4-H Camp Counselors Accused Of Arranging Fistfights
POSTED: 5:42 p.m. EDT July 8, 2003
ROANOKE, Va. -- Police are investigating charges that 4-H camp counselors in Virginia arranged fistfights between campers as young as 9 years old. What's more, there are reports that the counselors charged admission -- and that they and the campers made bets on the fights.
The sheriff's office said the youngsters were told to lie about the fights after several campers suffered black eyes and one broke his hand.
About 300 children ages nine to 13 attended last week's camp near Roanoke.
The investigation began after a parent said his 10-year-old boy returned from camp with a black eye, claiming it was a basketball injury. He said his son was forced to defend himself five times during the week; he won the first four fights and was knocked out the fifth time.
Girls attended the camp, but the sheriff said the fights involved only boys. Boys who didn't want to participate were reportedly confined to their cabins.
A camp spokesman said the 4-H camp was supervised by four teenage counselors and two adult counselors when the fights allegedly occurred.
POSTED: 5:42 p.m. EDT July 8, 2003
ROANOKE, Va. -- Police are investigating charges that 4-H camp counselors in Virginia arranged fistfights between campers as young as 9 years old. What's more, there are reports that the counselors charged admission -- and that they and the campers made bets on the fights.
The sheriff's office said the youngsters were told to lie about the fights after several campers suffered black eyes and one broke his hand.
About 300 children ages nine to 13 attended last week's camp near Roanoke.
The investigation began after a parent said his 10-year-old boy returned from camp with a black eye, claiming it was a basketball injury. He said his son was forced to defend himself five times during the week; he won the first four fights and was knocked out the fifth time.
Girls attended the camp, but the sheriff said the fights involved only boys. Boys who didn't want to participate were reportedly confined to their cabins.
A camp spokesman said the 4-H camp was supervised by four teenage counselors and two adult counselors when the fights allegedly occurred.
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