Summer Camp with North Carolina 4-H at Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center!

Looking for a summer experience that combines adventure, learning, and lasting memories? Overnight summer camp at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center offers the perfect opportunity for youth ages 8-17 (age as of 1st day at camp session) to connect with nature, make new friends, learn life skills, gain confidence, and have fun! Camp registration includes transportation to and from camp, three meals a day, and five nights of lodging.

Information for the summer 2026 4-H Camp will be coming soon, this fall! If you are interested in sending a camper(s) to 4-H camp with Mecklenburg County this summer, please fill out this interest form: 4-H Summer Camp Interest – Mecklenburg

Please note, filling out the interest form does not guarantee your camper(s) spot at camp. It also does not require any payment. This is only an interest form, not a registration. More information including dates and registration will be coming soon.

In the past, Mecklenburg County 4-H has attended  the Betsy-Jeff Penn (BJP) 4-H Educational Center in Reidsville, North Carolina in the first or second week of July for camp. 

Camp Options:

• Traditional Camp (ages 8-12): This is the classic residential, six-day summer camping experience for children ages 8-12. Children are placed in single gender cabins alongside trained adult counselors for lodging and in co-ed activity groups according to age for activities throughout the day. Campers participate in a variety of activities including canoeing, archery, rock wall climbing, swimming, arts & crafts, campfires, nature exploration, teambuilding, high ropes and more! Cost: $555
• Adventure Camp (ages 12-14): In addition to regular residential camping activities, Adventure campers learn fire building, orienteering, outdoor cooking, tent set-up and have the opportunity to go down the zip-line at high ropes. It also includes a unique two-night on-site camp out where campers make campfire meals and stay in single gender tents they set up. Cost: $555
• Trekker Camp (ages 12-14): Trekker campers participate in an over-night, off-site camp-out for one night. Prior to the trip, Trekkers learn advanced canoeing skills on Lake Hazel and climbing skills using our climbing wall and high ropes course. Trekkers spend much of their time at camp learning specialized skills in preparation for their trip so do not participate in many of the normal camp activities like archery, crafts, etc. An additional waiver form is required to participate. Cost: $605
• Leader-in-Training (LIT) Program (Ages 15-17): The LIT program is designed to help older campers develop leadership skills. LITS are assigned to a staff mentor for the week and spend time assisting with behind the scenes details, and also participate in team building and leadership activities. 

Common Questions About Camp:

When does registration open? Summer Camp 2025 registration will begin in the late fall – winter. Please fill out the interest form above Please sign up for the 4-H Mailing list to receive updates about when registration begins. Camp spots are reserved on a first come, first served basis.

What are the steps to registering for camp through Mecklenburg County 4-H?

Prior to registering your camper, please be sure to read through all FAQs and information on this page. The following steps are all required in order for your camper’s spot to be reserved. If you are registering multiple youth for camp, this process is required for each child.

1. Enroll or re-enroll your camper in 4-H Online for the 2025-2026 program year. Directions to enroll can be found here: 4-H Online
2. Complete all required forms in the 2026 camp forms packet
3. Pay the $50 deposit to secure your camper’s spot. Contact 4-H staff after completing steps 1 and 2 for information on how to pay.

What if my potential camper has not been involved with 4-H before? Youth do not need to have any previous involvement with 4-H in order to attend 4-H Camp with Mecklenburg County.

Is the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center an accredited camp? Yes, the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). 

Is transportation to camp provided? No.

What are the sleeping arrangements? All cabins are separated by both gender and age, with the age distribution within a cabin generally not exceeding more than 2 years. Counselors, Leaders-in -Training (LITs), and campers share the residential cabin space.

What are the supervision ratios? All of the camp staff are adults, and no teenagers will be put in supervisory roles over the campers. Generally, we try to maintain ratios of 1 staff member to every 8-10 campers depending on the group age and activity content.

Can I receive daily updates about my camper during the week of camp? Typically, daily contact between parents and campers is discouraged as camp is a great environment to learn independence in a safe space! We do encourage parents to write letters to their campers, and they can even drop off their letters at check-in. Should a situation arise where parent contact is necessitated, camp staff will work to get them into contact.

What if my child needs special accommodations?

For accommodations related to food allergies, you may contact the Summer Program Director at Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center directly, and they will put you in contact with the camp’s Food Service Director for more information.

For accommodations related to medical disabilities, limitations, and physical or mental challenges, please contact the 4-H Staff before registering your child for camp. Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Camp can make certain accommodations, and it is important for the 4-H Staff to be aware of what accommodations may be necessary, so that the camp can determine if they will be able to meet those needs or not.

Are there camp scholarships? 2026 Camp Scholarship Mecklenburg County 4-H

For more information regarding camp, contact Mecklenburg County 4-H Staff at ibbarco@ncsu.edu.