What are the eligibility requirements for 4-H camp? Does my child have to be a 4-H member in order to attend 4-H camp?
4-H camp is available to both male and female youth. A young person
does not have to be a 4-H member in order to attend 4-H camp. Some
types of 4-H camps are designed for youth of a specific age. For more
information, contact your local 4-H Extension Agent.
How do I register my child for 4-H camp?
Junior 4-H Camp, which occurs each summer, is coordinated through your
local Cooperative Extension office. You should contact your local 4-H
Extension Agent for more information.
Additional 4-H camps may be available throughout the year at the 4-H Center that serves your county or city. To learn more about these 4-H camps, contact the 4-H Center Program Director. Click here to see a map if you are not sure which 4-H Center serves the county/city in which you live.
What is the 4-H camp mission, philosophy, and program emphasis?
The mission of the Virginia 4-H camping is the same as the overall 4-H
mission- "To assist youth and adults working with those youth to
realize their full potential-becoming effective, contributing citizens
through participation in research-based, informal, hands-on
experience."
4-H camping is a proven and effective way of reaching and teaching youth educational programming. Virginia 4-H camping programs are used to enhance life skill development using hands-on learning in a cooperatively environment.
The camping philosophy in Virginia 4-H is dedicated to the positive individual development of youth through experiential learning to promote advancement in life skills-knowledge, skills, abilities, and attitudes that will enable youth to become self-directed, contributing members of society. This supports the 'learn-by-doing' philosophy of 4-H.
At which 4-H Center does my child camp?
There are six 4-H
educational centers (i.e., 4-H Centers) in Virginia. Each 4-H Center
has a specific service area based upon its geographic location. Youth
attend 4-H camp at a specific 4-H Center based upon where they reside.
Click here to see a map if you are not sure which 4-H Center serves the
county/city in which you live.
Are the 4-H Centers accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA)?
Each of Virginia's six 4-H educational centers has received American
Camp Association (ACA) accreditation. ACA Accreditation indicates that
the camp's administration has voluntarily allowed its practices to be
compared with the standards established by professionals in the camping
industry (ACA, 1998, p. 4).
ACA Accreditation assures parents/guardians that the 4-H Centers have had a regular, independent safety audit that goes beyond most state regulations. Many parents prefer an ACA accredited camp over other camps that are not ACA accredited.
Each 4-H Center is visited every three (3) years and must comply annually with ACA standards in order to maintain accreditation.
Who is the 4-H camp director during my child's week of camp?
For
Junior 4-H Camp conducted each summer, the 4-H Extension Agent (or
other Extension faculty/staff person responsible for 4-H camp in your
county or city) serves as the 4-H Camp Director. This person works
cooperatively with the Program Director at the appropriate 4-H Center
to plan, implement, and evaluate 4-H camp.
What is the counselor-to-camper ratio at 4-H camp?
The
counselor-to-camper ratio for Junior 4-H camp (which serves youth ages
9-13) is 1:8 or better. In many instances, this ratio may be 1:7 or 1:6
because of additional trained 4-H camp counselors.
The counselor-to-camper ratio for 4-H Cloverbud camps (which serves youth ages 5-8) is 1:5 or better.
The counselor-to-camper ration for 4-H teen camps (which serves youth ages 14-18) is 1:10 or better.
These ratios are consistent with the standards established by the American Camp Association.
How will my child be supervised while at 4-H camp? Is there ever a time when my child will not be supervised?
Your
child will be supervised at all times while attending 4-H Camp,
including sleeping and resting hours, at all meals, during afternoon
recreational "free-time," evening programs, and instructional class
periods. While your child is in his/her lodge room, he or she will be
supervised by a trained teen counselor, and in some instances, both a
teen counselor and a counselor-in-training. Additionally, each lodge
will be supervised by an adult who is at least 21 years old.
While in classes, your child will be supervised by trained, collegiate-aged instructional staff members and 2-4 counselors and/or CIT's. Afternoon recreational "free-time," meals, and evening programs are supervised by both Airfield's volunteer and paid camp staff, including the CIT's, counselors, adult volunteers, paid collegiate instructional staff members, Extension Agents and the 4-H Camp Program Director.
How will my child be supervised at night and during "free-time?"
There will never be a time period at camp where your child is
unsupervised, including at night and during "free-time." At night, each
lodge room is supervised by a trained teen counselor, and in some
instances, both a teen counselor and a counselor-in-training.
Additionally, each lodge will be supervised by an adult who is at least
21 years old. The Airfield 4-H Center also employees nighttime security
personnel, who patrol the camp grounds periodically each night. The
security personnel has been trained to investigate, handle, and report
any intruders, noise, commotion, incidents, or anything else out of the
ordinary to the Camp Director for further action.
During afternoon "free-time," your child will be supervised by both Airfield's volunteer and paid camp staff, including the CIT's, counselors, adult volunteers, paid collegiate instructional staff members, Extension Agents and the 4-H Camp Program Director.
What percentage of 4-H camp staff are volunteer and what percentage of 4-H camp staff are paid? What are their ages?
Junior 4-H camp uses a combination of paid summer 4-H camp staff (which
are employed and trained by each 4-H Center) and 4-H camp teen and
adult volunteers (which are recruited and trained by each local
Cooperative Extension office). Approximately 1/3 of 4-H camp staff are
paid and approximately 2/3 are volunteers. Paid staff members are
generally ages 18-24 years old. Teen volunteers are ages 14-18, and
adult volunteer staff are 19 years old and older.
How are 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff screened?
All 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff are required to complete an
application and interview. In addition, each applicant must submit
references that are checked during the screening process.
What training do paid 4-H camp counselors receive? How many hours?
Paid
summer 4-H camp staff members-who are employed all summer at each 4-H
Center-receive approximately 8 days of training prior to camp,
including training in risk management, safety and emergency procedures,
youth behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention,
appropriate staff behavior, expectations for supervision, expectations
for teaching, instructional techniques, and program development.
What training do volunteer 4-H camp counselors receive? How many hours?
Volunteer
4-H camp staff members-who serve for one week-receive approximately 24
hours of training prior to camp, including expectations for youth
supervision, developmental characteristics of youth, safety and
emergency procedures, child abuse prevention, basics of risk
management, appropriate volunteer and camper behavior, dealing with
sensitive issues, and strategies for making camp an inclusive
environment.
How are paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff trained to prevent and/or report child abuse?
Paid
and volunteer 4-H camp staff members are taught to identify the
indicators of child abuse and maltreatment and the procedures for
reporting child abuse. If a paid and/or volunteer 4-H camp staff member
reports a suspicion of child abuse and/or maltreatment, the 4-H
Extension Agent (or other adult serving as 4-H Camp Director) and/or
the 4-H Center Program Director will report the suspicion to the
Department of Social Services.
What qualities are sought when hiring 4-H camp staff?
Paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff are expected to be a positive
influence on youth at all times. Because the Virginia 4-H has adopted
the CHARACTER COUNTS! program, most paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff
are trained in the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect,
Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. These are the
character traits that paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff members are
expected to demonstrate and to foster in the 4-H camp environment.
How are paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff supervised?
Paid 4-H camp staff are supervised by the 4-H Center Program Director
(in cooperation with the 4-H Extension Agent or other adult responsible
for 4-H camp) through a combination of direct observation, one-on-one
meetings, and daily full staff meetings.
Volunteer 4-H camp staff are supervised by the 4-H Extension Agent (or other adult responsible for 4-H camp) in cooperation with the 4-H Center Program Director through a combination of direct observation, one-on-one meetings, and daily full staff meetings.
What percentage of the 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff returned from last year?
Approximately 40-60 percent of all paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff return from the previous year.
How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled at 4-H camp?
Behavioral
expectations and consequences are communicated through the 4-H
Code-of-Conduct, which campers and parents/guardians must sign prior to
camp. During camp, expectations for behavior are reviewed the first
day, and positive behavior is facilitated through positive
reinforcement and role-modeling. Corporal punishment is never allowed
in 4-H camp.
All 4-H camp staff are trained in the chain-of-command at the 4-H Center, as well as each individual's limits of authority. The authority for discipline at 4-H Camp is very limited; discipline for severe behavioral problems is solely determined by the 4-H Program Director and the 4-H Extension Agents.
4-H camp staff are trained to use the following appropriate discipline techniques when dealing with misbehavior:
What methods do you use to make your paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff sensitive to the needs and concerns of children?
Paid and volunteer staff 4-H camp staff are trained in the
developmental needs of youth, particularly the need for contact with
caring adults in a supportive environmental that fosters
skill-building. Paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff are expected to be
aware of their camper's needs and concerns and to address these needs
and concerns once they are identified. Paid and volunteer staff receive
training in limits of authority and appropriate discipline.
My child has special needs (i.e., physical, emotional, dietary,
etc.). Who do I contact to discuss my child's participation in 4-H camp?
For Junior 4-H camp, you should contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for discuss your child's needs.
For other types of 4-H camps conducted at a 4-H Center, you should contact the 4-H Center Program Director to discuss your child's needs.
How are 4-H camp staff trained to deal with homesickness?
Paid
and volunteer 4-H camp staff are trained to address homesickness by
providing a caring, understanding environment and through involvement.
Many 4-H campers are able to adjust to homesickness by being paired
with a "camper buddy" or "staff buddy" and through encouragement and
support. In instances in which these techniques are not effective,
parents/guardians are typically contacted to discuss other options.
This will be my child's first time attending 4-H camp. How can I prepare my child for this experience?*
Consider 4-H camp as a learning experience. 4-H camp is an opportunity
for your child to explore a world bigger than his/her neighborhood and
a chance for you and your child to practice "letting go." The process
of "letting go" allows children to develop autonomy and a stronger
sense of self, make new friends, develop new social skills, learn about
teamwork, be creative, and more. "Letting go" also provides
parents/guardians with the opportunity to take care of themselves so
that they feel refreshed when their child returns home from camp.
Prepare for 4-H camp together. Pre-camp decisions-such as signing up for 4-H camp classes and deciding what to pack--should be shared experience (based upon your child's maturity.) If your child feels a part of the decision-making process, his/her chances of having a positive experience at 4-H camp will improve.
Discuss any concerns that your child might have with going to 4-H camp. As the first day of 4-H camp nears, some children experience increased uneasiness about going away from home. Encourage your child to talk about these feelings rather than acting on what you think his/her feelings may be. Communicate confidence in your child's ability to handle being away from home.
Have realistic expectations for the 4-H camp experience. 4-H camp, like the rest of life, has high and low points. Not every moment will be filled with wonder and excitement. Encourage your child to have a reasonable and realistic view of 4-H camp. Discuss both the ups and downs your child may experience. Your child should not feel pressured to succeed at camp. The main purposes of 4-H camp are to learn, have fun, and to relax.
Adopted from the American Camp Association, 2004.
What are your policies regarding parent-camper communication and/or visitation while attending 4-H camp?
Parent-child
telephone communication and visitation while children are at 4-H camp
is discouraged. As 4-H camp is a brief, 5-day camping experience, it
has been discovered that children are less homesick and less adamant
about leaving camp to return home if they are not in verbal
communication with or are not visited by their parents during their
stay.
Should your child become severely homesick, the 4-H Program Director and/or the 4-H Extension Agent will contact you via telephone and allow you to speak with your child. After this phone call, the Camp Director(s) and the parent will determine whether the child should remain at camp or return home.
Additionally, should there be an emergency involving your child, you will be contacted immediately via the telephone.
However, parents may communicate with their children by mail and email. All postal mail should be addressed to your camper and sent to: 15189 Airfield Road/ Wakefield, Va 23888. Email may be sent by visiting this website: http://ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/airfield/campinfo.html
What items should my child pack for 4-H camp and what items should be left at home?
All campers should label every item in case items are misplaced or
lost. Campers are to pack enough clothing for 5 days and extra items in
case it rains or campers get dirty and want to change clothes. Below
are the suggestions of what to pack for camp:
The 4-H Center is not responsible for lost, misplaced, or stolen items of personal property; therefore, the bringing of expensive personal sports equipment, cameras, or other types of personal property is discouraged.
Cell phones, walkmans, and radios are not allowed at camp.
What happens if my child is injured at 4-H camp? What insurance will be used to pay for the medical expenses?
Each 4-H Center employs trained medical staff who respond to all
accidents, incidents, and illnesses. If your child suffers a minor
injury, accident, or illness at 4-H camp, medical assistance will be
provided by the 4-H Center EMT. If the injury requires emergency
services, you will be contacted by the 4-H Center EMT.
During the camping season, when treatment is required off the 4-H Center site for a camping participant injury or illness, the insurance company that parents have listed on the camping participant's Health History Report form will be given to the medical facility or physician as the entity responsible for the payment of all medical expense bills. It is to be clearly understood that all bills and expenses related to this off-site treatment will be the responsibility of the camping participant's parents or guardian.
When emergency services are provided, all expenses will be paid by parents/guardians' insurance which is identified on the camper's completed 4-H Health History Report Form. Any additional charges will be paid through American Income Life insurance which each 4-H Center has purchased.
What is the nature of the 4-H camp programs and activities? In other words, what will my child be doing at 4-H camp?
The goal of 4-H camp is to promote positive youth development through educational, recreational, and social experiences in an outdoor living environment not easily found in homes and communities. During the normal one-week camping event, youth are exposed to the following instructional programs: Fishing, Theatrical Arts, Riflery, Archery, Journalism, Fun with Foods, Swimming, Outdoor Living Skills, Challenge Course, Canoeing, Leathercraft, Nature Studies, and Arts and Crafts.
The typical camp schedule includes:
If 4-H camp must end at a time other than the scheduled conclusion
(for example, due to a multi-day power outage), how will I be notified?
In the event of a large fire, a multi-day power outage, or a meltdown
of the Surry Nuclear Power Plant that would force 4-H camp to end at a
time other than the scheduled conclusion, parents will be notified by
either the 4-H camp Program Director and/or the 4-H Extension Agents by
phone to alert parents when and where to pick their child up.
Will my child be allowed to keep his/her medication while at 4-H camp?
In most cases the answer is "no." All mediation for 4-H campers and
teen counselors (anyone under 18 years of age) must be turned-in to the
4-H Center's medical staff person according to the Virginia 4-H camping
medication policy. In addition, a completed "Medication Form" must be
submitted for all over-the-counter medications, and the instructions on
the form must match the instructions on the bottle.
The exception to this policy occurs in situations involving campers or teen counselors who have severe allergic reactions. In these instances, campers or teen counselors may be allowed to keep inhalers and other similar medication/devices with them in the event of an emergency.
How are medical needs handled at 4-H camp?
All campers, counselors, adult leaders, and Extension Agents must have
a complete Health History Form on file with the EMT during the camping
period. Any unusual health problems are to be brought to the EMT's
attention.
Before attending camp, the Health History Forms for all participants are to be submitted to the Extension Agent in charge. Any special instructions or administration of medication is to be reviewed by the Agent with the parent or guardian. Parents are to give all medications to the Extension Agent.
Upon arrival at the 4-H Center, the agent will review all records with the Center's EMT, especially those requiring special attention or medication. All medication will be given by the Agent to the Center's EMT.
The Center's EMT will administer a health screening to each camper within the first 12 hours of arrival at the Center. He/she will note those requiring special attention or medication.
At day's beginning and throughout the day as necessary, the EMT will contact each participant receiving attention or medication. The medication or attention is to be administered by the EMT who will remain with the camper until the medication is taken. Any camper not taking their medications must have their parents contacted immediately.
The 4-H Center will maintain a treatment log for any action taken or medication administered during the camping week.
At the camp's end, the EMT will give all medications (or empty bottles) back to the Agent to give back to parents. Any discrepancies or deficiencies will be resolved and filed for future reference.
If the camper is transported by private vehicle, the camper's parents/guardian shall be instructed to go to the Drake Health Lodge to check in the camper's medication or special medical needs with the EMT and to check the medicine back out from the EMT at the conclusion of the camp.
All campers who are injured or sick are to be immediately reported to the camp EMT for evaluation and documentation. If the injured or ill camper cannot or should not be moved, the EMT will travel to the camper.
No injured or ill campers may be taken from the 4-H Center by a parent/guardian or emergency services without the authorization of the Program Director, the EMT, and the Extension Agent responsible for the camper.
What is the 4-H camp refund policy?
Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for more information about your unit's 4-H camp refund policy.
For specialty camps hosted by the 4-H Center, there is no refund after one week prior to the event, except in the case of camper sickness or a death in the family.
Can my child bring his/her personal sports equipment, computer, cellular phone, etc to 4-H camp?
Cell phones are strictly prohibited at 4-H camp, as they detract from
the outdoor camping experience and present several liability concerns.
There are several telephones at Airfield should you need to be
contacted or should you need to contact your child in the case of an
emergency.
The 4-H Center is not responsible for lost, misplaced, or stolen items of personal property; therefore, the bringing of expensive personal sports equipment, computers, cameras, or other types of personal property is discouraged.
What are the 4-H camp's "lost and found" procedures?
4-H paid and volunteer staff collect camper's lost and found throughout
the camp week and distribute items at evening meals. At the closing
program on Friday morning, the paid staff will once again show the
camper some of the lost and found items that have been collected and
encourage campers to come forward to collect their property.
At the conclusion of the camp, any uncollected lost and found items is gathered and sent back to the local Extension Office for campers that were transported by bus. If you are a parent trying to collect lost and found for your camper, and he/she was transported to Airfield by a bus, please contact your local Extension Office.
For campers that were transported by private vehicles, the lost and found is gathered and stored at the Airfield 4-H Center until late September. If you are a parent trying to collect lost and found for your camper, and he/she was transported to Airfield by private vehicle, please contact the Airfield 4-H Center.
What are the daytime and nighttime security procedures at 4-H camp?
4-H CENTER SECURITY PLAN
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CAMPERS
ABOVE SUSPICION POLICY
How can I receive references from other parents/guardians who children have attended 4-H camp?
Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for contact information
of other parents who have children who have attended 4-H camp at the
Airfield 4-H Center.
My teen is interested in being a counselor at 4-H camp? What does he/she have to do?
Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for more information about volunteering at 4-H camp.
I would like to be an adult volunteer during the same week that my child will be attending 4-H camp? Who do I contact?
Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for more information about volunteering at 4-H camp.
References
American Camp Association. (1998). Accreditation Standards for Camp Programs and Services.
Martinsville, IN: American Camp Association.
American Camp Association. (2004) Parents Guide to Camps. Retrieved on March 14, 2004 from http://www.acacamps.org/parents/.
Garst, B.A. (2004). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook 2004 (Pilot). Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.
Developed by:
Barry A. Garst, 4-H Extension Specialist
Virginia Cooperative Extension
Andrea Johnson, Program Director
Airfield 4-H Center
April 2004 Return to top
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