HINTON, W.Va. (AP) - A camp for environmental education is now open to the public in Summers County.
The Register-Herald reports that Camp Brookside celebrated its grand opening Saturday afternoon.
National Park Service District Supervisor David Bieri says the camp is opening as a residential center and environmental education center for locals.
He says Camp Brookside will feature day camps and overnight activities for children. It will also include activities such as paddle board lessons, Tai Chi, hikes, yoga and more.
"The possibilities for this camp are wide open," he said. "We have a partnership with a local group called Active Southern West Virginia, and we're doing health and wellness programs through the summer.
The camp was formerly an employee camp for Union Carbide employees from Alloy. It was bought by the National Parks Service in 1993 and was restored thanks to funds by U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, who died in 2010.
Bieri said he hopes the public comes to the park often.
"There's a national park right here in their backyard," he said. "This is their park. Getting kids out here is a way to get kids involved in learning, and when kids come, their parents come. It's great for everyone."