Hundreds attend 2015 KAMP Dovetail

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

ROCKY FORK LAKE – Each year brings something unique to the annual KAMP (Kids and Motivated People) Dovetail. The 2015 KAMP was certainly no different.

On the morning of Tuesday, June 23, the second day of this year’s five-day camp, SATH Executive Director Linda Allen received notification from Rocky Fork Lake State Park officials that a black bear had been sighted near the camp on North Shore Drive and state Route 124.

“We’ve had power outages, severe thunderstorms, heat waves and everything else that can happen, but we’ve never had a black bear sighting,” Allen joked. Allen alerted her volunteer staff to the warning. "As much noise as we make, we'll probably scare it off."

This is the 34th year for KAMP Dovetail, and Allen’s 27th consecutive year.

This year's theme is “Around the World in 5 Days.” Campers received a "passport" and visited various park stations that were set up as different countries. They also learned to say "please" and "thank you" in other languages.

The total registration for the 2015 camp was 300 youths, and 285 were in attendance Tuesday, including the day camp for children 9 and younger.

In addition, Allen said she has 707 camp volunteers.

Allen praised area Lions Clubs, the Masonic Lodge and Bear Mechanical, who closed down for a week in order to assist with the camp in clearing trails and setting up events. Allen said she’s had many of the same volunteers for years.

"When we asked parents what their kids would enjoy, one of the things they say is horseback riding because these kids just don't have that opportunity. School psychologist Dr. Mary Kamphaus of Hopewell does a great job working with the children for the horseback riding."

Allen thanked Bob and Dorothy Hodson for providing teddy bears on Monday, as they do every year on the first day of camp.

“We’ve just had so many people who help out every year,” Allen said. “I’m grateful to everybody for all they do for the camp. I also this year want to thank Cliff Rosenberger and his staff and Congressman Brad Wenstrup for coming out on Monday. And the people at Rocky Fork Lake State Park. This is just a great place for our camp."

More than 1,000 people are taking part in the 2015 KAMP Dovetail.

SATH to hold annual auction, carnival June 24

• On Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m., SATH’s KAMP Dovetail will host its eighth annual Auction and Carnival at Rocky Fork State Park campground.

The auction and carnival are open to the public, and all are invited to attend.

Community members are encouraged to make a donation of a craft, homemade item or any other auction items to be sold at the auction to help raise additional funds for KAMP Dovetail. Campers will also be donating items to be auctioned off. Sports fans will be delighted with the sports memorabilia items available for sale.

Anyone with items to donate may drop them off at KAMP Dovetail anytime on June 22, 23 or 24 before 5 p.m. All proceeds will be used to help with this year’s KAMP Dovetail, “Around the World in 5 Days.”

For more information, go to https://www.kampdovetail.com.