Iowa 4-H Center
2010 Summer Camps
"Just 4 You!"

2010 Calendar Of Events (PDF)

2010 Summer Camp Descriptions (PDF)

2010 Camp Brochure and Registration Form

Iowa 4-H Center Summer Camp Staff Application (Word)

Summer 2010 Photography Camp website

Mission Statement
4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults.
 
Our History and Tradition
Iowa 4-H is a youth development program with more than 100 years of experience fostering positive life skills in Iowa youth. The Iowa 4-H Center was created in 1950 to give campers a fun and educational outdoor learning environment over its 1,100 acre estate in the heart of the Des Moines River Valley. This summer will be Iowa 4-H Center's 60th summer providing 4-H life skills through camping experiences for children and young adults across Iowa.
 
4-H camp offers the opportunity for supervised independence to gain self-confidence and leadership skills, a sense of belonging with a caring group while making lifelong friends, a spirit of generosity toward others, and a wide variety of opportunities to master new skills and discover nature. The Iowa 4-H Center follows the motto of “learning by doing,” and draws on the knowledge base of Iowa State University and competent professional and student staff.
 
Camp Open House
Join us Thursday, June 3 anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. for a BBQ picnic dinner. You can try out the climbing tower and archery range, make a camp craft, take a wagon tour of camp, visit the overnight camp cabins and day camp lodge, and meet camp staff and directors. Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions about camp. Bring a friend! It's free to attend.

Home Away from Home
Your camper will enjoy a traditional camping experience in one of our many camp cabins, bringing the outdoors within reach. Each cabin has a carpeted floor, electricity, air conditioning, and bunk beds. Bathrooms and showers are located in the main lodge, a short distance from the cabin. Campers are placed in cabins by gender and age with at least two counselors. The entire camp eats all meals together in Linden Lodge dining hall. Meals are nutritionally balanced with vegetarian options available. If your child has an allergy, our kitchen staff will accommodate his or her needs.
 
Health and Safety
Iowa 4-H Center staff takes every precaution to ensure the safety of our campers. All visitors are required to check in upon arrival. All boaters must wear lifejackets regardless of swimming ability. Safety is controlled in our swimming area by certified lifeguards and frequent “buddy checks.” A licensed Registered Nurse lives on site and meets the health needs of campers. Everyone at camp uses the “buddy system”: anytime you go anywhere, you take someone with you.
 
Caring Adult Staff
Caring Adults are an essential element to all Iowa 4-H programs. Nowhere is that role more important than at the Iowa 4-H Center­staff of our 4-H camp program is committed to providing a nurturing environment for campers. Staff members are carefully selected for their ability to be advisors, guides, and mentors. After passing a criminal background check, they undergo 14 days of indepth youth development training, CPR, first aid certification, and additional instruction in special program areas.
 
The Iowa 4-H Center Is an Accredited Camp!
The Iowa 4-H Center has earned the distinction of being an American Camp Association accredited camp since 1954. ACA is a nationally recognized, independent accrediting organization that focuses primarily on program quality and health and safety aspects of camp operation. This voluntary accreditation assures families that the Iowa 4-H Center has made a commitment to be a safe, nurturing environment for children and that our practices have been measured against national standards and go beyond state licensing requirements. For parents, ACA accreditation means excellence, accountability, and ongoing commitment to children. For staff at the Iowa 4-H Center, accreditation means a regular, independent health and safety audit of camp operations and a behind the scenes risk-management process that ensures we are prepared for uncertainties, allowing us to concentrate on campers.
 
Iowa 4-H Center Camps Are for Everyone
Through the generosity of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, families can gain assistance for campers to attend sessions at the Iowa 4-H Center. For information on receiving financial assistance, contact your local county extension office and ask for Financial Assistance Form VI-3092-FS or visit the Iowa 4-H Foundation Web site at www.iowa4hfoundation.org/financial/applications . Complete the form and return it, along with a copy of your registration form, to your county extension office by May 1. Send your actual registration form to the Iowa 4-H Center. If you are unsure how to reach your local county extension office, call the camp office at (515) 795-3338. You will be notified at the end of May of the financial assistance you have been awarded. Your full camp registration payment is due two weeks before your camp date, so if your camper plans to attend one of the first weeks of camp, you may need to pay in advance and be reimbursed after financial assistance is awarded. 4-H membership is not required to participate in Iowa 4-H Center summer camps. Don't miss your chance to come to camp. Apply today!

Camp Gift Certificates

Iowa 4-H Center gift certificates are a great way to recognize others! Consider them for awards, birthday presents, or special occasion gifts! Gift certificates can be purchased in any amount and are redeemable for either store items or registration fees. To order call the camp office at 515-795-3338 or download an Order Form.

Map & Directions to camp

For more information about Iowa 4-H Center summer camps contact the camp office: 515-795-3338, 4hcentermail@iastate.edu