MORGANTOWN – In November 2024, the Monongalia County 4-H Youth Camp Commission was officially launched with the dual purposes of raising money for the betterment of Camp Muffly and working with the Monongalia County Commission to put that money to use.
Earlier this week, the nonprofit pitched its first project.
During a work session with the Monongalia County Commission, former commissioner (2014-2020) and lifelong 4-H and Camp Muffly ambassador Ed Hawkins said the nonprofit’s board would like to put up $50,000 toward the construction of what he described as a “mega pavilion” at a to-be-determined location on park grounds.
As envisioned, the structure would be 50×100 feet and include enclosures at each corner that would provide structural stability and serve as space for restrooms, a changing room and storage.
Hawkins estimated the needed materials at approximately $100,000 and said the work could be handled by the county’s construction and facilities crew.
County personnel built the new Dunkard Pavilion at Mason-Dixon Historical Park in 2023. The year prior, the county crew constructed the poolhouse that serves the new Camp Muffly Pool.
Hawkins said the new pavilion would recoup any investment from the county over time as a new rental facility for weddings and other events.
Further, he said the project proposal comes to the commission with the blessing of Monongalia County Parks Director J.R. Petsko as well as WVU 4-H & Youth Development Extension Agent Becca Fint-Clark on behalf of the park’s core user group.
“So, what’s in it for the nonprofit that I’m representing here today? Well, quite frankly, publicity. Since 2013 and Ruth Potter, there’s been no private donation to Camp Muffly because no 501c3 existed,” Hawkins said. “Hopefully, the knowledge of this existence would allow other individuals to come forward to make a tax-deductible donation for future project funding.”
The recently formed Monongalia County 4-H Youth Camp Commission shares the name of the group central to Camp Muffly’s history.
The original Monongalia County 4-H Youth Camp Inc. was the owner of the park when it was deeded to the Monongalia County Commission for $10 in 1976. That deed mandated that “providing and conducting a recreational camp for you and youth services” would remain the land’s primary use or ownership would revert back.
The body went dormant in 2013, following a major overhaul in park management and oversight initiated by the county commission. It did so as the named beneficiary of three trusts from Ralph and Jane Thorn, owners of General Woodworking Co., to be paid upon the passing of the couple’s three daughters.
Those funds remain in place.
According to Hawkins, the nonprofit has about $140,000 in a certificate of deposit drawing interest, and just over $338,000 in the Thorn family trusts formed in 1997.
“You know me and you know my feelings about plaques and naming things, but if this pavilion would be built, I might request that it be called Thorn Pavilion,” he said.
Going forward, Hawkins said he can envision the body working with the county to start replacing some of the camp’s old cabins.
The commissioners indicated they would be interested in discussing the matter further.
“We certainly welcome your nonprofit and your efforts in bringing amenities to our park,” Commissioner Sean Sikora said.
“That’s the point,” Hawkins replied. “This money is there. It’s just sitting there, so let’s use it. There’s nothing worse than having a board that sits on their money and isn’t willing to invest. We’re willing to invest in the future … The motto of 4-H is to make the best better. You may not know it, but you’ve got one of the best 4-H camps held by a county in this state. I’ve visited them. You’ve got a really great park. Let’s keep on making it better.”
