Gnats were buzzing around their heads. Sweat was stinging their eyes. The sun was hot and not even a breeze was stirring, but everything was "cool" at 4-H Natural Resources Day Camp at Clay Hill Farms Tuesday.

Between 55 and 60 youngsters, "at last count" spent the day learning about Mother Nature and how to how to abide with her.

"This is more fun than TV," said Jordan Grace. "It's hot but this camp is really cool. What I've liked best is learning how to find my way in the woods with a compass. But, everything was fun. I've liked it all. The snakes, fishing, the Mountain Man. It's all been fun."

The day's activities were planned by the Pike County Forestry Planning Committee and the Pike County 4-H Council.

Tammy Powell, county extension coordinator, said the two groups did an outstanding job planning the activities.

"A good time was had by all," Powell said, with a smile. "All the classes were taught by experts in the different areas and I'm sure each participant in the camp learned a lot in addition to having a day of fun."

Activities at the camp included hunter education and safety, fishing, orienteering, snakes, and pioneering skills.

For some of the campers, it was their first time sighting a target and/or plopping a cork in the water.

Ronnie Hurst liked the hunter education class and repeatedly dinged the duck target.

"But, I liked the compass class, too," he said. "I like walking in the woods and using a compass was fun. I found all the points with the compass, so I learned a lot."

Jake Bohanan liked shooting the targets, too, but he also like the Mountain Man.

"But" was the byword for the 4-H Natural Resources Day Camp. The kids said they liked one thing best, then added, "but" because they also liked everything else.

Even though the sun was hot and the humidity was high, the kids were able to give their full attention to Dalton Halbrooks, the Mountain Man.

"We learned a lot about the Indians," Jake said. "I didn't know that there are more Indians here now than there were back a long time ago. I learned how the Indians and the Mountain Men traded and about bears, deer and buffalo and about fur traders. It was great.'

Clayton Baker was also impressed by the Mountain Man and how he lives.

"He lives like they did a long time ago," he said. "I liked to listen to him tell stories. It was hot, but I didn't care. I had a real good time."

Powell said the 4-H Natural Resources Day Camp was a great success.

"The camp got about 60 young people out of the house and away from the TV and the Game Boy for a day,' she said. "They found out that they can have fun in the outdoors and that there are many lessons to be learned in the outdoors. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we want to thank John and Carol Dorrill for allowing us to hold the camp at Clay Hill Farms."

Powell also expressed appreciation to all of those who worked so hard to make this event one that the youngsters will long remember.