4-H Summer Camp

Teen Counselors

Teen Camp Counselors are required to be between the ages of 15-18.  Scholarships are available on an as needed basis. A completed scholarship application must be received prior to May 1, 2024 to receive consideration, and will remain confidential.  Call the Extension office at 804-966-9645 to request an application.

Teen Counselor Application

Counselor-In-Training (CIT)

CIT positions are open to 14 year olds. Youth interested in developing leadership, citizenship, and life skills that will benefit you, and your community, in the future. 

So, what is the CIT program?

The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program is designed to train teens in camp counseling skills while training with the hired teen counselors leading up to camp, taking a CIT class at camp, and minimally assisting in camp. This experience is needed and teens should serve as a CIT before becoming a 4-H Junior Camp Teen Counselor.

The philosophy of this program is for teens to develop and improve their skills as well as utilize their abilities to work with others in a camp setting, to learn responsibility and the importance of following through, and to learn camp procedures and program skills. The CIT program is designed to teach new counselors how to work with younger children and to have them return as teen counselors in the coming years. CIT’s will learn the purpose of camping and how it relates to the total or overall 4-H program. The CIT program provides opportunities for teens to grow and develop as well as learn leadership, team building, and life skills.

The objectives of the CIT program include:

• To develop and improve leadership skills
• To enhance by utilizing abilities
• To learn how to make wise decisions
• To improve self-esteem
• To discover and explore positive capabilities and potential talent
• To learn to work positively with younger children, peers, and adults
• To learn counseling techniques and how to be a friend to others
• To assist and lead under the guidance and direction of experienced counselors and staff
• To learn and understand camp objectives
• To become familiar with and enforce camp policies and procedures
• To learn to be a follower as well as a leader

Requirements for CIT’s/Job Description:1. Teens who are 14 years of age beteween October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.

1. Teens who are 14 years of age between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.
2. Serve under the guidance of an experienced 4-H Camp Teen Counselor, Adult, or Camp Staff.
   
3. Have a strong interest/experience in working with children.
4. Assist with meal time activities such as table setting.
5. Potentially serve as an assistant to a Teen Counselor or Adult during group meetings, as well as
   during recreation/leisure activities.
6. CIT's will not be allowed to serve in a supervisory position of campers. They will work as an assistant or apprentice to a teen counselor or adult.
7. Serve as a POSITIVE influence and role model to every camper at all times!
8. Promote the Six Pillars of Character…Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

PLEASE READ THE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Registration for campers will open at 8:00 a.m. on February 1, 2024.  Registration will only be collected through our online form. 

Register Here

Once you have submitted the registration, you will receive a registration confirmation email. 

Registration confirmation does NOT guarantee a spot at camp! Spaces are limited. You will receive a "Camp Admission" email once you have received a slot. 

If you do not have access to a computer or the internet and as a result cannot complete online registration, please contact our office (804-966-9645) before registration opens.

Youth that have already been selected as CITs or Teen Camp Counselors (applications were due in December) do NOT have to register online through this system.

Once you receive your "Camp Admission" email you must mail in or drop off a $80.00 deposit, within 5 business days.  Whole camp fee of $360 due by July 9th, 2024. (You may pay full camp fee at time of deposit if you so choose) Checks made payable to VCE – New Kent.  One payment form (check) can be made for more than one person. 

You may mail payment to:

VCE – New Kent

P.O. Box 205 

New Kent, VA  23141

Or you may bring your deposit into our office at VCE 11809 New Kent Highway, Suite 1 New Kent, VA 23124.

We can accept cash or checks made payable to VCE – New Kent.  Put your camper's name in the memo line of all checks or attach a note with your camper's name to any cash payments. Deposits must be received two weeks after you receive notification or your spot in camp will be given to someone on the waitlist. You are not fully registered until we receive your deposit of $80 (or the full camp fee of $360 if you choose per camper).  The remaining camp fee balance (if any) will be due on July 9th, 2024.

Camp spots are first come, first fill. Overflow will be placed on a waitlist and notified. We will contact you by phone and email if and when a spot opens up. If you are on the waitlist, you do NOT need to mail in a deposit. Your deposit will be due if a camp spot opens up for your child.

Our 4-H Camp spots fill very quickly. Camp registration does not guarantee enrollment. You will receive notification of registration, then receive notification of "Camp Admission" or wait list status. 

For questions regarding camp registration, please all our office at 804-966-9645.

Fees & Due Dates

The cost to attend camp for 2024 is $360.00.  A deposit of $80.00 is due within two weeks of the date you register.  The remaining camp balance is due by July 9th, 2024.

Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance in the amount of a 75%, 50%, or 25% discount on camp fees is available to youth with financial need. Guidelines for financial assistance eligibility are based on the USDA’s eligibility guidelines for free and reduced school lunches; however, we do also consider extenuating circumstances in our financial assistance if necessary.

If you plan to apply for financial assistance, you should still register online like everyone else.  Everyone, regardless of if they receive financial assistance or not, is required to register online and pay the $80.00 deposit.

Submit the Financial Scholarship Application Request (listed below) to the Extension Office – VCE – New Kent, P.O. Box 205, 11809 New Kent Highway, Suite 1 New Kent, VA  23124 or via email to jmason24@vt.edu.

Financial Scholarship Applications OPEN NOW.  Submission of financial scholarship application does not guarantee a space in camp. Apply now to know your cost of camp, prior to registration. ALL applications due by May 1, 2024. Scholarship funds are limited.           

Once your application is received, you will be notified of any financial assistance you will receive. 

• A Camper is any youth that is 9-13 years old

 A child that will turn nine before September 30, 2024 can attend camp as a camper (Thus, some 8-year-old can attend camp, as long a they will turn nine before September 30, 2024)

 Youth that are 13 between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024 must attend camp as a camper.  They cannot serve as a Counselor- in-Training (CIT)

• A Counselor-in-Training (CIT) must be 14 years of age

Teens must turn 14 between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024 can apply to serve as a CIT.

• A Teen Camp Counselor must be 15-18 years of age

 Teens that will be 15 to 18 years of age between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024 can apply to serve as a Teen Camp Counselor.

Any cancellations made prior to July 1st, 2024 will result in a refund of payments made, minus the deposit of $80. (Ex. if $360 paid: 360-80 = $280 refunded).

Any cancellations made after July 1st, 2024, WILL NOT be refunded.

The classes and evening activities offered at camp vary from year to year. An example of classes offered include: swimming, water polo, archery, air rifle, canoeing, kayaking, low ropes course, robotics, videography, art and crafts, outdoor living skills, and marine science.

Youth will select the classes that they are most interested in on the first day of camp. Evening activities may include outdoor games, carnival games, a pool party, and a talent show.

We try to make sure there is something for everyone at camp!

Adult Volunteers help us provide a safe, supportive, and fun environment for our campers. Serving as an Adult Volunteer is an incredibly rewarding and fun experience.  Adult volunteers serve as caring adults for the campers, and have the opportunity to experience many of the camp classes and activities.  During the week, Adult Volunteers assist with classes and activities as needed, but mostly serve as adult chaperones and role models for all youth at camp.

Adult Volunteers camp for free and volunteers that stay all 4 nights of camp receive a discount on the camp fee if they have a youth attending camp.

Adults Interested in voluntering must:

• Complete Adult Volunteer Application
• Submit to and pass a background check
• Attend an in-person interview
• Complete Civil Rights Training
• Attend Teen and Adult pre-camp training

Requirements

Adult Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age by October 1, 2024 and must also complete training prior to camp.  The hours of training can be a combination of online and in-person training.

Volunteer positions are filled on first-come-first serve basis.  Volunteers will be selected based on application, reference checks, an approved background check, and the interview.

To inquire about serving as an Adult Volunteer for 4-H Junior Summer Camp please call our office at 804-966-9645 or email marci4@vt.edu

4-H Junior Camp Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I register for 4-H Camp?

Registration for 4-H Camp will only be collected through our online format. Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. on February 1, 2024.  

• I do not have access to a computer and/or the internet. How can I register for camp?

If you do not have access to a computer and/or the internet and as a result cannot complete online registration, please call our office at 804-966-9645. We will collect your camper’s information and we will attempt to complete the registration process for you. We will try to register your child online on February 1st at 8:00 a.m. the exact same way everyone else is attempting to register. Having our office register your child because you do not have access to a computer/internet does not give you an advantage over others registering themselves. We cannot guarantee that your child will be registered in camp. We take requests to complete the registration process for you on a first-come-first-served basis. Thus, we will attempt to register the first person that contacted us first then register every other person in the order in which they contacted us.

• How will I register once it turns 8:00 a.m. on February 1? What information will I need to have ready to register? 
 
At 8:00 a.m. on February 1, you should click on the links on our website or Facebook page to take you to the registration page for either a MALE or FEMALE camper (You must register male and female campers separately via two separate links). 
  
 
In order to complete the registration, you will need the following information for each camper:

       Parent/Guardian First and Last Name
       Parent/Guardian Home Phone Number 
       Parent/Guardian Email Address
       Parent/Guardian Mailing Address
       Camper First and Last Name
       Camper Birthdate
       Camper Gender
       Camper T-shirt Size (Youth S, M, L, or Adult S, M, L, XL)

• Are my spots in camp “confirmed” when I hit the “submit” button of when I submit the registration information?

Once you submit registration, you will be placed on a time-stamped registration list. You will receive a registration confirmation, letting you know you we have received your registration. 

You will later receive confirmation of either a "Camp Admission" or wait-list status. 

• How many campers can I register at one time?

You can register as many campers as you like. However, you MUST fill out a SEPARATE form for each camper. 

• How will I know my registration is complete/confirmed?

You will also receive an email with your registration confirmation. This email may take several minutes to appear in your inbox.  If it doesn't appear in your inbox, please check your spam folder.

PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER: Registration is not "Camp Admission", please do not submit a deposit until have received a camp admission confirmation. 

• How do I pay for camp?

We cannot accept online/credit card payment for 4-H camp. Once you have received "Camp Admission", you will need to mail a deposit of $80.00 per camper (or the whole camp fee of $360.00 per camper, if you choose) to our office at:

VCE – New Kent
PO Box 205
New Kent, VA  23124

You can also bring the deposit into our office at: 

11809 New Kent Highway, Suite 1
New Kent, VA  23124

 
We can accept cash or checks made out to "VCE – New Kent". Please put your camper's name in the memo line of all checks or attach a note with your camper's name to any cash payments. 

• I would like to apply for financial assistance for my child to attend camp. How do I do that/Do I register online like everyone else?

Financial Assistance in the amount of a 75%, 50%, or 25% discount on camp fees is available to youth with financial need. Guidelines for financial assistance eligibility are based on the USDA’s eligibility guidelines for free and reduced school lunches; however, we do also consider extenuating circumstances in our financial assistance if necessary.

To request a Financial assistance application, call the Extension office at 804-966-9645. If you plan to apply for financial assistance, you should still register online like everyone else. Everyone, regardless of if they receive financial assistance or not, is required to register online and pay the deposit of $80.00.

• How do I know what number my child is on the waitlist? What happens when my child gets put on the waitlist?

You will be notified by email if your child is on the waitlist. If a spot opens for your child, you will be given 48hrs to confirm that spot. If the deposit is not paid within 5 business days of spot confirmation, it will be revoked. 

• Our 4-H Junior Camp is very popular and registration fills so quickly, why don’t you offer another week of the camp?  

Unfortunately, that is not an option. There are six 4-H camping centers throughout the state, and every county/city in the state is assigned one week of camp at one of the centers. The Jamestown 4-H Center serves 23 different counties and cities by providing one week of summer camp to each location. There are really only about nine full weeks that can support camps in the summer, so those 23 localities partner up and each “cluster” of localities takes a week. There is not a 4-H camping facility available to host another week of camp for New Kent/Charles City County. 

• If my child does not get into the New Kent/Charles City County week of 4-H Camp, can they attend another week of 4-H Junior Camp with another locality?  

All of the camp “clusters” work together, and we share our waitlists with each other. Thus, if another week of camp has open spots, they let the 4-H programs in the other localities know and we send them our waitlists if we have them. It is our goal to fill every single spot in every single week of camp if possible. However, most localities try to fill their week of camp with residents from their own county/city first. After a certain time, if they haven’t filled with their own residents, they will open it up to residents from other counties/cities. You would have to contact each locality and ask them how they handle registration for non-residents. You can find the camp schedule and contact information for each week on the Jamestown 4-H Center website