The Lincoln County UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Program and the 4-H Leaders’ Association have planned a fun filled camping season for all youth in Lincoln County. 4-H Camp is a great way to make new friends, experience new adventures, learn cooperation, learn life skills and pass on knowledge to others. 4-H camps offer new and different opportunities and activities.
Like other 4-H projects and activities, 4-H camp is centered around the idea of providing youth a fun, hands-on environment to build and strengthen valuable life skills. According to a large research study by the American Camp Association, summer camps positively affect children in the following ways:
•Youth become more confident and experience increased self-esteem.
•Youth develop more social skills that help them make new friends.
•Youth grow more independent and show more leadership qualities
•Youth become more adventurous and willing to try new things.*

Camp is another great way 4-H enables youth to learn and practice skills to be productive citizens.
Lincoln County will be camping with Taylor, Portage and Waupaca Counties to offer two different camps – Junior Camp (June 8-9) and Intermediate Camp (June 13-15).

Junior Camp is for youth (open to 4-H and non 4-H youth) in 2nd – 4th grade to gain life skills through hands-on activities, experience nature, meet and interact with other youth, and work in group settings. Bus transportation is provided for all campers/counselors/adults to the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. The bus leaves early afternoon on Friday, June 8th and returns early evening on Saturday, June 9. The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/cwes/Pages/default.aspx) is a 200-acre teaching and learning center located 17 miles east of Stevens Point on glacial Sunset Lake.

Intermediate Camp is for youth (open to 4-H and non 4-H youth) in 5th – 8th grade to gain life skills through hands-on activities, experience nature, meet and interact with other youth, and work in group settings. Bus transportation is provided for all campers/counselors/adults to Upham Woods Environmental Education Center in Wisconsin Dells. The bus leaves before noon on Wednesday, June 13 and returns early afternoon Friday, June 15. Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center (http://fyi.uwex.edu/uphamwoods/) provides educational opportunities through programs focused on environmental and leadership education.
More information about each camp along with registration materials are available on the Lincoln County UW-Extension website at http://lincoln.uwex.edu/ or from the office located in the Lincoln County Service Center at 801 N. Sales St. in Merrill. Registrations for both camps are due by May 15.