4-H Jr. Camp
Beginning in 1978, the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center's biggest effort has been the summer 4-H camping program. Each year, we host over 2,000 campers and volunteers for 8-10 weeks of summer camp fun.
Under the guidance of caring, trained, professional staff, youth between the ages of 5-19 years will laugh, grow and learn through a variety of wonderful activities. From riflery to robotics, canoeing to horseback riding, we offer fun, exciting and educational hands-on activities for campers in a socially-positive environment. For more information on camp registration, and pricing, contact your local Extension Office listed below.
2012 Summer Camp Dates ;)
| June 10-14 | |
| June 17-21 | |
| June 24-28 | |
| July 1-5 | |
| July 8-12 | |
| July 15-19 | |
| July 22-26 | |
| August 5-9 |
What is the purpose of 4-H camping?
- 4-H camping is cooperative group living in a natural environment that focuses on developing life skills—social, spiritual, mental, and physical development—in young people.
- 4-H camping emphasizes experiential learning (“learn by doing”)
Who participates?
- Approximately 3,000 youth ages 5-18 are involved in 4-H Center programming annually.
- Approximately 300 4-H teen and adult volunteer leaders support, supervise, and teach those youth.
How are youth involved?
The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center provides opportunities for youth in three ways: 4-H residential camping, 4-H specialty/day camping, and 4-H school enrichment based upon the Virginia Standards of Learning.
What type of educational programming is provided?
Leadership development, environmental and aquatic science, shooting education, robotics, outdoor adventure, low ropes course, climbing, arts/craft, journalism/broadcasting, horsemanship/animal science, wildlife, fishing, swimming, rappelling, communication and expressive arts.
How do youth benefit from 4-H camping?*
- Youth have the opportunity to learn and have fun in a safe environment while surrounded by caring adults.
- A study of the impacts of Virginia 4-H camping conducted in 2002 with 11,000 youth campers (ages 9-13) from across the state of Virginia found that 4-H camp participation helped youth to learn to:
- Make new friends
- Develop new skills
- Become more independent and able to take care of themselves
- A study of 363 parents/guardians of Virginia 4-H campers conducted in 2001 found that 4-H camp participation changed youths’ behaviors in the areas of:
- Taking care of their own things (self-responsibility)
- Becoming more independent/Taking initiative
- Sharing
*Garst, B. A. & Bruce, F. A. (2002, in press). Identifying 4-H Camping Outcomes Using a Standardized Evaluation Process across Multiple 4-H Educational Centers. Journal of Extension
The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center is accredited by the American Camp Association. 
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.