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CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Department of Environment has canceled three spring and summer events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the second year running, Make It Shine Earth Day, West Virginia Youth Environmental Day, and Junior Conservation Camp have all been canceled. The events were also canceled in 2020 due to COVID restrictions.

“It is with deepest sadness that we announce the cancellation of these events.” said Annette Hoskins, Director of the Youth Environment Program (YEP). “We understand how important they are to the young people in our state, and we recognize their tremendous value from an environmental education perspective. However, after much discussion of logistical issues and taking into account the significant uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, we did not feel that we could move events forward and ensure the safety of everyone involved. “

The Earth Day celebration takes place in the outdoor plaza at the Clay Center in Charleston in late April. It attracts hundreds of elementary school students for practical environmental education, which is mainly carried out by department staff.

Youth Environment Day was scheduled for May 15 in North Bend State Park, Ritchie County. Young West Virgins are known for their outstanding projects that they completed during the year that benefit the state’s environment and their communities.

The youth convention since 1964 has brought together hundreds of members of 4-H clubs, scout troops, school groups and their families.

Youth projects will continue to be judged and winners recognized this spring, Hoskins said. More than $ 15,000 will be awarded to the winners.

The Junior Conversation Camp was scheduled for June 21-25 at Cedar Lakes, Ripley. The night camp, established in 1981, attracts around 200 West Virgins aged 11 to 14 years.

Camp instructors include staff from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Forestry, and the West Virginia University Expansion Office.

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