Texas 4-H offering a variety of summer camps for diverse youth interests

BROWNWOOD — The Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood has released its summer camp schedule, and there’s something for almost everyone, said program coordinators.

“We have programs ranging from our Horizons camp to a Mission Possible camp for youth with disabilities,” said Cari Snider, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist, Brownwood. “There are also Prime Time camps and county camps. We have designed a wide variety of summer camps to address a breadth of youth interests and to be inclusive so as many young people as possible can share in the 4-H experience.”

Snider said the main goal of the camps is for participants to have fun and make new friends, but they also help young people to learn leadership and teamwork as well as help them build character and develop life skills.

The center, operated by AgriLife Extension, is at 5600 Farm-to-Market Road 3021 near Brownwood. It is located on 78 acres on the western side of Lake Brownwood and features a swimming pool and basketball and volleyball courts. Activities include shooting sports, kayaking, fishing, dance, and arts and crafts.

Snider said some of the camps are open to youth in specific grades, while most are open to youth from ages 8-18. Enrollment is based on the grade entering this fall.

4-H membership is not required for camp participation.

“The Texas 4-H Center and American Camp Association form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety,” Snider said. “The goal of these camps is to provide healthy, developmentally appropriate activities and learning experiences, discovery through experiential education, promote an interest in service to the community and the environment, and provide opportunities for leadership and personal growth.”

Additional camp activities include a challenge course, rock wall climbing, zipline, pamper pole and giant swing, swinging log, mohawk walk and spider web.

“Each year we hire 25 college students to serve as camp counselors and to help us facilitate the many summer camp activities we offer each summer,” Snider said. “They are selected to work at the Texas 4-H Center because of their positive attitude and personal skills. Many of our summer staff attended camp as a youth and want to give the same positive camp experience to a new generation of campers.”

Snider said adults must enroll as a 4-H volunteer, have a verified background check and complete child protection training in 4-H Connect prior to camp.

For information about summer camps and cost and registration details, go to

https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-Guide.pdf.

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, [email protected]

Contact: Cari Snider, 325-784-5482, [email protected]