NW Network
A NORTHWESTERN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PUBLICATION July 2023
Local eighth-graders spent four days in Hinton representing NWEC during this year’s Energy Camp. From left: National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Mascot – Willie Wirehand, Graham Heidlebaugh – Vici, Braxton Kraus – Woodward, John Campbell – Arnett, Lyndsey Harvey – NWEC employee and Energy Camp counselor.
Take Their Word For It
Why Energy Camp should be on your radar - As told by area eighth-graders and Lyndsey Harvey, NWEC's Marketing and Communications Specialist
One of the best parts of my job is promoting, attending and organizing our co-op’s youth programs for kids in Northwest Oklahoma. Recently, I had the privilege to be a counselor at Energy Camp in Hinton and I had a blast. I could tell you, and anyone who will listen, how great this camp is until I am blue in the face – but rest assured I won’t. Instead, I thought it would be best for all of you to hear from the three boys from our area who went with me, and some of their fellow campers, what they really thought at the end of their fourday journey.
On the very last day of camp, all campers were given a small note with a writing prompt that asked them to explain why they enjoyed Energy Camp. Here are the responses from our Northwest Oklahoma boys.
John Campbell, Arnett –
“Energy Camp is awesome because of the friends I have met. I met two new friends from around my town, and one from a whole different area. We all made a little makeshift group, we got out of our comfort zones, and we had fun.”
Graham Heidlebaugh, Vici –
“I really enjoyed swimming to cool off, playing basketball with my friends, and pole climbing was awesome! All the little activities and real-life situations were engaging and fun. I made new friends, got out of my comfort zone and actually had fun learning about the co-op and its history too!”
Braxton Kraus, Woodward –
“Energy Camp is awesome because I got to climb a pole and
make some great memories with new friends.”
The boys truly outdid themselves being model campers and making the most of this experience. One workshop taught the campers how to write thank you notes, and while I won’t share all the heartfelt details in hopes of keeping their street cred intact, they all mentioned how grateful they were for the opportunity to make new friends, how they would use what they learned later in life, and how they may even consider a job in this field in the future. Interested in learning more about Energy Camp? Check out this year’s camp recap press release – written by the peer-elected Energy Camp board of directors themselves.
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Energy Camp Press Release By the 2023 Energy Camp Board of Directors
Oklahoma Eighth-Graders Attend Statewide Energy Camp
Seventy-seven students from across Oklahoma attended the 2023 Energy Camp on May 30 – June 2, sponsored by Oklahoma’s Electric Cooperatives. Northwestern Electric Cooperative was well represented by John Campbell of Arnett, Graham Heidlebaugh of Vici, and Braxton Kraus of Woodward.
While at camp students had the chance to climb a utility pole, go up in a bucket truck, and participate in many group activities and leadership workshops. Overall, these eighthgraders had the chance to learn about the cooperative business model, power source generation, transmission and distribution power lines, electrical safety and the history of Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives.
The campers also experienced the cooperative business model
firsthand by electing a board of directors who then interviewed and hired a camp manager. The elected directors and camp manager maintained leadership roles during camp operations and acted as liaisons between the campers and counsel-
the importance of equipment, and learn about electricity and how it travels through wires as well as humans.”
The board of directors also mentioned skills developed during camp such as working together, leadership skills and interview skills.
This year’s Energy Camp Manager was Emerson McElroy from Choctaw Electric Cooperative, and the board said she did a fantastic job leading the camp in her role.
“On behalf of all the 2023 Energy Campers, we would like to THANK the electric cooperatives of Oklahoma for allowing students the opportunity to attend Energy Camp,” the board wrote. “We are grateful for the memories we made and the relationships we developed. Thank you.”
ors at times. They also wrote a press release about the camp with statements compiled from the board of directors.
“Energy Camp was fun and exciting,” the board noted. “We learned how to climb a pole, use different equipment, learn about
Energy Camp applications for eighth-graders who live in Northwestern Electric’s territory will be accepted in the spring. Until then, keep an eye on our website and Facebook page to learn more about our youth programs – many of which (like Energy Camp) do NOT require a co-op membership to participate!
Board of Trustees
Kenny Knowles, President | Arnett
Gilbert Perkins, Vice President | Gate
Clair Craighead | Woodward
Duane Henderson | Mooreland
John Bruce Jr., Secretary/Treasurer | Sharon Brycen Shoaf | Taloga
Jeff McIntosh | Quinlan
Darla Young | Buffalo
Marvin Wilkinson | Buffalo
TYSON LITTAU, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
