Nearly 10,000 youth attend NYS 4-H camps annually. 

The first 4-H Camp opened in New York State in the 1920’s.  The nine 4-H Camps throughout the state differ in history, size, facilities and natural surroundings, but they each continue to meet the needs of today’s youth and fulfill the mission of Cooperative Extension.

Residential camps not only serve as an outdoor setting for delivering many 4-H projects and programs, but 4-H camps contribute to positive youth development in distinctive ways.

The New York State Health Department inspects and certifies all residential 4-H camps annually. In addition, four of the nine camps voluntarily submit to a rigorous certification process and peer review through the American Camp Association (ACA).

What to expect .  All NYS 4-H camps offer one-week (six-day) sessions.  Many camps offer special-interest sessions that focus on a theme or project.  Some offer day camping options, shorter sessions just for younger or first-time campers, and family camping.  Youth do not have to be 4-H members to attend 4-H camps, although many of the 4-H camps offer tuition discounts and other benefits to 4-H Club members.

Resources of the 4-H youth development program form the foundation of the residential camping program.  Traditional 4-H projects such as woodworking, sewing, animal science, model rocketry, expressive arts and cooking are adapted for an outdoor setting.  In addition, many 4-H camps offer programs ideally suited to a natural environment such as shooting sports, horsemanship, canoeing, bicycling, trip camping and ropes courses.

Campers follow a daily schedule of educational and recreational activities either individually or as a group with other campers the same age or who share their interests.  Educational programs are designed so campers acquire knowledge and practice skills

4-H Camps help shape the character of young people by providing experiences to grow their sense of:

• Independence.  4-H Camps support the development of independence in young people through the healthy separation from parent(s), positive risk-taking, self-directed decision-making, personal accountability and leadership training.
• Belonging.  4-H Camps strive to establish and maintain a community of caring where young people can experience acceptance, respect and connectedness to others, the community and the natural world. 
• Generosity.  4-H Camps help young people find meaning and purpose in service to others, their communities and their world. Environmental stewardship is one of the foundational values of 4-H outdoor education programs.
• Mastery.  4-H Camps support campers’ intellectual development, skill acquisition and self-confidence through experiential learning activities, a variety of developmentally appropriate program choices and opportunities to demonstrate leadership.