Until 1964, Eastern Recreation Camps for the children of African-American employees were held separately, at a camp operated by West Virginia State College and the WV Board of Education. The facility was named in honor of Booker T Washington and George Washington Carver. Eastern Recreation programs at Camp Washington-Carver were provided by a separate staff.

Earl C. Clay joined the staff of Eastern Gas and Fuel Recreation Camps during the 1948 camping season, and served for 16 years as Director of Camp Washington-Carver. Mr. Clay was born in Lewisburg, West Virginia. He received his his college education at West Virginia Collegiate Institute, now West Virginia State College, graduating with a degree of Bachelor of Science in 1930. Mr. Clay completed his Master of Science in Education in 1946 at Virginia State College, in Ettrick, Virginia. He was married and was the father of three children. For many years he was principal of Bolling High and Elementary School in Lewisburg, West Virginia.