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The NYSC camp facilities
Delegates arrive with their luggage and head for the cabins |
Camp Pocahontas, also known as Camp Thornwood, lies just outside of Bartow, West Virginia and is owned and operated by the 4-H. During their time at Camp Pocahontas, delegates stay in cabins that house roughly 25-35 people each. Although rustic, the camp provides many of the comforts of home... there's hot water in the showers, we have three meals a day (vegetarian and other special diets are accomodated, of course), and there are pay phones in our rec hall (there's no cellular phone coverage), a computer lab hooked up to a satellite Internet connection, and full mail and parcel service.
A directed study examines Appalachian aquatic ecosystems... right in the camp's back yard! |
To be at the camp is to be immersed in a natural setting. In almost every directed study block, a group of students is knee-deep in the local creek, studying ecology or water chemistry. Deep in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, the camp is within arm's reach of a wide variety of plant and animal species, and far enough from civilization and light pollution to allow for some fantastic stargazing. In fact, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV is almost right around the corner from camp, and often hosts groups of campers for overnight astronomy research sessions.
Delegates gather to entertain each other at the campfire ring |
The camp has a large athletic field, a campfire ring for evening gatherings, various program areas for hands-on seminars and directed studies, and a lecture hall large enough to seat the full camp community. The Art Shack has everything from pottery wheels to batik supplies, and the music center provides a place for delegates to share their musical talent... or explore it for the first time.
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