Union County 4-Her’s had a blast at 4-H camps this summer. Junior 4-H Camp was held June 4-8 with a record of forty Union County 4th-6th graders attending. This was a large increase in attendance over past years. Junior High 4-H Camp was held July 9-11 with five Union Countians attending, including two teen leaders. Both camps are held in Greeneville at Clyde Austin 4-H Center, Monday through Friday annually.

The camps are engaging and aimed at creating lifelong memories through exciting, constructive activities and fun-filled days. Campers have tons of things to do. The camp features an Olympic sized pool with a one-hundred-thirty foot long water slide, a wildlife center, a large recreation hall, ball fields, a basketball court, and shooting and archery ranges. Other facilities include a nature center, a woodworking shop, and an airbrush shop. Campers can also fish, canoe, or enjoy a kayak ride on the lake. Other activities include a low ropes course, leather crafts, and a fossil class. An outdoor theater, known as the Friendship Circle, is the backdrop for campfires and vespers. A concessions area offers refreshing snack items. Campers eat home cooked meals and stay in modern, air-conditioned dormitories with attached, clean bath facilities. It is an exciting and fully loaded week of making new friends and learning new skills.

Each year in the spring and fall, Tennessee 4-H partners with Tractor Supply for a Paper Clover Campaign. With this opportunity, Tractor Supply helps send many children to 4-H camp on partial or full scholarship. Also, there are some scholarships individually provided to children from donors. This year fifty-eight percent of Union County Junior Campers and sixty-one percent of total campers attended with some portion of scholarship funding. Support from donors, parents, the community, and Tractor Supply is greatly appreciated, as without it these opportunities could not be so plentiful.