Rotary Club of Warren Helps NOVA 4-H Center Keep Campers Afloat with New Canoe Shed

The Rotary Club of Warren County has made a big splash in supporting local youth by sponsoring a brand-new canoe shed for the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center. The new structure replaces an old shed that had fallen into disrepair, with leaky walls and a sagging roof that no longer protected the center’s valuable water equipment.

Located just outside Front Royal, the NOVA 4-H Center hosts hundreds of campers each year for outdoor education and adventure programs. Canoeing is a favorite activity at the camp, and the need for safe, dry storage was becoming urgent.

Katie Tennant, Director of the NOVA 4-H Center, holds a commemorative paddle featuring the emblem of the Rotary Club of Warren County. The paddle will be mounted to the new canoe shed as a lasting symbol of community partnership.

“This was a huge help for the NOVA 4-H Center since, as a small non-profit, funds are limited!” said Katie Tennant, Director of the NOVA 4-H Center. “This shed is amazing and will allow us to keep our equipment safe and functioning for our campers.”

The new shed, funded and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Warren County, was built to last. The sturdy structure is designed to protect canoes, paddles, and life jackets from harsh weather and wear, ensuring equipment remains in top condition for years to come.

The new canoe shed at the NOVA 4-H Center, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Warren County, stands ready to protect paddles, life jackets, and canoes for campers throughout the summer.

Rotary Club members, who actively support youth and community service programs throughout the area, said the project aligned perfectly with their mission. They saw the canoe shed project as a meaningful way to give back, recognizing the 4-H Center’s vital role in helping children connect with nature and develop important life skills. When they learned of the center’s need, supporting the new shed became an easy decision.

To thank the Rotary Club for its contribution, Tennant was invited to a recent club meeting, where she received a special gift, a ceremonial canoe oar to hang near the new shed as a lasting symbol of the partnership. The oar, with the Rotary wheel, represents the shared values of leadership, service, and outdoor education.

Tennant said. “This was a huge help for the NOVA 4-H Center since, as a small non-profit, funds are limited! This shed is amazing and will allow us to keep our equipment safe and functioning for our campers.”

The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center serves youth from across the region, offering summer camps, leadership programs, and team-building retreats. Thanks to this donation, the center can now focus on expanding its outdoor programming, knowing its canoeing gear is safe and secure.