DATE: 8/1/05

CONTACTS: Pam Bryant, (803) 553-7705

Stephen Varnell, (803) 460-4185

WRITER: Stephanie Jackson, (803) 436-5618

Teens fulfill mission to serve community

SUMMERTON -- What do hedge clippers, paintbrushes, rakes, and summer camp have in common? The answer, more than 100 middle and high school students from Hickory Grove Baptist Church , headquartered in Charlotte , attending camp in Summerton on a mission to serve people in surrounding communities.

The R.M. Cooper 4-H Leadership Center on Lake Marion , known as “Camp Bob Cooper,” hosted “ Camp Paradise ,” an annual opportunity for the Hickory Grove teens to participate in Christian leadership training, community service projects and all the traditional summer camp activities. Clemson University ’s Youth Learning Institute (YLI) operates Camp Bob Cooper and helped Hickory Grove identify mission’s projects during their July 20-24 stay, benefiting Clarendon County residents.

“Hickory Grove’s campers are fortunate to be able to participate in a program where they not only come to have fun, but are committed to improving themselves and the lives of others,” said DuValle Elliott, director of the R.M. Cooper 4-H Leadership Center. “Partnering with Hickory Grove Baptist Church for Camp Paradise helps Clemson University and the Youth Learning Institute demonstrate some of the principle values we strive to instill in youth through the camping experience – leadership, responsibility and an attitude of service. Just as important, it gives us the chance to give back to the local community through the efforts of these dedicated young people.”

The first job the students tackled was in Manning, assisting a senior couple facing health challenges with the upkeep of their home. Linwood and Alice Mahoney received volunteer help with painting, yardwork and repair work at their residence.

According to Alice Mahoney, “They were the greatest young people I’ve ever been around. They were so energetic and respectful, and as soon as they finished one project, they would ask me what else they could do to help. Some of them even washed and checked my car for me. One young lady gave my dog a bath and another came in and did some house cleaning for me. I wish all the world was just like them. If I had a million dollars, I’d love to donate it to their church.”

The remainder of the mission work time was spent on the grounds of Camp Bob Cooper, including sprucing up and enlarging the New Horizons Family Center playground area. New Horizons is a group home for teen mothers in foster care located on the Camp Bob Cooper campus. Hickory Grove’s commitment to improving the New Horizons facility is in its second year. Last year, the volunteers installed playground equipment for the Center. This year, they cleaned, weeded, re-mulched and expanded the play area. In addition, they also did some hedge trimming and cleaned flowerbeds around New Horizons.

Erin Roberts, 17, of Charlotte , was one of the many youth participants. “This camp is just awesome and amazing in so many ways,” she said. “Everyone involved was really affected and moved by the experience. While doing the mission work, all the kids had really good service heart attitudes. It was hot, but no one complained. It meant so much more to have a camp experience that’s more than just playing, but also service to others and God.”

“The addition of mission work to our Camp Paradise program started last year, when we instituted a service theme to our camp,” said Trent Peacock, minister of students at Hickory Grove. “The idea was to teach our students to help others and pour their lives into other people. Our aim was to show the campers the love of Christ through service to others.”

“We can’t say enough about the partnership between Hickory Grove Baptist Church and the Youth Learning Institute,” said Stephen Varnell, associate director of the R.M. Cooper 4-H Leadership Center. “As the Youth Learning Institute continually strives to provide better facilities and programs for their partners, Hickory Grove also puts into action their philosophy of giving back. These kids really put into practice the concept of leaving a place better than it was when they arrived.”

In addition to the Hickory Grove partnership, YLI offers more than 50 seasonal and year-round programs that impact youth, including summer camps in wildlife ecology, marine science, technology, academic program enhancement and traditional 4-H camping. Environmental education and technology programs for students and educators are offered in the fall and spring. Last year, more than 22,000 individuals participated in YLI programs.

To learn more about Clemson University ’s Youth Learning Institute, visit the website at www.clemson.edu/yli or call 864-878-1103.

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