A ribbon cutting was held Sunday, June 30 for the new pool and refurbished pool house at Clover Woods.
Ames, Iowa— On June 30, a warm Sunday afternoon, longtime supporters of Clover Woods Camp & Retreat Center joined current and past board members of the Iowa 4-H Foundation for the official ribbon cutting of the new pool and refurbished pool house. A lead gift from Dean and Adele Bowden of Webster City made this facility a reality.
“I came here in 1954, so I was here when the camp was two years old,” said Dean Bowden during the brief ceremony before cutting the ribbon. “I know camp was a big deal in my life and we were more than excited to get this project off the ground.”
The ribbon cutting was held right inside the new pool complex on Sunday, June 30. Emily Saveraid, Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director shared the history of camp and thanked not only the Bowdens for their generosity but also several others who made the pool project possible. Those donors include Dennis & Julie Goering, Donald & Doris Goering, Prairie Meadows and Ubben Tiling of Stratford.
Construction on the new pool began last September and was completed in early June when the first campers were welcomed to the facility. The pool is 30’x60’ and included updated bath house facilities and improved open green space around the pool.
“We are grateful to the many supporters who made this project possible,” said Emily Saveraid, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation. “Seeing 4-H’ers enjoying the new pool was a real thrill.”
Originally opened as the Iowa 4-H Center in 1952, Clover Woods Camp and Retreat Center annually welcomes 4-H’ers and non-4-H users alike to the facility for camps, retreats or day use opportunities. Clover Woods offers users over twenty miles of hiking trails, a low ropes course, climbing tower, zip line, sports facilities and more on over 1,000 acres. Clover Woods promotes life skill development by providing opportunities for outdoor learning experiences for people of all ages that strengthen their sense of belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery. More information about Clover Woods is available at www.cloverwoods.org.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation provides funds for many of the opportunities – recognition, national 4-H trips, scholarships and special programs– that allow young people to experience the benefits of 4-H. These opportunities allow young people to enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors. For more information about the Iowa 4-H Foundation, visit www.iowa4hfoundation.org.
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Photo: L to R: Iowa 4-H Foundation Board President Curt Lang, lead contributors Adele & Dean Bowden, and Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director Emily Saveraid cut the ribbon at the new Clover Woods Camp pool on Sunday, June 30.
Additional photos found on Flickr.
