West Virginia Operation Lifesaver held the 2009 WVOL Rail Camp June 27 - July 3
at Camp Echo in Cabins, WV. The event was hosted by the South Branch Valley Railroad for the tenth consecutive year. WVOL State Coordinator, John Perry said, "The camp was a tremendous success again this year. The campers all seemed to have a great time and whether they realized it or not, they also learned quite a bit."
During their week at the camp, the campers were given Operation Lifesaver classes each day. They spent approximately one hour in class, as most of their training was conducted on the railroad. They received instruction on how a highway-rail grade crossing operates and learned about the dangers of on-track equipment. They were taken on a 60-mile motorcar ride in antique motorcars on the West Virginia Central Railroad from Elkins to High Falls and back, were treated to a dinner train ride on the South Branch Valley Railroad, operated a hand car, and were allowed to operate a locomotive. Perry noted, "Most people will never get to operate a locomotive, so this is really a unique experience for these young people."
The campers also were taken to Cass Scenic Railroad and rode the steam train to Whittaker Station, had lunch and returned. They also toured the National Radio Observatory in Green Bank. Campers also participated in several games and competitions at the camp with an open house dinner on Thursday night.
Roger Lipscomb, Chairman of the WVOL Board of Directors said, "This has been a great week. These young people left our camp with memories that most people will never get to experience, and as one of our slogans says, they received "the learning experience of a lifetime"."
The camp is held each year for a limited number of students ranging in age from 10 to 17. The camp is fully funded so there is no charge to the campers who attend. This year's campers were from West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota.
The WVOL Rail Camp is the only Operation Lifesaver camp in the country.
The camp is sponsored by the Rahall Transportation Institute, the South Branch Valley Railroad, and the West Virginia Southern Railway. Other contributors include Appalachian Rail Excursions, and Norfolk Southern Corp. (Pittsburgh Division).
At the camp, the campers are divided into four groups that compete against each other during the week. The teams are named for railroad companies which have, but no longer, operate in West Virginia.
Perry noted, "There are several people we need to thank for making all this possible. John Gonder and the good folks at Appalachian Rail Excursions, Chris Cavender of Cavs Coaches who provided a motor coach for the camp and Chef Betty Reed who provided the great food."