JAMESTOWN — The Jamestown 4-H Educational Center celebrated the reopening of Cabin One after a tree fell during a spring storm, causing significant damage.
Local dignitaries joined the Jamestown 4-H community on the newly sodded grass surrounding the cabin for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The cabin — which holds 30 beds — is almost always filled for each summer camping session and is crucial to the success of the organization’s programs.
Lauren Moore from the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce opened the event, expressing her personal excitement about the reopening of the cabin, “I’m very excited to be here celebrating the Jamestown 4-H Education Center, the reopening of cabin one. Jamestown 4-H has been serving our community for nearly 100 years, and they have served so many youth in our community, including my son. This is now his special place. So I’m so excited to celebrate it.”
Sue Williams, Center Director, thanked the community for its support.
“When this tree fell in the cabin, no one was on site, no one was injured. We were so fortunate and so lucky. And we came back and thought, Uh oh, now, what are we gonna do?” she said. “And then within a short amount of time, the response from the community, and our stakeholders, and our friends and family at 4-H is unbelievable, really. So thank you so much for joining us today to celebrate the restoration for 100 years.”
The community rallied in support of the center, including a benefit concert in May featuring fan-favorite Good Shot Judy. In June, Streamline Roofing announced the completion of its annual Raise the Roof community project, with this year’s recipient the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center. Streamline Roofing provided the roof replacement at no cost.
Other major donors included David Nice Builders, Fix-All Building Repair, Hampton Cooperative Extension, Hanover Cooperative Extension, Henrico Cooperative Extension, Northeast District Cooperative Extension, Riverside Turf, Southeast District Cooperative Extension, Virginia 4-H All Stars, Williamsburg Moose Lodge and Williams Landscaping.
Beth Cook, Assistant Director of Economic Development, was also on hand representing James City County.
Founded in 1928, the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center is one of six in the commonwealth and serves 23 localities in Southwest Virginia.
“As I look out of the crowd, I see day camp family. I see camp alumni. I see so many people that have grown up at camp or been in this community and really have a huge heart for 4-H and what we do, so we are just so, so happy,” Williams said.
