A West Virginia University Extension 4-H camp received a donation of 52 complete bed sets including mattresses, head and foot boards and bed frames valued at $33,000 to be used at Camp Barbour, a 4-H camp in Barbour County. The donation came from Battlers Knob LLC, a rental space company that took over the old campus of Alderson Broaddus University.

Before the donation, the beds at Camp Barbour had been there since the 1960s. The donated items were dorm furniture at the previous Alderson Broaddus University.

“When I first saw the value of these items, I was shocked,” Jody Carpenter, WVU Extension agent in Barbour County, said. “To have someone so invested in youth development in Barbour County and not mind the value or price tag is unmatched. With this donation from Craig Phillips, who bought the Alderson Broaddus University campus, and the other businesses his family has brought to the county, it is all to help young people foster healthy relationships and steer them in a better direction.”

Female campers got to experience the new beds at 4-H camp this summer. Upgrades need to be made to the male dorms to ensure longevity of the beds before they are placed, explained Carpenter.

Barbour County 4-H has been trying to get 4-H numbers back up since the COVID-19 pandemic, and community support like this will help the program be successful, explained Carpenter.

“Battlers Knob is committed to the youth in Barbour County and surrounding counties,” said Cherri Sturm, property manager, Battlers Knob. “We believe 4-H is a very important part of children growing up. We also think that the 4-H camp provides opportunities for youth not only associated with 4-H, and we felt that this was a great way for us to help.”

The Phillips family has long supported the Barbour County 4-H program as well as other youth organizations in the county. Historically, the family has purchased animals from the youth livestock sale, donated to the land judging team when they qualify for the national competition and given to the Salvation Army bell ringing when the 4-H clubs are volunteering, explained Carpenter.

“This donation is a tremendous upgrade for Camp Barbour,” Carpenter said. “We are forever grateful, and the effects of this donation will be felt for a while. The Phillips family truly wants the best for the youth of Barbour County.”

For more information about investing in the future of WVU Extension 4-H or other important WVU Extension programs, contact Lauren Seiler, director for development, at 304-293-5692 or via email at Lauren.Seiler@mail.wvu.edu.

To learn more about 4-H activities in your community and keep up with the latest in West Virginia 4-H news, follow @WestVirginia4H on Facebook and @wv_4h on Instagram.

For more information about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.