Camp Rankin Opens for 28th Season

Two hundred and forty 4-H members will embark on a summer adventure when Camp Rankin, Nova Scotia's provincial 4-H camp, opens for its 28th season this weekend.

From July 2 to Aug. 5, campers will make new friends, learn new skills and participate in a wide variety of activities at the camp, which is located on 60 acres in scenic Bras d'Or Lakes, Richmond County. Originally intended to accommodate the 4-H clubs of Richmond County and surrounding area, it now hosts five six-day camps each summer. 4-H members aged nine to 15 from across Nova Scotia attend the camps.

"Camp Rankin has provided Nova Scotia 4-H members with a positive educational program and a memorable experience for 28 years," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Marketing. "It embodies the 4-H motto, which is Learning by Doing, and it is one of the key reasons we decided to maintain full funding for the 4-H program in the recent budget -- so young Nova Scotians could have experiences like Camp Rankin."

Camp Rankin's facilities include hiking trails, a beach and a dining and recreation hall. Trained camp counsellors with several years of 4-H experience lead the young people through all traditional camp activities and 4-H sessions.

"The 4-H camp program continues to be a positive experience for 4-H members and many of them will return to repeat their camp experience," said Elizabeth Crouse, manager of 4-H and rural organizations. "The Richmond County 4-H Leaders Council has to be commended for its effort in maintaining the camp and inviting all 4-H members from across the province to participate in the summer program".

Camp Rankin was built in 1972 by volunteers as a centennial project of the Richmond County 4-H Leader's Council and was the first 4-H camp to be built in the Atlantic provinces.