Mason schools host Outdoor Youth Expo

The event was founded 23 years ago, but was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns. This year’s festivities were sponsored by Pleasant Valley Hospital. Randy Searls was the event’s emcee.

The stated goal of the Expo is to promote awareness of positive, safe and drug-free recreational activities for students, families and communities.

Both days began with introductory words from Searls and Mason County Schools Superintendent Keith Burdette. Searls told the students that they wanted to show them all the possibilities of the outdoors, and urged them to say no to drugs.

There were displays from 26 organizations at this year’s event, including the West Virginia Trappers Association, Snakes of WV U.S. Forest Service, the Marshall University Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, the WV DEP Mobile Aquarium, Nucor and the WV Department of Agriculture.

The Ohio School of Falconry was on hand both days to provide demonstrations, bringing with them a falcon, an owl, a buzzard and an eagle.

The Falconry’s Joseph Dorrian invited students to receive a bird upon it being called. Dorrian also provided the students with an education on each bird.

Dorrian explained that the falcon can travel at speeds up to 271 mph. He also told the students that an owl can hear a mouse move a third of a mile away. Dorrian presented a Patagonian buzzard eagle to the students, which he told them is from South America. Dorrian also invited school faculty members to compete in a “hooting” competition, to the delight of the students.

Local historian Craig Hesson delivered a tutorial for the students on Chief Cornstalk (Hokoleskwa). Hesson explained the details of the legendary Shawnee leader’s life, including the events surrounding his death while being held prisoner at Fort Randolph. The chief had been taken prisoner at the fort while paying a diplomatic visit.

The event also included raffle prize drawings, with prizes such as bicycles, fishing poles and camping gear.

Superintendent Burdette said he was happy with this years Expo, and thankful for everyone who contributed to it.

“The Outdoor Youth Expo is unique to Mason County. I am not aware of anything like this anywhere else in West Virginia. Through the efforts of the planning committee, exhibitors and sponsors, elementary students are introduced to a wide variety of outdoor activities they possibly hadn’t seen or experienced before. The Expo reminds students there are lots of things to do outdoors that are fun and contribute to a healthy lifestyle,” Burdette said.