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Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Response to Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the 4-H Camping Program

Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development educational programs are headquartered at Iowa State University campus in Ames and available through ISU Extension and Outreach offices in all Iowa counties.

Will there be 4-H camping at the Iowa 4-H Center in summer 2013?

Yes. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is committed to maintaining a sustainable 4-H youth development program that provides quality educational programs for Iowa youth — including camping experiences. However, there will be some changes in the camping experiences that the Iowa 4-H Program will offer at the Iowa 4-H Center this summer.

Why will the 4-H camping program change at the Iowa 4-H Center?

ISU Extension and Outreach originally planned to offer a full camp schedule for summer 2013 at the Iowa 4-H Center near Madrid. However, we must limit the scope of programming we will offer at the center, because of staff changes and budget realities.

The 4-H camp program specialist resigned to take another position. Program staff members are being hired to facilitate camp programs including archery, aquatics, climbing wall, creek walks, and science.

Over the past five years, federal and state funds allocated to ISU Extension and Outreach have decreased while costs to conduct quality, educational camping programs have increased.

What will be different at the Iowa 4-H Center this summer?

Traditional residential and day camps offered to the general public will not be available at the Iowa 4-H Center. All existing rental commitments at the Iowa 4-H Center are being honored, butno additional non-4-H rentals will be secured by the Iowa 4-H Program.

What 4-H camping programs will be offered at the Iowa 4-H Center this summer?

Some of the 4-H camps that have been confirmed at the center from June through early August include Southwest Iowa Camp, North Central Region 6 Camp, ISU Extension Region 15 Camp, Photography Camp, Design Condensed Camp, Pocahontas County Day Camp and Tri-County (Story, Boone, Marshall) Junior Camp.

The Immersion in Wellness camp also will continue.

ISU Extension and Outreach hopes to add other 4-H camping experiences.

Does ISU Extension and Outreach offer 4-H camping at any other locations?

Multiple day camps and local camps will continue throughout the state at other locations tied to ISU Extension and Outreach county or regional 4-H programs.

What is the future outlook for 4-H camping in Iowa?

ISU Extension and Outreach is exploring other ways to provide camping opportunities to young Iowans in support of our priority to encourage healthy living. The 4-H Management Team is consulting with camping experts from across the national 4-H system to determine potential solutions to enhance and sustain Iowa 4-H camping opportunities. Our educational mission remains our highest priority.

Who owns the Iowa 4-H Center?

The Iowa 4-H Center, near Madrid, is owned by the Iowa 4-H Foundation.The property consists of more than 1,100 acres of woodlands, meadows, wetlands and fields in the Des Moines River Valley. The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a charitable 501 (c) 3 organization with a volunteer governing board of 26 trustees.

What is 4-H?

4-H is the youth program of America’s Cooperative Extension Service. It is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving more than 6 million young people across the United States with programs in leadership, citizenship, communication and life skills. Find out more.

How many youth participate in Iowa 4-H programs?

One in five Iowa school-age youth participates in Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development programs, headquartered at the Iowa State University campus in Ames and available through ISU Extension and Outreach offices in all Iowa counties.

Iowa 4-H Foundation

Response to Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Fundraising and the Iowa 4-H Center

The mission of the Iowa 4-H Foundation is to provide financial resources to Iowa youth by raising funds for 4-H programs as needs are defined by ISU Extension and Outreach. The Iowa 4-H Foundation owns the Iowa 4-H Center.  

For more information regarding the Iowa 4-H Foundation contact:
Kris Fish Kuhlmann, Executive Director, (515) 294-1552  fund4h@iastate.edu

Where is the money going that was raised for camper scholarships?

Funds raised and designated for camper scholarships have been used for that purpose.  At this point, it is unclear how any unused funds will be expended.  The Iowa 4-H Foundation will be working with ISU Extension and Outreach to identify overall needs for the 4-H camping program and put together a coordinated strategy.  It is the desire of the Foundation to utilize funds as they were originally intended by donors.  As such, it would be the Foundation’s mission to utilize funds for camps that will be delivered this year.  If this is not the case, the Iowa 4-H Foundation will then be able to provide information to donors so they can determine how they want to manage their contribution.

Where did the funds go that were raised for the Adventure Race?

The proceeds from the Adventure race first paid for expenses.  The remaining funds were placed in the 4-H summer camp scholarship fund.  Final determination of the funds’ use will be evaluated as the Iowa 4-H Foundation discusses the future of 4-H camping at the Iowa 4-H Center with ISU Extension and Outreach, with the intended fundraising purpose foremost in mind.

What happens to the money raised for the safe rooms at the Iowa 4-H Center?

Money raised for the safe rooms was designated specifically for that project.  The Iowa 4-H Foundation is in the process of contacting these donors to determine how they want to manage their contributions.

Will there be any opportunity to raise funds to support the camp?

The Iowa 4-H Foundation has a meeting planned with ISU Extension and Outreach in early March to discuss 4-H camp issues as related to the involvement of the Iowa 4-H Foundation.  If that meeting indicates ISU Extension and Outreach’s ongoing support for use of the Iowa 4-H Center, it is expected that a plan will be developed to raise funds to support longevity of the center.