Nevada has been involved in 4-H camping since the first 4-H camp took place on the University of Nevada, Reno campus in 1930. For about 79 years in Nevada, 4-H camping has been a proven and effective method of reaching, teaching, and involving youth in leadership skills development. Each year, more than 500 youth participate in 4-H camping programs at Lake Tahoe Nevada 4-H Camp. Other 4-H camping programs take place across the state.
Both residential and day 4-H camping programs have a rich history of providing educational programming to thousands of youth annually through hands-on, experiential learning. Every camp offers great adventure, friendship, and fun, and all seek to develop the camper's Head, Heart, Hands, and Health to make him or her a better person. The leadership skills that are given major emphasis in Nevada's 4-H camping program include:
- Understanding self and character-building skills
- Communicating and relating to others
- Problem-solving and decision making
- Managing resources
- Working with others
- Environmental stewardship
4-H camping is cooperative group living that focuses on the individual's social, spiritual, mental, and physical development for both boys and girls. Since 4-H camping is educationally focused, it is recognized as a method by which to deliver 4-H programming.
These camps involve trained professional staff, as well as highly skilled adult and teen volunteers in working with and supervising all campers.
Nevada 4-H Tahoe Camp Youth Programs
Nevada offers a number of camps at the Nevada State 4-H camp in Lake Tahoe. Each camp is planned, organized, and staffed by County and State Extension 4-H staff and volunteers. Teens are selected and trained to be counselors at each camp. Each area camp is listed below, with dates and contact information.
Campers from the respective areas are given first priority for attendance. If there is availability others can apply to attend the camp. Youth from military families are given an allocated number of spaces dependent upon the area camp.
- 4-H Northern-Western Area Camp: July 9-15, 2023, contact person Sarah Chvilicek, sarahc@unr.edu
- 4-H Central Camp: July 16-20, 2023, contact person Kenny Haack-Damon, damonk@unr.edu
- 4-H Livestock Camp: July 24-27, 2023, contact person Rebecca Glocknitzer, rglocknitzer@unr.edu