4-H News: 4-H Camp Coming Soon!

March 10, 2023

By Katie Martin -UT, Extension Agent – Looking for some summer fun? What about something exciting for your children or grandchildren to do this summer? Look no further than 4-H Camp! 4-H camps offer

4-H’ers a chance to have fun, meet new friends, hang out with old friends, learn new skills, and develop positive self-esteem. 4-H Camp builds self-confidence and maturity and provides youth with the chance to meet and make friends from throughout Tennessee, all while offering an exceptional learning experience!

4-H Camp registration will open on Monday, April 3 for Smith County 4-H’ers and will remain open until the May 12 deadline. 4-H’ers can register and pay for camp at the UT Extension Office, located at 125 Gordonsville Highway in Carthage. Our office hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. This year, partial scholarships in the amount of $160 will be available for Junior 4-H Camp. Scholarship applications can be picked up at our office or found on our website at smith.tennesse.edu. Scholarship applications are due by April 14.

Junior 4-H Camp for 4-H’ers in grades 4th – 6th will be June 5-9, 2023, at the Clyde M. York 4-H Center in Crossville, Tennessee. The cost of camp is $320, which includes meals, room, board, most activities, and transportation. Activities consist of swimming, canoeing, fishing, arts & crafts, wildlife, sports, woodworking, tie-dyeing, airbrush, rifle range, archery and many additional camp activities. Activities are designed to be hands-on and fun so that children are actively engaged. Camp applications may be picked up at the Smith County 4-H office and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis from April 3rd until the May 12th deadline. Visit our website for more information.

Jr. High 4-H Camp for students in grades 7th and 8th will be May 29-June 2, 2023, also at the Clyde M. York 4-H Center in Crossville. The cost to attend is $330. The registration deadline for Junior High 4-H Camp is April 28. The activities for Jr. High camp include everything from ax throwing to night ziplining and all of the classic camp activities you could ask for!

We also have several specialty camps available:

May 29-June 2: Target Smart Camp (Grades 5-9) – Clyde York 4-H Center, Crossville. Cost: $360. Topics include rifle, archery, muzzleloader, and hunting & outdoor skills! Registration due before April 28.

June 26-29: Electric Camp (Grades 6-7) – UT, Knoxville. Cost: $290. Registration deadline is April 28. Scholarships are available! Electric camp features learning centers using hands-on activities that allow 4-H members to explore STEM fields and learn by doing.

June 13-16: Academic Conference: (Grades 6-8) – UT, Knoxville. Cost: $100. Delegates are selected on basis of application. Application forms are due March 24. 4-H’ers may attend in a specific project area where they can explore topics ranging from Veterinary Science to Sheep to Economics.

July 4-7: Central Region Pioneer Camp (Grades 7-9) – Camp Woodlee, Warren County. Cost: $175 + transportation. Campers will enjoy 3 days of creek stomping, axe throwing, campfire cooking, fun, and adventure! Registration due by April 14.

July 5-7: Performing and Fine Arts Camp (Grades 9-12) – Clyde M. York 4-H Center, Crossville. Cost: $235. At this brand-new camp, there are four tracks offered that include theatre performance, musical performance (instrumental and vocal), dance, and fine arts. The deadline to apply is March 31.

July 11-13: Culinary Camp– Regional Road Trip (Grades 6-8), Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville. Cost: $150 + transportation. Campers will enjoy learning to make the cuisine that Tennessee is famous for! The registration deadline is April 14. Limit of two campers from Smith County.

You can get more information about summer camps and conferences at our website, smith.tennessee.edu, under the 4-H Youth Programs tab. Call 615-735-2900 today to learn more about any of these exciting 4-H camps!

The 4-H Youth Development Program delivers programs through cooperative efforts of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee State University, and public and private sector volunteers. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades 4-12, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

Last year’s 4-H campers enjoyed activities including zip lining, canoeing, swimming, shooting sports, group sports, fishing, nature hikes, leather craft and woodworking, T-shirt airbrushing, and more.