4-H News: Junior 4-H Camp

June 30, 2023

Forty-eight excited and eager 4-H’ers departed from Smith County on Monday, June 5th to attend Junior 4-H Camp at the Clyde M. York 4-H Center in Crossville for the week. Assisting with camp activities during the week were teen leaders Emma Brown, Courtney Dickens, Austin Goodman, and Donnie Eldridge along with Extension agents, camp staff, and adult leaders Mckenzie Mason and Jerry Hughes.

Junior 4-H Camp is for youth who have completed grades 4-6. Smith County attended camp with 4-H’ers and leaders from Putnam, Macon, Franklin, Morgan, Coffee, Jackson and DeKalb Counties. Activities campers could participate in included zip lining, swimming, shooting sports, group sports, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, nature hikes, leather crafts and woodworking, tie dyeing, and more.

Campers were able to participate in sports tournaments, attend a campfire complete with s’mores, and hear the camp ghost story of “Herman the German.” There was also a dance and a movie night with popcorn. Several Smith County campers were even recognized with the Camp Spirit Award and Camp Service Award for the week. 4-H’ers spent the week trying new things, making new friends, and having fun.

We would like to especially thank the individuals and community partners who donated scholarships to help fourteen campers attend Jr. 4-H Camp this year. Thank you also to River City Ball who generously sponsored our camp t-shirts.

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. For further information concerning the many opportunities that 4-H has to offer the youth in Smith County, call 615-735-2900.

48 Smith County Campers enjoying Clyde M. York 4-H Camp.