4-H Camps

Information on all camp facilities can be found on 4-H Camps website.

This camp is for youth in grades 4-6 (as of January 1 of current year). Campers will travel by bus to Columbia, Tennessee to W. P. Ridley 4-H Center located at 850 Lion Parkway. Youth will enjoy a fun-filled week of swimming in an Olympic sized pool (including a water slide), archery, rifle-range, crafts, wildlife, ziplining, creek stomping, basketball, disc golf, mini golf, and much more! Jr. Camp is an overnight camp which includes 5 days and 4 nights of pure FUN and continuous entertainment. This camp will enable youth to make life-long friends from other counties. Marshall, Lincoln, Williamson, and Davidson Counties will join Giles County the week of June 2-6, 2025.

The cost of this camp for 2025 is $380/camper. Sign ups will begin again in the spring at https://tiny.utk.edu/jrcamp25.

More about W. P. Ridley 4-H Center:

The modern camp facility that is accredited according to the strict guidelines of the American Camp Association. The 4-H Center has a beautifully landscaped 49-acre campus conveniently located just 45 miles south of Nashville near historical downtown Columbia, Tennessee.

Campers and leaders are housed in ten, newly renovated, contemporary-style cabins that provide a comfortable stay for 400 guests. The 20,000 sq.ft. dining and recreation hall facilities offer ample space for a multitude of activities. Home-cooked, nutritious meals are served cafeteria-style in the cool comfort of a 425-seat dining hall and campers may always return for “seconds” at every meal. The recreation hall, attached to the dining facility, is a large covered, open-air pavilion with a stage. The recreation hall can be used for numerous activities: 4-square, ping pong, corn hole, large gatherings, dancing, etc. 

Campers may enjoy an Olympic-sized pool with a long, winding water slide, ziplines, a lighted ball field, sand volleyball, basketball courts and a miniature putt-putt course. Other facilities include a wildlife center, covered rifle range, airbrush/crafts pavilion, a creek for aquatic exploration, archery range and a low ropes course.  

During the school year, the Ridley 4-H Center offers STEM education as a field trip opportunity. The hands-on, educational program is called, “Take a Walk on the Wild Side.” Please visit the Ridley 4-H Center website for more information.

Junior High Camp is for youth in grades 6-8 and is located at the top of Cumberland Plateau at Clyde York 4-H Center located at 62 4-H Center Dr., Crossville, Tennessee. This camp is located on 194 acres of well-maintained grounds and is usually much cooler since it is located upon the Cumberland Plateau making it the perfect camp for the summer months. Clyde York offers unique state of the art facilities in a natural and beautiful environment. Top 10 reasons every child deserves a camp experience can be found here: Experience Youth Camps

Giles County’s camp week is May 26-30, 2025. The cost is TBD and includes food, lodging, t-shirt, and additional recreational activities such as night-time ziplining, games, birding, wildlife adventures, swimming, and more!

More about the Clyde York 4-H Center:

The Center is a modern camp facility that is accredited according to the strict guidelines of the American Camp Association. The Center features an air-conditioned recreation hall and dining hall, and is known for the quality of its home-cooked meals. Eight air-conditioned cabins with up-to-date bath facilities sleep more than 500 persons and provide a restful atmosphere for campers. Accommodations for campers with disabilities are also available.

Campers can enjoy an Olympic-size pool with a 125-foot water slide. Two lakes allow campers to enjoy fishing and canoeing. Campers can also create projects at the woodworking center and craft house. Other facilities include a covered basketball court, sports fields, a wildlife center, an adventure challenge course, and a zip line.

The Center is located on 194 acres offering a variety of rustic scenery. The maintained grounds are fenced for security purposes. For more information about the Center, please visit the Clyde York 4-H Center website.

The Central Region Pioneer Camp is for youth who are enrolled in the grades 7-9 the current calendar school year. Campers will have 4 days, 3 nights and will stay in a very rustic setting where they participate in Pioneer themed activities, go on an offsite field trip, enjoy free time fishing or swimming in the Collins River, and experience a giant water slide. This camp will be held at Camp Woodlee in Warren County. Camp dates are June 1-4, 2025.

The cost for this is TBD. Registration is limited. For more information, contact Wheeler McCulloch – wmccull4@utk.edu.

How would you like to spend 3 days meeting new friends, and just having fun?  The cost for this year’s camp is TBD.  Each year a new activity and location will be announced. This year’s destination and theme are yet to be determined. Check back here for updates. Due to space restrictions, registration is limited.  Giles County has 2 available spots. Participants will be accepted on a first come basis. This camp is open to all youth in grades 9-12. Camp dates are June 23-27, 2025.

Contact Wheeler McCulloch wmccull4@utk.edu

Electric Camp is a fun-filled, rewarding adventure in electricity held at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  The camp features learning centers staffed by electric utility professionals.  Each learning center will use hands-on activities that allow the 4-H members to learn by doing.  Electric camp is for boys and girls enrolled in 4-H who are in grades 6-8 as of January 1 of the current calendar year. Members do not have to be enrolled in the electric project to attend the camp, but they should have an interest in this area.  

This year’s activities include: Electric Lamp, Wind Energy, Robotics, Home Energy Conservation, Electric Vehicles, and Electrical Safety along with traditional camp experience and activities including swimming, swim party and dance, pizza party, learning centers, and dinner at Main Event, and food!

The cost is TBD. Camp dates are June 24-27, 2025.

Contact Wheeler McCulloch wmccull4@utk.edu

4-H Target Smart Camp is a program of TN 4-H Shooting Sports.  It is for youth who are enrolled in grades 5-9 the current calendar school year.  This resident camp is located at the Clyde York 4-H Center in Crossville, TN.  Participants do not need shooting experience prior to attending camp.  Campers will participate in activities that will develop firearm safety, responsibilities, and life skills.  They will experience and participate in skill competition in specific disciplines such as archery, rifle, shotgun, and hunting & outdoor skills.  Cost: TBD Visit the 4-H Shooting Sports Website for more information. Dates for 2025 are TBD. Please check back!

Contact Wheeler McCulloch wmccull4@utk.edu

Are you in the 6-8th grade and enjoy cooking?  Then this is the camp for YOU!  Tennessee Tech University will host this overnight event again this year. The theme for 2025 is yet to be determined. SPACE IS LIMITED!  ONLY 2 CAMPERS PER COUNTY WILL BE SELECTED.  COST: TBD  Please check back for 2025 camp dates and details.

Contact Wheeler McCulloch wmccull4@utk.edu

Are you in the 6th-8th grade and enrolled in one of the 4-H Project areas? Then this conference may interest you! As a participant, you will be involved in educational programming on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (UTK). Delegates will receive extensive, hands-on training in project areas under the supervision of university scientists and specialists on the UTK campus. The conference will provide a variety of rewarding and fun-filled experiences including classroom, outdoor, and laboratory settings. Please visit the Academic Conference website for more details. Conference dates are June 10-13, 2025.

Contact Wheeler McCulloch wmccull4@utk.edu

Wheeler McCulloch Profile Page
Wheeler McCulloch
Extension Agent I, Giles County
Responsible Area(s)
4-H Youth Development
Chandra Nelms Profile Page
Chandra Nelms
Ext Program Assistant II, Giles County
Responsible Area(s)
4-H Youth Development
Tina Gowan Murray Profile Page
Tina Gowan Murray
Admin Support Asst II, Giles County
Responsible Area(s)
Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community Economic Development