PURPOSE:
Provide interested teens the opportunity to assume leadership roles in a camping situation with special opportunities for educational and social adjustments through group living.
4-H CAMP OBJECTIVES:
- To provide a leadership opportunity for an older 4-H member.
- To participate in the camp program from the planning stages to the actual event.
- To learn to live, work, and play with younger 4-H members as well as adults.
- To learn to accept and discharge responsibility.
- To develop and/or enhance life skills, such as leadership, teamwork, self-responsibility, cooperation, and planning/organizing.
PROCEDUREApplications are to be completed by the Junior Youth Director applicant and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on January 15, 2026. Only online applications will be accepted.
Applications are to be completed by the Junior Counselor
applicant and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on January 29, 2026. Only
online applications will be accepted.
REQUIREMENTS- Junior Counselors must be in the 9th grade or above and be eligible for 4-H youth membership as of June 30, 2026.
- Applicants must be actively enrolled as a 4-H member prior to acceptance of a JC position.
- JCs are required to attend ALL camp planning meetings (unless prior arrangements are made for select reasons to be addressed on a case by case basis) and must be able to arrive at camp one day prior to the start of camp and remain until 5pm on the closing day of camp.
- February Planning Meeting (2/26/26)
- March Planning Meeting (3/26/26)
- April Planning Meeting (4/23/26)
- May Mandatory Overnight Training Workshop (5/8/26 - 5/9/26)
- May Planning Meeting (5/28/26)
- June Camper Orientation (6/25/26)
- July 12-17, 2026 (camp dates are 7/13/26-7/17/26)
- Junior Counselors are required to attend all camp training meetings. Failure to attend any meeting may result in your removal from the camp team.- The on-site overnight training workshop in May is MANDATORY.
- Junior Counselors are required to attend an orientation for new campers and parents in June.
If you require a disability accommodation in order to participate in this activity, please contact the 4-H YDP staff at least two weeks prior to the interview.
SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications for Junior Counselor positions shall be reviewed and selected by the Junior Counselor Selection Committee. Following review of applications, committee may hold interviews to select Junior Counselors and alternates.
Criteria to be used by the Junior Counselor Selection Committee in selecting candidates:
- Has experience in a 4-H youth development (YD) camp program
- Has had some other experience in a camping program: school, church, or other. Preference will be given to 4-H members who have experienced 4-H camp or conference or have experience as a Junior or Teen Leader.
- Has demonstrated leadership abilities and maturity of judgment.
- Is committed to attending all planning meetings, willing to take an active role in the pre-camp planning stages as well as participate during the camp week.
- Has initiative and enthusiasm. Is willing to participate enthusiastically in activities, song leading and skits.
- Enjoys being in the outdoors and working with youth as well as adult partners.
- Has a camp skill that would contribute to the needs of campers, the team, and program. (i.e. crafts, hiking, sports, recreation, storytelling, song leading, and fishing).
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide leadership for the 4-H Youth Development camp program.
- Work cooperatively with counselors (adult and junior) and Camp Executive Committee.
- Active participant with the pre-planning activities for camp, counselor interviews, and camp planning meetings.
- Develop a program of work for assigned responsibilities. Reports are to be given (and submitted in writing) at each meeting.
- Use good judgment in working with campers. Serve as a positive role model for the campers.
- Adhere to the code of conduct.
- Will be living in a cabin with up to eight campers. Responsible to make sure campers follow policies, rules and procedures at camp.
- Live and work collaboratively with an adult co-counselor in cabin.
- Contribute to post-camp evaluation.
- Attend all camp planning meetings scheduled for February, March, April, May, and June as well as 4-H camp.
- Prepare detailed lesson plans for activities to be taught to campers by JC's.
SELECTION COMMITTEE:
- The Junior Counselor Selection Committee is composed of 4-H Volunteer Leaders and may include previous or current camp youth directors.
