CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice announced today that Cabwaylingo State Forest will open its group camp facility so Dunlow Elementary School students can resume in-person instruction after their school suffered damage from recent flooding.
“This is what West Virginians do when our neighbors are in trouble; we step up to the plate and help in any way we can,” Gov. Justice said. “The challenges posed by the pandemic already caused our kids to miss too many days of school this year, so we needed to do everything in our power to get the students of Dunlow Elementary back in the classroom where they belong and where they thrive. I thank everyone with our West Virginia State Parks and especially those at Cabwaylingo State Forest who are making this important adjustment possible.”
Students and school staff will attend class five days a week at Cabwaylingo’s group camp, beginning Monday, March 15, 2021, through the end of the school year on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Wayne County Schools will provide bus service to the camp.
The camp’s two large, barrack-style rooms will be used for classroom space. The common area will be used for art, physical education, and music classes, as well as for serving breakfast and lunch. Weather permitting, an outside pavilion will also be used for meals and classes.
“The West Virginia State Parks team is always here to support our communities,” said Division of Natural Resources Director Steve McDaniel. “We're honored to open Cabwaylingo’s group camp to Dunlow Elementary and hope each student, teacher, and staff member feels at home while they’re here.”
Wayne County Schools will provide tables, chairs, and instructional materials, as well as food and custodial services while classes are offered at Cabwaylingo. Weekly food deliveries will occur during school hours. COVID-19 protocols issued by the West Virginia Department of Education and Wayne County Schools will continue to be followed.