Moore County 4-H’ers make 50th annual Camp Woodlee trip

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Moore County is more than just the home of the world famous Jack Daniels Distillery, it is also the home of a thriving 4-H Club. In fact this particular club is celebrating quite an anniversary this year, an anniversary that has a tie-in right here in Warren County. The Moore County 4-H Club has been making a yearly journey to Camp Woodlee for 50 years in 2005, without missing a single year. The anniversary celebration included a bronze plaque commemorating the event which was to be placed on the Moore County cabin.

Merle Moorehead, wife of Moore County extension agent Larry Moorehead, who spearheaded the anniversary celebration, said the trips have meant a lot to the county’s 4-H’ers over the years, and to her family personally.

“This is a yearly thing,” Merle said. “My family’s been coming since my husband was an extension agent. My youngest daughter is 25 and she’s been every year since she was two weeks old. We enjoy it every year.”

Catherine Millsaps, also with the Moore County extension service, said the trips have become almost legendary.

“It’s like a family tradition,” Millsaps said. “We hear tales of, ‘I did this at Camp Woodlee,’ or ‘My grandmother went to Camp Woodlee. It’s really exciting for kids to come for the first time because they’ve always heard about it. It’s just a really good tradition.”

Moore County resident Wallace Brazier, at 77, has been making the trip to Camp Woodlee for around 45 years now. Though not formally affiliated with the Extension Service or 4-H, Brazier has been volunteering almost since the beginning.

“I just enjoy coming and helping with the kids,” Brazier said. “Watching them run up and down the hills.”

As for the 50 years, some of the campers say it has seemed pretty short.

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” said Moore County’s Sandra Bedford, a former camper who met her husband Bill at Camp Woodlee during a 4-H Club camp, “and life’s too short not to have fun.”

PHOTOS INFO:
(top left) These Moore County 4-H Club campers peek out from their cabin. They are, from top, Katie Goshorn, Erin Thomas, Kelsey Camp and Danielle Smith.

(top right) Erica Limbaugh, left, and Sarah Raby relax on the porch of the Moore County cabin at Camp Woodlee. The two Moore County 4-H’ers were part of a group that celebrated 50 years of camping at the campground.

(bottom) Cody Horner, left, and Justin Atnip enjoy a friendly game of checkers during their weekend 4-H Club outing at Warren County’s Camp Woodlee. They are part of a Moore County tradition that has lasted 50 years.