Anita - Alta 4-H Outpost Camp

Transcribed from the Caldwell County Heritage Book. Submitted to the book by Mrs Grant Moore. Sources: Lenoir News-Topic of October 11, 1975 and Octover 12, 1973.

The facilities included eight tents erected on platforms, two wash houses with latrines, cold showers, and sinks, a beautiful open shelter for group use, picnic tables, cooking utensils, and archery range and many trails for hiking and nature study.

A Caldwell County couple who lost their two children to polio gave their 375-acre farm to the state 4-H organization so that "other children might enjoy the out-of-doors".

Mr and Mrs Luther Robinson, 1314 Norwood Street, SW, announced their gift to the State 4-H Development Foundation, affiliated with NC State University, during a luncheon at the Lenoir Country Club attended by state and local 4-H leaders, officials of NC State University, and local citizens.

The 375-acre secluded tract, located in upper Mulberry Valley about 10 miles northwest of Lenoir, is surrounded on three sides by the Pisgah National Forest, and includes both lowlands and forested uplands. It was the birthplace of both Robinson daughters.

"We have been greatly impressed with the present 4-H program and we believe it gives promise of rapid growth and greater service in future years," Robinson said.

The Robinon children, Anita and Alta, were stricken with polio during 1953 epidemic. Anita died within a few days. Alta lived in an iron lung for 17 years before her death in 1970.

Dr Chester Black, state 4-H leader, announced that the land would be used for "outpost" or "primitive" camping, which we said would add a new dimension for 4-H camping, and aid 4-H expansion in urban areas.

"We want this gift to be a sort of 'thank you, thank you, thank you' to thousands of people who opened their hearts to us," said Robinson in emotion-packed remarks to the gathering.

Robinson, former superintendent of both the Caldwell County and Lenoir City schools, noted in his remarks that the property is "part of a much larger area once belonging to our children's maternal grandparents dating back five generations to Annie Boone Coffey, daughter of Jessie Boone and niece of Daniel Boone".

Noting that "camping is an important and integral part of the 4-H program". Black annonced that the tract will be groomed to include a caretaker's residence, a picnic area with recreational equipment for campers, and improved road into the area, and outdoor chapel, and other facilities for a dispensary, food storage, office space and emergency shelters.

Robinson, who has been engaged in public school work for 38 years, graduated in 1929 from Wake Forest University. A native of Watauga County, he served six years as superintendent of the Caldwell County schools, and one years as superintendent of the city schools.

A native of Caldwell County, Mrs Robinson taught public school in Caldwell County for five years. She operated a florist business for 14 years until their two daughters were stricken with polio.

The story of the family's battle with polio is described ina book, We Made Peace with Polio, written by Robinson and published in 1960.