considerate of other people. Kaylah B.________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to come to camp. It truly means a lot to me, because it allows kids to meet each other, which in the end really helps deal with the deployments. I really love meeting new people, and taking on new experiences. This week has been hard, tiring, and even a little scary, but Please know it has been WELL worth it! Yours truly, Hannah B.________________________________________________________________________
Thanks so much Mr. Thompson,
I really enjoyed the creek and high ropes. I loved being away from the craziness of my dad being gone. It was nice to have a kind of normal life. I enjoyed coming back and I hope to come back. I think I have made real true friends. It is hard being away from my dad most of the time and I don’t usually get to do much things other than watch my little brother. I got over my fears on the high ropes and flipping the canoe. I think it helps to get over your fears so thanks for that too. I also believe the friends you make when you’re young can influence your future. Julia ________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Hello My name is Michael. It is my second year at OMK. This year was so much better. I did high ropes. The guys in my cabin were nicer. Tim my counselor was awesome. I learned a lot from him and I thank you for your support for the camp. My mom and dad will be deployed in September or August. My dad is going to Iraq and my mom is going to Afghanistan. Thank you, Michael________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for donating the money for us. My mommy is in Iraq. My favorite part of the camp was meeting new friends. I really want to come back. I am going to miss this camp. ________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Thompson,
Thank you for all the things you did to open this wonderful camp. My favorite thing about this camp is having fun. I hope I can come back next year. Thank you, Caty B.________________________________________________________________________
To whom it may concern,
My son Christian B participated in the Camp NC OMK, in July of 2009. This was his first time away from home alone. We were all very nervous but 4-H Camp officials were so professional that worried parents such as us were put at ease.Our son had such a fantastic time that before we even got back to the car on pickup day he was asking if he could attend next years camp.
Thank you for making this a great Camp experience for our son and us.See you next year.
Kristina B.Raleigh, NC ________________________________________________________________________
Hi to all involved,
I am the mother of one of the kids that recently went to the Camp NC OMK at Millstone 4-H camp in Elerby,N.C.. Her name is Makayla and this was her first time going to any camp and being gone away for a week, she is thirteen years old going into the 9th grade. I must admit I was scared myself. I just knew that she was going to call home but she didn’t, she did get home sick but the “camp mother” made her feel a lot better. This is her father's fourth tour to Afghanistan and he just got back the 26th of January. She normally takes it hard and has nightmares while he is gone and meeting others that deal with what she has can help. I just wanted to thanks to ALL iNVOLED and made it possible for her and all the kids that have to endure the things they do while parent(s) are away overseas. There are many words I can say but this would be a long letter. In as short as I can put it just thank you all, the camp, all the workers and those who donated for all of our kids to enjoy themselves. I know they are saying thank you to our families for what we all go through and I just wanted all to know we do appreciate it.
THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angela and Michael (my husband who is away)
P.S. She told him about it while on the webcam and he was so happy! Thank you!!!!!
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