Countless Opportunities!

Summer camp at the Skelton 4-H Center gives youth ages 9-18 years old the opportunities to learning more about themselves, their peers, and the natural world around them. Through a wide range of camp programs, participants are educated by hands-on activities so they may “learn by doing”. Days are filled with instructed camp classes, unstructured recreation and swim time, flag ceremonies, and evening programs to end each day.

Major Benefits

One of the major benefits to 4-H campers is that they have such a wide range of camp classes to choose from. This is possible thanks to the partnership between the 4-H Center and your local 4-H Program. Campers have as many as 20-40 forty classes to choose from! Some of the classes offered include Basic Horsemanship, Riflery, Swimming, Canoeing, Climbing Tower, Multimedia, LEGO Mindstorm Robotics, Kayaking, Outdoor Adventures, Performing Arts, Arts & Crafts, Mobile Technology, Low Ropes Course, Archery, and Small Animal Science. All courses are taught by our highly trained and professional camp staff. Local 4-H Programs supplement 4-H Center classes by offering a variety of other options ranging from martial arts to spa treatment and campfire cookery to boot-camp!

BunkOne (formerly BunkNotes)

Want to get in touch with a specific camper? The Skelton 4-H Center has partnered with BunkOne to provide emails to campers for a nominal fee.

Teen Counselors, Adult Volunteers and 4-H Center Camp Staff all work together to supervise campers. Teen counselors and adult volunteers are recruited, screened, and trained in their home counties with support provided by the 4-H Center. Full time Summer Staff participate in more than two (2) weeks of mandatory, intensive staff training prior to the start of camp. The 4-H Center’s supervision policy includes a minimum of a 1:6 staff to camper ratio for 4-H Camp.

For more information about becoming a Teen Counselor (14-18 years of age) or an Adult Volunteer, please contact your local 4-H Agent OR the 4-H Center (skelton4Hcamp@vt.edu).

Each week of 4-H Camp features at least two (2) highly trained, experienced, and professional Camp Directors including your local 4-H Extension Agent (or trained designee) as well as the 4-H Center Summer Program Director.

The Staff-In-Training (SIT) program selects qualified teens for the opportunity to serve as “junior” staff members. After a two-week period and with exceptional performance they will be offered a third week of traing through our District Camp. SITs have the opportunity to positively impact campers from other counties while experiencing “the life of a staff member.”

SITs will be assigned a mentor (a veteran staff member) on a weekly basis to spend time with and shadow, while assisting with classes and other camp operations. SITs are volunteer positions with lodging and meals provided. If at any point the SIT is not meeting expectations set during orientation, their involvement in the program will be terminated and they will then leave the 4-H Center.  A successful SIT experience gives them the opportunity to showcase their abilities and improve their chances to be hired in future years as camp staff. However, participation in the program does not guarantee employment.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the SIT program, you must be 17 or 18 years old and a senior in high school or a recent high school graduate. Participants must be available for the entirety of a session and each session will accept no more than four candidates.

To Apply: Fill out the online SIT application as directed. A conversation will then be opened between you and the Program Director to schedule an interview and your weeks on camp. The applications are due no later than Valentine’s Day, so get yours in early! To discuss this opportunity, please contact the Program Director at 540-721-2759 ext. 253