About Us
The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center in Harmony Hollow, adjacent to the Shenandoah National Park and The Appalachian Trail. We are only a few miles from Interstate 66 as well as Interstate 81. No picture could do it justice, however, the view from our mountainside location in Front Royal, VA is pristine and one of a kind. The 4-H Center boasts a rich history, we invite you to explore.
We offer many different programming opportunities such as Low and High Ropes Challenge Course, a 2-sided Climbing Tower, as well as Environmental Education and Outdoor Education. Along with those opportunities, we also offer conferencing space and facilities for retreats. We are designed to accommodate any size group up to 340 at affordable rates and prices. We offer a complete line of quality services including but not limited to: lodging, meals, meeting rooms, and recreational facilities.
The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center is also the proud home of Camp Fantastic, a one-week adventure for children with cancer, as well as many other weekend programs offered by its sponsor, Special Love, Inc.
Brief History of the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center
In February of 1976, 229 acres of the original Remount Station located on Highway 522 North outside of Front Royal were deeded to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for the creation of a youth development center; this was the early beginning of the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center. Congressman J. Kenneth Robinson and Senator Harry Byrd were instrumental in seeing this accomplished. The 4-H Center received its charter as a non-profit corporation in May 1976 and by the end of the year, a Board of Directors was meeting regularly with an emphasis on raising funds to build a facility.
The 4-H Center received an EDA Local Public Works and Capital Development program in the amount of $532,000.00. The ground-breaking ceremonies were held in late 1977 and the official opening of the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center was held on May 17, 1980. The first camping season was held in 1981 and 270 4-Hers had the opportunity to experience the new facility. John Dooley accepted directorship in 1981. The pool, volleyball courts, three tennis courts, two basketball courts, softball field, soccer field, archery range, and the first of three picnic shelters were all built in 1981.
Progress at the Center continued over the next three years with the addition of several new counties participating in the camping experience and the creation of new programs. Camp Fantastic, the award-winning camp for people with cancer or in remission brought 30 campers to the Center in 1983. New additions to the Center were the construction of an additional lodge named in honor of William Vincent Robinson, the fitness trail, and a campfire circle.
By 1986, the Center was turning away youth due to space constraints. The dining facilities, administrative offices, and infirmary were taking up valuable space in the sleeping quarters. The “Complete the Dream” campaign started in 1988 with a goal of raising $3.6 million to construct a dining hall, conference center, administrative office, and an additional lodge. A mere 2 years later, the additional buildings were completed and proved priceless for accommodating a greater number of youth. A ropes course was installed in 1991 with funds donated by Special Love, Inc., the organization that sponsors Camp Fantastic.
Today, the Center is concentrating on the renovation of existing facilities and the creation of new, exciting programs. The "Dreams Need Heroes" campaign is dedicated to the preservation of the origional 20th Century US Cavalry Remount Depot as well as enhancing and developing equine programs. Our facility is open year-round and is designed for groups at affordable prices. We offer a complete line of services including handicapped accessible heated lodging, dining service, wireless internet, meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment, and recreational facilities. We welcome mid-week and weekend business for conferences, seminars, retreats, and workshops. We look forward to serving you!
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.