Texas 4-H center names new program director

The Texas 4-H Conference Center has selected Alec Kiser as its new program coordinator to continue providing a variety of fun, educational summer camp experiences for Texas youth.

In this new role, Kiser, formerly the center’s event coordinator, will manage the facility’s summer camp operations.

“My focus will be to fine-tune the existing youth summer camps so they will positively impact on our future growth,” Kiser said. “I’m excited to be stepping into this new role where I can share my knowledge and experiences with Texas youth and continue to grow professionally.”

Conference center serves 4-H around the state  

The center, centrally located on Lake Brownwood to serve the youth of Texas, is part of the Texas 4-H Youth Development program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. It offers a variety of summer camp opportunities, including general and topic-focused camps for youth of all ages and interests.  

Since opening in 1975, tens of thousands of children, adult volunteers and AgriLife Extension staff have participated in summer camps and other programs at the center. The summer camps are some of the most well-attended and greatly anticipated activities at the center, according to its director Melvin Atkinson.

“Each year, over 1,000 youth come through our gates and have what many of them call the best week of their life,” Atkinson said. “Our residential camps help youth develop invaluable life skills.”

Kiser’s summer camp responsibilities

As program director, Kiser will be responsible for coordinating and implementing a variety of summer camps, including:

• County Camps: Three- to four-day camps for youth in grades 2-11. Activities include swimming, kayaking, climbing, archery, and arts and crafts. 
• Prime Time Camps: Four-day, three-night camps for youth in grades 2-8. Activities include swimming, kayaking, a challenge course, archery, and arts and crafts. 
• Horizons Camps: Five-day, four-night camps for youth in grades 4–8. Activities include project enhancement, career exploration and professional development.

Kiser said he plans to continue expanding the “teen ambassador” program that inspires former summer camp attendees to become involved in supporting youth at future camps.

“It’s important to get former campers who have experienced the camps and understand how rewarding they can be and how they helped them develop to remain involved and show other Texas youth their many benefits,” he said.  

Information on 2025 Texas 4-H summer camps can be found at https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/camps-and-retreats/.     

Kiser’s additional experience and certifications

Previously, Kiser was in the U.S. Naval Reserves and coached junior varsity baseball and varsity boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams at Windsor High School in Windsor, Virginia.

He also had previous 4-H experience at AirField 4-H Conference Center in Wakefield, Virginia, where he led teambuilding and challenge courses for private businesses and school and church groups. Kiser was also a 4-H camp staffer at the center, organizing and supervising indoor and outdoor recreation activities, administering swim tests and teaching sports-specific courses to encourage teambuilding and sportsmanship.

Kiser is certified as a lifeguard and first aid and CPR instructor. He also has Level 1 high ropes training certification and Texas Parks and Wildlife Angler Education instructor certification.

Summer camp staff applications  

Summer camp staff applications for the Texas 4-H center are now open.

“If you or someone you know is interested in providing a fun, safe and welcoming atmosphere for campers, then you are welcome to apply,” Kiser said.

For more information regarding summer camp employment, contact Kiser at [email protected].