About Jamestown

History of Jamestown 4-H Education Center
Jamestown 4-H Educational Center was founded in 1928 on Jamestown Island in the James River. The first six-acre camping site with its rustic wooden structures was deeded to the 4-H organization by the C&O Railroad for the benefit of 4-H clubs and kindred organizations of the counties of the commonwealth teaching better farming methods and domestic science. Summer camp was conducted on this site through 1946 except for the World War II years of 1943 and '44.

The original Jamestown 4-H camp property was acquired by the National Park Service for its National Monumental Highway that runs between Jamestown and Yorktown. In 1942, the Jamestown 4-H Camp organization purchased a 16-acre parcel of land 1/2 mile up-river from the original site. 4-H camping has been conducted on this site since the late 1940s. Early buildings on the site were wood frame structures and concrete block buildings constructed between 1948 and 1950.

In 1976, Jamestown 4-H Camp incorporated as Jamestown 4-H Educational Center with a governing body called the Corporate Membership. In 1982, the Corporate Membership made the decision to renovate and expand the existing facility.

The improvements and expansions of the 1980s gave us extensive recreational, meeting, and lodging facilities on our scenic site. An exciting future is to come. Thanks to extensive renovations approved by our board of directors in 2001, we are now able to support year-round enjoyment and educational opportunities for users of the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center.

Mission
Jamestown 4-H Educational Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of youth and adult volunteers through innovative 4-H camping, environmental education, and leadership training.

Purpose
Jamestown 4-H Educational Center is organized exclusively for nonprofit, charitable, benevolent, scientific, and educational purposes as follows:
  1. To foster and encourage youth development by providing 4-H educational, cultural, and recreational programs and services and facilities for interested groups, businesses, agencies, and individuals on an equal and non-discriminatory basis.
  2. To cooperate with programs and activities provided or operated by Virginia Cooperative Extension; to acquire, improve, and operate a camp or camps for 4-H activities that are open to all youth.
  3. To provide facilities and programming for all interested groups for camping, environmental education, and leadership training of youth and adult volunteers.

The center's Corporate Membership is made up of one extension staff member and one adult volunteer, 4-H leader, or other leader from each of the 22 units served by Jamestown 4-H Educational Center. Twelve of the Corporate Membership delegates are elected to serve on the Board of Directors along with up to five additional At-Large members selected from business, government, and civic groups. The Board of Directors elects its own officers every year. The center has six departments: Administration, Programs, Maintenance, Development, Conferencing, and Food Service.

The Jamestown 4-H Educational Center is a 501 (c) (3) organization. All donations to the center are tax deductible.

Get Involved!

Our donors are the lifeline of our organization. As a 501 (c) (3) organization, all donations to Jamestown 4-H Educational Center are tax deductible. Individual and corporate donors have generously provided the resources to improve our camp with new construction, the expansion of existing facilities, and the purchase of new equipment. All of these improvements allow Jamestown 4-H Educational Center staff to offer new programming. Our goal is to provide programs, services, and activities that are valuable and provide our youth and adults with the best opportunities for future success and our donors make it possible.

Jamestown 4-H Educational Center relies on the generous assistance offered by our volunteers. Our many volunteer opportunities include educational instruction, special events, facility improvements, and financial support. By volunteering, you will touch the lives of our youth and add to our community. You can make a difference!

We thank every past and future donor and volunteer for your support and invite you to become more actively involved in the 4-H Center - together we will continue "to make the best better."

Contact the Center at (757) 253-4931 for more information on how to get involved!