Fall at the 4-H Center...

It's been a busy fall at the 4-H Center, though it seems like summer just ended. The colors have been absolutely amazing out here this year. Most of the leaves are on the ground (or in the gutters of our lodges!) and the weather is beginning to cool off. Here are a few highlights of our fall season at the lake:

• We served a few hundred students from schools around our region through Outdoor Education programs. Field trips for a day or several days result in outdoor classes in forest ecology, wildlife ecology, fishing, teambuilding, climbing tower, canoeing, and more. Of course campfire programs and nighthikes fill the evenings.
• We've had groups from all over the country visit us for conferences, retreats, meetings, and/or other group events. Events this fall have included the Virginia Mennonite Youth Conference, Elon University Leadership Retreat, American Cancer Society's Relay Leadership Conference, the Cream of the Croppers (scrapbooking retreat), and much much more!
• We have served approximately 150 4-H'ers through our Fall Cloverbud Camp, Pulaski County 4-H Teens-In-Action Retreat, Virginia 4-H Teen Cabinet, and our Fall Teen Weekend.
• The Smith Mountain Lake Pistol Shooters Association (SMLPSA) has been buzzing all around the new Rocovich Shooting Sports complex this fall. They have range time several days a week along with offering classes to the public 1-2 times per month.
• Our new welcome center is well on it's way to being completed. It's under roof, windows are installed, and the framing is up inside. It should be open for business by April!

Things will slow down substantially for us December through February, but we'll still be here. Come visit, or let us know if you have a group that needs facilities!