4-H Junior Camp 🏕️
Charles City County, James City County, New Kent County 4-H Camp
"If lost, return to Jamestown!"
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Junior Camp at Jamestown 4-H Educational Center
Junior Camp at Jamestown 4-H Educational Center
Charles City, James City, and New Kent 4-H Junior Camp is a week-long, residential summer camp program available primarily to residents of James City County and City of Williamsburg ages 9-13. Camp is held every year at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center in Williamsburg, VA. 4-H camp provides youth countless opportunities to develop responsibility, independence, and life skills in a camp setting while interacting with the natural world around them. Days are filled with camp classes, unstructured recreation and swim time, flag ceremonies, evening programs, and campfires!
At age 14, campers will automatically serve as Counselors-in-Training (CIT) during camp. Youth that are ages 15-18 can apply to serve as 4-H Camp Teen Counselors. To learn more, go to our Counselor & CIT Training Site listed below.
Please note that the James City County Virginia Cooperative Extension office is in charge of the planning for and processing registration of our week of 4-H Junior Camp for James City/Williamsburg residents. Jamestown 4-H Educational Center is the facility we use during the week for camp programming. Therefore, Registration and/or questions regarding James City County’s 4-H Junior Camp should be directed to the James City County Extension office at 757-564-2170, NOT the 4-H Center.
Who can attend?
Who can attend?
4-H Junior Camp is co-ed and all campers must be between the age of 9-13 as of 09/30/2026* in order to be welcome to join us!
WJCC (Williamsburg & James City County) residents have first priority.
Camper Registration will open to the general public on the Friday nearest Valentine's Day at 8:30 AM.
*The best way to determine age eligibility is to ask, "How old will my child be on September 30th of the year they'd be going to camp?"
If the answer is 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, then they are age eligible for camp.
If the answer is 8 or under or 19 or over, contact the 4-H agent for other local opportunities like Cloverbud camping or adult volunteering.
How much does 4-H Camp cost?
How much does 4-H Camp cost?
Each year, the camp cost increases slightly. Our total camp fee is 2024 was $360, and it was $380 in 2025, and we expect the cost to rise in order to provide the best experience for our campers.
The cost of camp includes meals and lodging for five days and four nights, a camp t-shirt, class supplies, and all activities.
A deposit of $100 is due once you have received a pre-registration acceptance email from your local Extension office. The remainder of the camp fee must be paid by a later specified date in the email.
The camp fee can be paid by cash, check, or money order and more information about those options can be found on the Payment Page. We also offer scholarships for those with a financial need. Scholarship applications are due May 1. Payments are nonrefundable after June 1.
What do campers do at 4-H Camp?
What do campers do at 4-H Camp?
Campers get to select 4 classes on the first day of camp that they participate in Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Classes focus on hands-on, experiential learning that build life skills.
There is free swim and/or recreation time each day, as well as evening programs and campfire. Evening programs include a talent show, carnival, dance, ice cream social, and more!
Campers compete during the week on teams (otherwise known as Packs) for the Spirit Stick. Spirit Awards are given at the end of the week for enthusiasm, participation, and demonstrations of good character!
No electronics are allowed at camp including phones! This is a great way for youth to disconnect from social media and electronic games to practice social skills, explore the outdoors, and learn important life skills.
Who supervises 4-H campers?
Who supervises 4-H campers?
Each year we recruit teen volunteers that are age 14 and up to serve as counselors for our camp. These teens, as well as our adult volunteers, 4-H Extension Staff, and 4-H Center Staff, complete a training series and are tested on core concepts before attending camp. Our staff is trained according to the American Camp Association requirements, so you can rest assured that your child will have a safe and enjoyable experience at 4-H Camp!
The 3 Easy Steps to Sign a Camper up for 4-H Camp!
The 3 Easy Steps to Sign a Camper up for 4-H Camp!
(TO BE COMPLETED IN THIS ORDER!)
(TO BE COMPLETED IN THIS ORDER!)
If you'd love for your camper to join us this summer, fill out the 4-H Camp Registration on the Registration and Enrollment page. That's all! Wait for a confirmation email that confirms you have a spot and you aren't on the waitlist.
DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE 1ST STEP. Enroll your child in 4-H Online. This enrollment ensures that we have your child's health history information and can be protected through our camp insurance policy. The name of the 4-H Club is 4-H Junior Summer Camp. The project is Personal Development. If you have any issues with enrolling, contact the James City 4-H agent.
Pay for camp. A deposit of $100 is due with your registration and the remainder of the camp fee must be paid by June 1st. You are also welcome to pay the full amount after registering for camp. The camp fee can be paid by cash, check, or money order to JCC VCE at our 3127 Forge Road location.
National Accreditation
National Accreditation
Virginia’s 4-H camping program is recognized throughout the nation as a leader in 4-H camping programs. Each of the six Virginia 4-H Educational Centers has achieved and maintains American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation.
Parents and guardians should always look for the ACA seal when selecting a camp for their child to attend. Only about 25 percent of all camps in the nation are accredited by the ACA, the recognized camp accreditation organization in the United States. Having ACA accreditation means that the camp meets the highest standards for safety, food service and staffing, health care, and program quality.
Each 4-H Educational Center maintains these standards annually. Additionally, all standards are reviewed every three years for reaccreditation. Each 4-H center program staff, as well as the adult and teen 4-H volunteers who participate in camp, are carefully selected and trained prior to the camping event.
The James City County 4-H program is housed inside of our Virginia Cooperative Extension office at 3127 Forge Road, Toano, VA, 23168. We share the EOC building with the DMV and County Satellite Services. It is right beside the James City County & Bruton Volunteer Fire Department off of Route 60. The office is open from 8am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Subject to county closures, holidays, and building hours. Contact 757-564-2170 for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if camp is full when I register?
What do I do if camp is full when I register?
There are only so many beds at our Jamestown 4-H Center facility. For the safety and best supervision of all campers, we have to limit how many campers we can have for our camp week. Registration for 2024 4-H Junior Camp was full in a matter of hours for James City County residents, so please plan accordingly for 2025. If registration is full, we will notify all families via Facebook and email, but would highly encourage all families to continue registering to be added to our waitlist.
If a camp vacancy is established, the Extension office will follow the waitlist registration by submission order. Families have 24 hours to respond to contact from the 4-H agent to either accept or decline the offer to fill the vacancy and will have an established amount of time to submit their deposit.
Additionally, other 4-H agents also offer 4-H Junior Camp opportunities for youth and will open their registration to campers outside of their localities upon their set deadlines. It would be advantageous for you to contact those 4-H agents to see what openings they have for youth.
You can find your local Extension Office contacts here: https://ext.vt.edu/offices.html
What if I live in another locality and not James City County or Williamsburg?
What if I live in another locality and not James City County or Williamsburg?
Nearly every county and city in Virginia has a 4-H program, and we recommend registering for the locality that you live in.
You can find your local Extension Office contacts here: https://ext.vt.edu/offices.html
Can I request a roommate for my camper?
Can I request a roommate for my camper?
We will do our best to accommodate lodging requests, but there is no guarantee. We spend hours separating campers out and dividing them into packs and cabins and classes based on requests, age, gender, and behavior expectations in some cases.
For lodging, the reality is that campers really do not spend much time in their cabins and lodges - and when they do, it is to change clothes, shower, or rest! We understand that a camper may be nervous and feel more comfortable knowing someone in their room, however, one of our camping goals is to help them create new connections with youth they may not otherwise spend time with. For more information, contact your 4-H agent.
Can I call to speak to my camper each day?
Can I call to speak to my camper each day?
The easy answer? No. If you have an emergency at home, we will certainly get you in touch; however, there is not enough time in the day to accommodate specific phone calls for people. Additionally, our goal is youth development and part of our objective is to teach independent living skills and connect youth with other caring adults outside of their families. It is also a distraction and takes away from their experience. A child is actually MORE likely to experience homesickness when connecting with a parent/guardian during the week. If your child is seriously injured or in need of something, we will get in touch!
Is there transportation to camp?
Is there transportation to camp?
No. We do not have the ability to provide transportation at this time. Since Jamestown 4-H Center is "local" to many of our families, consider carpooling! Please make sure all involved adults are listed on the Authorized Pick-up & Drop-Off information.
Are phones allowed?
Are phones allowed?
No. No electronics of any kind are allowed. Phones are a major distraction and can pose a serious safety risk. This is not only our rule, it is a statewide 4-H camping policy. Sending your child to camp with a "secret phone" will only put them in a position of facing future consequences!
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