Junior Summer Camp

Classes Offered

The classes and evening activities offered at camp vary from year to year as well. Example classes include:

• Air rifle
• Archery
• Art and crafts
• Basket Weaving
• Camp nutrition
• Canoeing
• Fishing
• Guitar
• Happy Feet
• Kayaking
• Low ropes course
• Maker
• Marine science
• Outdoor living skills
• Swimming
• Videography
• Water polo

Activities Offered

Youth will select the classes that they are most interested in on the first day of camp. Evening activities may include:

• Carnival games
• Outdoor games
• Pool party
• Talent show
• Campfires

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

Fees & Due Dates

The cost to attend camp for 2023 is $360.00.  A deposit of $100.00 is due within 2 weeks of the date you register. The remaining camp balance is due by June 2, 2023.

Financial Assistance

A limited number of Financial assistance scholarships will be available to youth with financial need. 

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. Once you complete the online registration process, you should call the Extension office at 757-890-4940 to request a Financial Assistance Application.

Once your Financial Assistance Application is received and reviewed, you will be notified of any financial assistance you will awarded. At that time, you can choose to accept the financial assistance and keep your child enrolled in camp (any remaining balances will be due by the regular camp fee due date) or cancel your child’s enrollment and receive a full refund of your deposit.

Age Policy

• A camper is any youth that is 9 to 13 years old.
  • A child that will turn nine before September 30, 2023 can attend camp as a camper (Thus, some 8 year olds can attend camp, as long as they will turn nine before September 30, 2023)
  • Youth that are 13 between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023 must attend camp as a camper. They cannot serve as a Counselor-in-Training (CIT).
  • Youth that are 14 between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 can attend camp as a camper or apply to serve as a CIT.
• A Counselor-in-Training (CIT) must be 14 years of age.
  • Teens that are 14 between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023 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, 2022 and September 30, 2023 can apply to serve as a Teen Camp Counselor. 

Cancellations & Refunds

Any cancellations made prior to June 2, 2023 will result in a refund of payments made minus a processing fee of 5% of the deposit. ($100.00 deposit minus 5% fee ($5.00) = $95.00 Refunded)

Any cancellations made after June 2, 2023 and before July 3, 2023 will result in a refund of all but the deposit and a processing fee of 5% of the full cost of camp.  ($360.00 -$100.00 - $18.00 = $242.00 Refunded)

Any cancellations made after July 3, 2023, WILL NOT be refunded unless accompanied by a letter from a physician, or a documented family emergency.  In the case of a documented reason, all but the deposit and a processing fee of 5% of the full cost of camp will be refunded.  ($360.00 -$100.00 - $18.00 = $242.00 Refunded)

Teen Counselors for 2023 Junior 4-H Summer Camp

Apply now to serve as a 2023 4-H Junior Summer Camp Teen Counselor!  Visit www.york.ext.vt.edu for an application.

Teen Camp Counselors are required to be between the ages of 15-18.  Teens that will be 15 years of age between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023 can apply. Scholarships are available on an as needed basis. A completed scholarship application must be received prior to December 16, 2022 to receive consideration, and will remain confidential.  Call the Extension office at 757-890-4940 to request an application.

For those candidates selected as Teen Counselors, we will begin training TBD.  All teen counselors are required to attend all trainings. This will allow us to complete the mandatory hours of training to meet compliance with American Camping Association policy.

2023 Counselor-In-Training (CIT)

Apply now to serve as a Counselor-in-Training.  Applications can be found by visiting www.york.ext.vt.edu.

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. Serve under the guidance of an experienced 4-H Camp Teen Counselor, Adult, or Camp Staff.

2. Have a strong interest/experience in working with children.

3. Assist with meal time activities such as table setting.

4. Potentially serve as an assistant to a Teen Counselor or Adult during group meetings, as well as during
     recreation/leisure activities.

5. May assist Teen Counselors, Adults, and Center Staff with preparations for evening programs and other 
     activities.

6. Counselors-In-Training 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.  

Who:

All Teens who are 14 years old between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023.

Where:

Jamestown 4-H Educational Center

When:

July 31-August 4, 2023

Cost: 

Cost to attend camp as a CIT is $360.00. Financial Assistance Scholarships are available on an as needed basis. A completed financial assistance application must be received prior to December 16, 2022 to receive consideration, and will remain confidential. Call the Extension office at 757-890-4940 to request an application.

What:

A CIT is a 14 year old teen who desires to become a teen counselor the following year. CIT's go to camp as a camper, but take a CIT class during two sessions instead of a regular camp class. Selected CIT's will train with the teen counselors once per month, and will be assigned a mentor teen who will assist and guide them on their journey to become a future Teen Counselor.

Adult Volunteers Role

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 for their camper if they have a youth attending camp.
 
 Become a Volunteer
 Adults interested in volunteering 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 19 years of age by October 1, 2022 and must complete training prior to camp.  The hours of training can be a combination of online and in-person training.

Volunteer positions are filled on a 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 757-890-4940.

4-H Junior Camp Registration 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 9:00 am on Saturday, April 15, 2023.  (A Link to register a FEMALE and MALE camper will be posted on the main page)

 
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 757-890-4940. 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 April 15th at 9:00 am 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 9:00 am on April 15th? What information will I need to have ready to register? 
At 9:00 am on April 15th, you should click on the links on our website 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 the top box on that registration page, labeled “Registration Information”, you will see a drop down box on the far right under “Quantity”. You will select the quantity of campers you wish to register (you are allowed to register 1-2 campers of the same gender at one time) and then click on the large, green “Register” button.
   
Once you click “Register” you will be taken to the registration page. At this point you have secured your registration spots. (Registration spots are “secured/held” once you click register.) Those spots will be held for 8 minutes while you complete the registration information. If you do not submit the registration information within 8 minutes, your registration spots will be released and will become available to others trying to register.
 
 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 “Register” button of when I submit the registration information?

 Once you click the “Register” button on the registration home page your spots will be held for 8 minutes while you complete the registration information. At this point you have secured your registration spots. (Registration spots are “secured/held” once you click register.) Those spots will be held for 8 minutes while you complete the registration information. If you do not submit the registration information within 8 minutes, your registration spots will be released and will become available to others trying to register.

 
How many campers can I register at one time?
You can register up to 2 campers of the same gender at one time. You must register male and female campers separately via two different web-links.

How will I know my registration is complete/confirmed? 
As soon as you submit your registration, a webpage will pop up with order information. 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: There are two steps to the registration process. Step 1 is registering online. Step 2 is submitting your deposit/per camper. Registration is NOT complete until we receive the deposit of $100.00 per camper (or the whole camp fee of $360.00 per camper). Deposits must be received by April 28, 2023 or your spot in camp will be given to someone on the waitlist.

How do I pay for camp? 
We cannot accept online/credit card payment for 4-H camp. Once you complete the online registration process, you will need to mail a deposit of $100.00 per camper (or the whole camp fee of $360.00 per camper if you choose) to our office at:

VCE-York/Poquoson
Attention: Camp Registration
PO Box 532
Yorktown, VA 23690

 You can also bring the deposit into our office at: 

5338-I George Washington Mem. Hwy.
Yorktown, VA 23692

We are located in the Washington Square Shopping Center next to Subway and York County Parks & Rec.
 
We can accept Cash or Checks (No Credit/Debit Card payments) made out to "VCE: York". 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. Deposits must be received within 2 weeks of your registration date or your spot in camp will be given to someone on the waitlist. The remaining camp fee balance will be due on June 2, 2023. 

 
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 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 757-890-4940. 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 $100.00. Once you complete the online registration process, you should mail your financial assistance application in with your deposit. Once your application is received and reviewed, you will be notified of any financial assistance you will be awarded. At that time, you can choose to accept the financial assistance and keep your child enrolled in camp (any remaining balances (if any) will be due by the regular camp fee due date) or cancel your child’s enrollment and receive a full refund of your deposit.

When I try to register all I see is an “add to waitlist” option.
If the only option you see when you try to register is to “add to waitlist” that means the camp is full and we are putting people on the waitlist. If you see this option, please click on the “add to waitlist” option. You will be asked to provide the name of your camper as well as an email address and phone number you can be reached at when/if a spot opens in the camp. Registration for 4-H Junior Camp in York/Poquoson fills very quickly. It is likely that you may only be able to “add to waitlist” within the first few minutes after registration opens. Unfortunately, you can only add one person to the waitlist at a time. If you are trying to register more than one child of the same gender, you will have to add one child to the waitlist, then go back and add the other child/children to the waitlist one at a time.

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

Unfortunately, the system does not tell you your position on the waitlist immediately. Registration for 4-H Junior Camp in York/Poquoson fills very quickly. It is likely that you may only be able to “add to waitlist” within the first few minutes after registration opens. We will send an email to everyone on the waitlist 3 business days after registration opens letting you know your position on the waitlist. The reason for the delay is to give us time to ensure the waitlist is accurate – i.e. some people add their children multiple times. We like to be able to remove duplicates if necessary so that we can give you an accurate position on the waitlist.  When/if a spot in the camp opens up for your child, you will be contacted by phone and email. You will be given 2 business days from the time we contact you to claim the spot. If we do not hear from you within 2 business days, we will offer the spot to the next person on the waitlist.  Once you have claimed a spot in camp, the camp deposit will be due within 2 weeks. 

 
The York/Poquoson 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 eight 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 York/Poquoson. 

If my child does not get into the York/Poquoson 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: