For many, 4-H camp is the springboard of an entire 4-H career. From crafts and camp songs to campfires and lifelong friendships, Tennessee 4-H camps are full of fun and education for 4-H’ers of all ages.
“I had the best time ever! Y’all are so nice and kind, and I hope to come back next summer,” wrote one camper in a thank-you note after camp.
Tennessee 4-H’ers attend camp at one of the four centers throughout the state, depending on geography and specific camp programs.
All four centers encompass an extensive summer camping program for young people in fourth through 12th grades and offer STEM programs during the school year to welcome school groups to the grounds.
Activities range from water sports to archery, wildlife exploration, fishing, leadership building and so much more. Most importantly, each 4-H center helps shape young people to make the best better.
Tennessee 4-H Camps Make Lifelong Memories
Terri Quillin, the 4-H center director at the W.P. Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia, says when you talk to past and present 4-H members, the first thing they mention is camp, regardless of what part of the state they grew up in.
“Many say that is the one thing they remember most about 4-H – going to 4-H camp,” Quillin says. “They talk about all the friends they made during their week at camp, and many keep in touch. Several of our Tennessee leaders participated in 4-H camp and have referenced the leadership skills gained and how it helped them in their careers.”
After working at the camp for almost three decades, Quillin has even seen former campers send their children to camp. However, even after all these years, each week brings fresh faces and new experiences.
“Every week offers great memories with all people involved,” Quillin says.
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One standout memory for Quillin was with a young lady in a wheelchair who attended summer camp for the first time. Quillin explained how she had the best spirit and participated in many activities, including the zipline. After helping her into the harness and running beside her to help catch and unhook her, Quillin says the smile on the camper’s face said it all.
A favorite camp memory for many 4-H’ers is the time spent around the campfire, singing songs and laughing under the star-filled sky.
“The moment always feels timeless,” says Lacy Harnage, the 4-H center director for the Clyde M. York 4-H Center in Crossville. “Campfire nights always remind me why camp is so special. It creates a space where everyone feels they belong.”
A Place to Belong
Penny Russell, 4-H and youth development center director at Lone Oaks Farm in Middleton, also emphasizes the transformative power of camp in uniting young people from all walks of life.
“We have the privilege of serving thousands of youth from a variety of counties,” Russell says. “At Lone Oaks, we bring them together to create opportunities for personal growth, foster connections, and bridge both geographical and socioeconomic divides. Our goal is to ensure every camper, regardless of their background, has access to meaningful and enriching experiences while visiting our camp.”
As Lone Oaks Farm embarks on its third year of summer camping under Russell’s leadership, countless memories are already being created for her and the staff.
One moment from this past summer, during the Fourth of July camp week, stands out as particularly special. Local agents partnered with the community to donate fireworks, turning the evening into a dazzling celebration for the campers.
See more: Lone Oaks Farms Officially Opened for Camp
The campers gathered arm in arm, their faces lit by the vibrant fireworks overhead with patriotic tunes filling the air. It was a moment of unity and joy, where differences melted away, and the simple act of being together took center stage.
“In that moment, it didn’t matter what school they came from or what they liked or didn’t like,” Russell says. “It was the perfect picture of why we do what we do – creating opportunities for connection, belonging and experiences that stay with these kids for a lifetime.”
Influencing Futures
The spark of a 4-H camp experience leads many campers back to their home counties to dive deeper into the organization, ultimately leading to an exciting future.
“4-H camps not only offer life-changing experiences for youth but also create pathways for lifelong learning and leadership that benefit communities throughout Tennessee,” Harnage says, adding that camp instills core values, including responsibility, respect and resilience. “These values learned extend far beyond camp and into future academic, professional and personal pursuits. In many ways, 4-H camp is more than just a fun getaway. It’s a foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.”
Scottie Fillers, 4-H center director at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville, agrees, adding that “camp activities help them grow confidence, independence, resilience and compassion.”
See more: This Summer’s O.W.L.S. Camp Keeps Kids Active in the Outdoors
Fillers finds that campers build other life skills by leading hands-on projects in areas like science, health, agriculture, technology and civic engagement. He says this type of learning is unlike any other.
“Through the years, I have been blessed to witness countless youth make new friends, try new things and experience a world they couldn’t imagine before,” Fillers says. “It’s a privilege that never gets old. Watching the light come on for campers, knowing that from that time on, those 4-H members can see new paths and new dreams they know they can be a part of – no matter their economic or social situation.”
