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4-H leaders assess damage to lost state camp as stories flood in

Families are sharing memories of a state 4-H camp that was lost to a recent wildfire in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Kathleen Lodl, 4-H Program Administrator with Nebraska Extension, tells Brownfield stories have been poring in. “From it was my first time away from home, to I never thought I’d want to be that far away from a large community, to having my prom there, to going down the water slide, to meeting to friends that came to be lifelong friends that they’re still visiting with them today even as adults.”

The Bovee Fire started Sunday and Lodl says most of the camp was destroyed. “The lodge, all of the cabins and educational center was destroyed.  There was nothing salvageable. We have a staff house and some of that is remining.  We went in (recently) to take a look at it looks like it won’t be usable since the fire was so intense.”

She says leaders are discussing how the camp will be rebuilt with a focus on environmental science. “Now, what we’ll be doing is taking a look and seeing what is the best way to do that for 2023 and beyond.  What does that look like in the next 10 years so that we can provide the greatest educational opportunities just like in the past  in ways that meet the needs of today’s young people.”

Lodl says a fire in 1965 also destroyed most of the camp but was quickly rebuilt.

National 4-H week runs through tomorrow.

Kathleen Lodl, 4-H Program Administrator: