A major upgrade at the North Dakota 4-H Camp near Washburn is a step closer to reality.

North Dakota State University Extension Service and 4-H leaders, camp renovation donors, North Dakota 4-H Foundation members, NDSU President Dean Bresciani, state legislators and other dignitaries broke ground Friday for the construction of a multipurpose 4-H center.

This facility is the centerpiece of a $2.3 million project to renovate the 47-year-old camp. The project includes substantial remodeling of the three cabins, improvements to the dining hall and expanding outdoor camp opportunities.

“We are so excited to see the plans for the North Dakota 4-H Camp come to life,” NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development Chair Brad Cogdill said. “This project will transform the facility by making it a better learning environment, improving our capacity to accommodate the participants, providing access to people of all abilities and ensuring a safe camping facility.”

The state Legislature provided $950,000 of the funding for the renovation and construction project in the NDSU Extension Service’s 2013-15 budget. Individuals, organizations and corporations donated the rest through the North Dakota 4-H Foundation’s Shape a New Destiny campaign.

“The generosity and overwhelming support that we have received for the construction and renovations at the North Dakota 4-H Camp have been amazing,” North Dakota 4-H Foundation Chairwoman Leann Schafer said. “Without the leadership and statewide support of 4-H, this project would not be possible. We are excited for the future opportunities our youth will have available to them through a facility open year-round.

“We are currently working on Phase II of the camp project,” she added. “Funds are needed for the contents and furnishings for the camp buildings. Contact the North Dakota 4-H Foundation on how you can help be a part of this exciting project.”

The new 4-H center is being named in honor of Myron D. Johnsrud, a Watford City area native who served as NDSU Extension Service director from 1974 to 1986. The Johnsrud family was one of the project’s major contributors.

“You've got to prepare these young kids,” Johnsrud said. “North Dakota is not what it was five years ago, and this camp shouldn't be what it was five years ago.”

The 84-acre camp is along the banks of the Missouri River near Fort Mandan, where explorers Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1804. The camp began as the Western North Dakota 4-H Camp, one of two regional 4-H camps. Now it is the sole statewide 4-H camp facility.

Research shows that a 4-H camp experience has a positive impact on the social, personal and educational growth of the participants. It also increase awareness of environmental issues and interest in the outdoors, develops leadership skills and influences career decisions.

Renovation work and construction on the new camp facility is scheduled to start later in August and be completed by April 30, 2015.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Aug. 5, 2014