Youth Summer Camp Program

4-H Summer Camp is our residential summer camp program available to youth ages 9-18. Sessions typically last for one week; however, this may vary depending on the group being served.

During the past 50 years more than 171,000 youth from central, western, and southwestern Virginia have attended 4-H Camp at our Smith Mountain Lake location! The Skelton 4-H Center provides a safe, healthy, and supportive environment* for the region’s youth. It provides them the chance to interact with their peers as well as caring, attentive adults who will serve as role models for their week of camp.

Skelton 4-H also holds a variety of specialty camps offered throughout the year for junior 4-H campers ages 9 to 13. Our specialty camps focus on a specialized interests but still incorporate fun for any camper as well. Some themes we have hosted in the past include Top Chef Camp, LEGO Robotics Camp, and even Harry Potter Camp. We have the unique opportunity to cater to the interests of all campers, which makes for a great weekend. These camps will be posted online and on our Facebook page throughout the year, so be on the lookout for these exciting opportunities!

And to learn more about the 4-H Program and it’s benefits to the community visit the 4-H Website!

*if your child has specific dietary needs, please speak with your 4-H Agent about ways we can accommodate. We can easily prepare vegetarian meals as well as gluten-free and dairy-free selections with proper notification. Our kitchen is ServSafe certified and our staff completes regular training with VCE Food and Consumer Science trainers.

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

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.

Summer Staff in Training Program

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

2024 Summer Camp schedule !

Find your county or city’s camp week.

Then contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent to register by clicking the above link or just give us a call!

Alleghany 540-862-0369
Augusta 540-245-5750
Bath 540-839-7261
Bedford 540-586-7675
Botetourt 540-473-8260
Craig 540-864-5812
Danville 434-799-6558

Floyd 540-745-9307
Franklin 540-483-5161
Giles 540-921-3455
Halifax 434-476-2147
Henry 276-634-4650
Highland 540-468-2225
Montgomery 540-382-5790

Patrick 276-694-3341
Pittsylvania 434-432-7770
Pulaski 540-980-7761
Roanoke 540-772-7524
Rockbridge 540-463-4734
Rockingham 540-564-3080

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