4-H Junior Camp

Teen Counselors

Teen Camp Counselors are required to be between the ages of 14-19. They normally should expect to pay half of the cost of the campers to attend camp. Scholarships are available on an as needed basis. A completed scholarship application must be received prior to the defined selection deadline to receive consideration, and will remain confidential. Call the Extension office at 757-564-2170 to request an application.

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

For more information, take a look at our Google site: https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/jcc4hva/4-h-camp-volunteers

Counselor-In-Training (CIT)

CIT positions are open to 13 and 14 year olds. These are youth interested in developing leadership, citizenship, and life skills that will benefit you, and your community, in the future.

What is the CIT program?

The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program is designed to train teens in camp counseling skills. This normally looks like taking a CIT class at camp and minimally assisting in camp. This experience is needed - teens that serve as a CIT before becoming a 4-H Junior Camp Teen Counselor are much more likely to be offered a Teen Counselor position during selection.

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. 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.
6. Serve as a POSITIVE influence and role model to every camper at all times!
7. Promote the Six Pillars of Character…Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

CIT's DO NOT need to fill out any application at this time. Teen Counselors must complete the application found on the Google site AND get the required references. For more information, take a look here: https://sites.google.com/vt.edu/jcc4hva/4-h-camp-volunteers

PLEASE READ THE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Registration for campers will open at 8:30 a.m. on February 14, 2025.  Registration will only be collected through our online form. 

Register Here

Once you have submitted the registration, you will need to review the confirmation message at the end of the form - this will help indicate if you will receive a registration confirmation email or if you are waitlisted. 

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 (757-564-2170) before registration opens.

Once you receive your "Camp Admission" email, you must mail in or drop off at the office a monetary deposit (declared through email) within 10 business days, or your spot in camp will be given to someone on the waitlist. You are not fully registered until we receive your deposit (or the full camp fee of $360 if you choose per camper).  There is a $50 charge on all returned/bounced checks.

Mail payment to:

VCE-James City County

Attention: Junior Camp Registration for __________

PO Box 69

Toano, VA 23168

Or you may bring your deposit into our office at 3127 Forge Road, Toano, VA, 23168.

Once your deposit has been received, a digital receipt via email will be sent to you with additional information and instructions for the remainder balance.

We can accept cash or checks made payable to VCE-James City County.  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 or the full camp fee, if you choose, per camper).  The remaining camp fee balance (if any) will be due one month before camp begins.

Camp spots are first come, first fill. Overflow will be placed on a waitlist and notified. We will contact you by phone 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. If a spot opens for your child, you must respond yes or no within 24 hours, or we will contact the next family.

James City County's spots for 4-H Junior Camp fills very quickly. For questions regarding camp registration, please call our office at 757-564-2170.

Fees & Due Dates

The cost to attend camp will be shared once we have heard back from the 4-H Center.  A deposit is due within 10 days after you receive your “Camp Admission” email.  The remaining camp balance is due one month before camp begins.

Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance 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 deposit.

Submit the Financial Scholarship Application to the Extension Office - VCE James City County, P O Box 69, 3127 Forge Road, Toano, VA  23168 or via email to ikmorton@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. Scholarship funds are limited.          

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

In order to clarify confusion concerning the Virginia 4-H age policy for campers, counselors-in-training, teen counselors, and adult leaders, as well as eligibility for attending 4-H camps at the 4-H educational centers, the 4-H leadership council enacted the following policy in February of 2000:

The 4-H year is October 1 through September 30.

If a child is 13 years of age, but will become 14 years of age during the 4-H year in which a 4-H junior camp is held, they are eligible to attend a 4-H junior camp as a camper. [NOTE: this covers the upper maximum age requirement].

This does not change the age requirements for a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) or a Teen Counselor. In order to be a 4-H Camp Counselor-in-Training, a youth must be at least 13 years old by January 1 of the 4-H year. In order to be eligible to become a 4-H Camp Teen Counselor a teen must be at least 14 years of age or older by January 1 of the 4-H year. However, it is highly recommended that Teen Counselors be at least 15 years of age when assuming supervision roles.

Examples:

a. Age on January 1 of the current year:

i. 13 years of age may attend 4-H camp as a camper (or Counselor-in-Training)

ii. 14 years of age may attend 4-H camp as a Counselor-in- Training or Teen Counselor

b. Age at the birthday on January 2 through to and including on September 30 of the current year:

i. 13 years of age may attend 4-H camp as a camper

ii. 14 years of age may attend 4-H camp as a camper (or Counselor-in-Training)

There are some special circumstances where 15-year-old campers may end up being a counselor-in-training based on their maturity level and the combined decision of the 4-H agents, but this is very rare.

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 full discount on the camp fee for one camper if they have a related 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 trainings

Requirements

Adult Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age by October 1st 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 reach out to the office. 757-564-2179.

1. What are the accommodations like? (e.g., cabins, tents)
   
2. How are meals provided, and are special dietary needs accommodated?
3. What is the camper-to-counselor ratio?
4. Are there any specific behavior requirements or expectations for campers to participate?
5. How are medical emergencies handled, and what medical staff are available onsite?
6. What should campers bring with them to camp?
7. Can campers bring electronic devices?
8. Is transportation provided to and from the camp?
9. Are there any special themes for the camp session?
10. What is the check-in/check-out process for campers?
11. How can parents or guardians stay updated on camp activities and their child's experience?

Until full answers for these questions are developed, please feel free to direct these to the office at 757-564-2179 or email ikmorton@vt.edu.