The Statewide 4-H Photo Camp wrapped up its first year at Briggs Woods Park on Wednesday by showcasing the work of attending teenagers.

Cheryll Entriken, county youth coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach, said the camp teaches seventh through twelfth graders about photography principals over the course of three days. The camp, now in its tenth year, was previously held at the Iowa 4-H Center in Madrid. The move had its benefits, according to Howard Haase, coordinator of the professional photography program at Iowa Central Community College.

“This has been a wonderful facility,” he said while standing in the red barn shelter of the park. “This whole area is so conducive to photography.”

Haase has worked with the camp since its first year. He said his continued participation is the result of the dedication of fellow camp leaders and the work of the youth who take part.

“The kids are just always so enthusiastic. It’s a wonderful experience,” Haase said.

4-H members at the camp took part in different activities each day. Entriken said it began by teaching teens about the functions of their camera and gave them time to experiment. The second day had camp members hop on a bus for an all-day photo shoot. Entriken said the camp has gone to many places during their annual photo tour. This year’s trip went through an abandoned farmstead, a rural bridge, Wilson Brewer Park and other places which she said helped 4-H members put what they learned on the first day of camp to use.

“They’re trying to teach the kids to view their photography in a different manner,” Entriken said.

For the final day of camp, teens learned some photo composition tips and took more pictures around Briggs Woods Park. Those who picked up camp-goers on Wednesday afternoon were able to see some of the photography on display in a slideshow. Jenna Short, who said she’s attended the camp for four years, said it has provided her with a lot of valuable skills.

“When I started off, I was awful at taking pictures and now I have a lot of success at the county level, at least,” Short said, adding that she enjoyed seeing the returning camp leaders each year.