Carroll County 4-H Residential Camp

The Carroll County 4-H Residential Camp Program rents the Hashawha Environmental Center, located at 300 John Owings Road, Westminster, MD 21158. The facility has historically been associated with the Carroll County Outdoor School, making it a familiar location for many in the community.

For more information about the facility, visit the Hashawha Environmental Center and Bear Branch Nature Center website, or watch a virtual video tour of the facilities.

Each camp cabin is divided into two bunk rooms, with nine bunk beds in each room, for a total of 18 beds per side and 36 beds per cabin. Each bunk room has its own indoor bathroom with sinks, toilet stalls, and showers.

The cabins are now air-conditioned! However, electrical outlets are limited, so campers who wish to bring their own fans are encouraged to bring battery-powered fans.

The ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving organizations to ensure that accredited camps follow current, research-based standards for camp operations. This partnership helps camps provide an environment where youth can learn, grow, have fun, and feel safe.

ACA accreditation supports camps like ours in providing:

• Healthy, developmentally appropriate activities and learning experiences
• Opportunities for discovery through hands-on, experiential learning
• Caring, competent role models
• Opportunities to serve the community and protect the environment
• Experiences that promote leadership and personal growth

No! 4-H camp is open to everyone, and children do not need to be 4-H members or Carroll County residents to attend.

Carroll County 4-H Residential Camp accepts campers ages 8–16, based on their age as of January 1 of the current year. These age requirements are established nationally by the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Our residential camp sessions are divided into younger and older age groups. Typically, the June session is open to youth ages 8–11, while the July session is open to youth ages 10–16. Campers may apply for the session that corresponds with their age group.

To help us provide the best possible camp experience, please notify us as early as possible if your child has special needs, allergies, or other accommodations we should be aware of. This allows us to work with our staff and facility managers to determine how best to meet your child's needs and support their participation in camp.

Camp activities vary from year to year based on the camp theme. Possible activities include hiking, fishing, seining, recreational sports and games, crafts, outdoor cooking, archery, and educational classes. Pool time is scheduled each day, weather permitting.

A highlight of the week is the traditional campfire, where campers work with their small groups to plan and perform songs, skits, and cheers.

Carroll County 4-H Camp is an overnight, residential camp. Campers arrive at 9:00 a.m. on Monday of their camp week and stay overnight until pickup. For the June session, pickup is at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, while the July session ends at 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

Specific camp dates, drop-off times, and pickup details are communicated by email to registered families.

No. Carroll County 4-H Camp is a fully immersive overnight experience, and we do not have the staffing capacity to safely manage daily drop-offs and pick-ups.

Overnight camp helps youth build independence, develop confidence, and grow in a supportive environment. Our staff are trained to help campers who experience homesickness and support them as they adjust to camp life. In the rare instance that a camper has difficulty adjusting, we will work directly with their parent or guardian to determine the best course of action.

No. Carroll County 4-H Camp does not provide transportation to or from the camp facility. Keeping transportation in the hands of families helps us keep camp affordable! Families are responsible for dropping off and picking up their campers.

Detailed information, including directions, arrival and pickup times, parking instructions, and what to expect, will be emailed to registered families approximately two weeks before the start of their camp session.

Carroll County 4-H offers two weeks of residential camp each summer.

• Week 1: Held in late June, Monday through Thursday, for campers ages 8–11.
• Week 2: Held in mid-July, Monday through Friday, for campers ages 10–16.

Specific camp dates are announced each year. Families who register will receive additional details before their camper's session begins.

Camp registration opens in early February each year. Once registration opens, you can find the registration information on the Carroll County 4-H Residential Camp website.

Camp registration closes when all cabin spaces are filled or two weeks before the first week of camp, whichever comes first. We encourage families to register early, as space is limited and registration may close before the deadline if camp fills up.

Because we are responsible for your child's safety and well-being while they are at camp, several forms must be completed and returned before they can attend. All camp forms and payments are due no later than two weeks before the first week of camp.

Required Camp Forms

The required forms include:

• Camp Application
• Health Form
• 4-H Code of Conduct
• Publicity Release
• Liability Release
• Sunscreen Authorization
• Archery Permission
• Camp Hashawha Release

These forms will be emailed to you after you register for camp. If you do not receive the forms or have questions about completing them, please contact the Camp Director Team at cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com.

Important Reminders

Please do not wait until the deadline to complete your forms. Several forms require detailed information and multiple signatures, so we encourage families to start early.

If your child takes any prescription or over-the-counter medications at camp, a medication form signed by their physician is also required.

All required forms must be fully completed and returned for your child to attend camp. Due to University of Maryland policy, we cannot accept electronically signed forms. All forms must include handwritten signatures.

How to Submit Your Forms

You may return your completed forms using one of the following methods:

• By mail: University of Maryland Extension, Carroll County Office, 700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21157.
• In person: Drop off your forms at our office Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• After hours: Place your forms in the locked drop box located just to the left of the office's front door. Staff check the box daily.

If you have questions about the required forms or need assistance, please contact the Camp Director Team at cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com.

Payment for camp is due at the time of registration. Payment can be made online using the payment link provided in the automatic confirmation email following registration or by mailing a check to the Carroll County Extension Office.

Checks should be made payable to CCEAB (Carroll County Extension Advisory Board) and mailed to:

Carroll County Extension Office
700 Agriculture Center Drive
Westminster, MD 21157

Important: Camp fees must be paid in full before your child arrives at camp. Campers will not be permitted to attend camp if their balance has not been paid in full.

We understand that camp expenses can be challenging for some families, and we are happy to work with you to establish a payment plan if needed. However, all payments must be completed before your child arrives at camp. To arrange a payment plan, please contact the Camp Director Team at cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com.

How to Submit Your Payment

You are welcome to drop off payments and completed forms in person at the Carroll County Extension Office. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. For after-hours drop-off, a locked drop box is located just to the left of the office's front door.

Camp scholarship applications are available to anyone who requests one. To request an application, contact the Carroll County Extension Office and ask for Kylie Olsen. Applications can be emailed upon request.

The deadline to submit scholarship applications is April 30 each year. No exceptions will be made.

Completed applications can be submitted in one of the following ways:

• Mail: Attn: Kylie Olsen, Carroll County Extension Office, 700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21157
• Drop off: Place the application in the locked drop box located to the left of the office’s front door.
• Email: Send the application to the Camp Director Team at cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com.

Scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Award amounts vary each year depending on community donations received and the number of applicants. Submitting an application does not guarantee that your child will receive a scholarship, and awards may cover only a portion of the camp fee.

All applicants will be notified by email within two weeks after the scholarship application deadline, regardless of whether they receive an award. Scholarship recipients are responsible for paying any remaining balance in full before camp begins.

Of course! On the registration form, you may list up to two campers your child would like to share a cabin with. We do our best to honor these requests, as having a friend in the cabin can help campers feel more comfortable and reduce homesickness.

Please note that one of our goals at 4-H Camp is to help campers make new friends. For this reason, friend requests are not honored when assigning Small Groups, which stay together throughout the day.

If your child experiences anxiety or you have any other concerns, please contact the Camp Director Team at cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com. We are happy to discuss accommodations and work with your family to help your child have a positive and successful camp experience.

No. At camp, we encourage campers to step outside their comfort zones and build new friendships. Small groups are intentionally mixed to help campers develop social skills and connect with new peers. However, friends will still have plenty of opportunities to spend time together in their cabins, during meals, and throughout camp activities. This approach helps create an inclusive and enriching experience for everyone!

If you have any concerns, please contact the Camp Director Team at cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com. We monitor small-group interactions and make adjustments when needed to support campers. Our goal is to ensure every child has a positive and successful camp experience.

No. Carroll County 4-H Residential Camp is a cell phone- and electronics-free camp. This policy helps keep campers safe and protects personal belongings from loss or damage.

Additionally, Wi-Fi is unavailable, electrical outlets are limited, and cell service is unreliable, making many electronic devices impractical to use at camp. Campers stay busy with activities from Rise & Shine to Lights Out and rarely miss their electronics!

Of course! There is a space on both the Application and the Health Forms for you to detail any dietary restrictions or food allergies your child may have. The kitchen staff cooks for the school district at Outdoor School and is very experienced in making dietary accommodations. If you are concerned that your child will not eat or won’t have enough options you are welcome to leave food with the adult staff at camp check-in. We will make sure that it is made available to your child. You’re also welcome to leave alternate milk options for your child with adult staff at check-in so that it is available to them at breakfast with cereal. All food items must be labeled with the child’s name. Food is not allowed in the cabin, so do not send it directly with your child. 4-H signs a rental agreement with Hashawha Environmental Center to rent the facility and keep food (and thus mice) out of the cabins as part of the agreement.

The Carroll County 4-H Residential Camp Program falls under the University of Maryland. This means that: University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

To make accommodations we need to know how to do so successfully no later than May 31st each year. You can contact the Camp Director Team (cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com), call at 410-386-2760, or schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting at the Carroll County Extension Office at 700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD, 21157. In the past, some camp families have submitted their child’s 504 plan or IEP to help us understand their child’s needs.

You can leave camp mail with the Adult Staff at camp check-in to be given out daily during lunch. You can also send your child with stamped and addressed envelopes for return mail from camp!

In case of an emergency where you need to contact your child, you can email the Camp Director Team (cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com) or call the Camp Hashawha Health Room phone at 410-386-3564.

Camp orientation occurs every year in June over Zoom. Parents and campers are encouraged to attend and ask questions. If you can’t make it to the meeting, no worries! We will record and email out the video afterward.

A packing list will be sent out 2 weeks before camp with all the drop-off information.

4-H is a Positive Youth Development Organization and our Youth Volunteer Leadership Program is no different! Beginning at age 12 campers can elect to become a Youth Volunteer.

• Small Group Leader (SGL) - Small Group Leaders will provide support and guidance to a group of 16 to 18 enthusiastic youth campers. They will collaborate closely with their assigned Small Group, Youth Directors, and Adult Director Team to coordinate engaging camp activities and programs. Youth must be at least 16 years old by June 1 of the year for which they are applying to serve in this role.
• Activity Leader (AL) - Activity Leaders will work together to choose, plan, and lead camp craft and recreation activities for groups of 16 to 18 young campers. They will also assist Small Group Leaders in coordinating Small Group activities. Youth must be at least 14 years old as of June 1 of the year for which they are applying to serve in this role. 
• Leader-In-Training (LIT) - Leader-In-Training participants will provide leadership and guidance to a cabin of 15 campers, collaborate to create a LIT-led camp activity, and support their Small Group Leader in executing Small Group activities. Youth must be 12 years old as of June 1 of the year for which they are applying to serve in this role. 

These positions are strictly volunteer and allow youth to gain leadership skills while earning Maryland service-learning hours for school. Applications will be available the last week of October each year and are due back the Friday of the second full week in December. Youth will interview either via Zoom or in person in late December to early January.

Because our camp is accredited by the American Camp Association each of our Camp Volunteers must complete 30 hours of training each year. We plan our training to take place once a month from January-June at the Carroll County Extension Office (700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD, 21157). In April or March, training will take place from Saturday morning to noon on Sunday at Camp Hashawha. It is expected that when a Youth Volunteer Leader commits to the program they attend each training. Please be aware that our Youth Volunteers still pay to attend camp as these youth still receive all the benefits of camp including food, housing, and all crafts & activities.

All Adult Camp Volunteers go through the University of Maryland Extension 4-H Volunteer process. Adult Camp Volunteers will need to be fingerprinted and approved before working with youth. Because our camp is accredited by the American Camp Association each of our Camp Volunteers must complete 30 hours of training each year. We plan our training to take place once a month from January-June at the Carroll County Extension Office (700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD, 21157). In April or March, training will take place from Saturday morning to noon on Sunday at Camp Hashawha. If you would like to join our Adult Volunteer Staff, please reach out to the Camp Director Team (cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com).

The Camp Volunteer Staff does a sweep of the grounds before leaving the facility. Anything collected goes to the Carroll County Extension Office (700 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD, 21157). Pictures of lost items will be posted on the Camp Facebook Page and emailed out to families. If your item isn’t pictured, then it is not at the Extension Office. In that case, the staff at Bear Branch Nature Center will need to be contacted to see if it was found there.

Lost and found items will be discarded if not claimed within 30 days.

We understand that summer plans change! Please contact the Camp Director Team (cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com) as soon as you know you will not be able to attend camp. With enough notice, we can refund you the cost of camp minus any Eventbrite fees. With less than 30 days of notice, the 4-H Camp will not be able to refund you at all given that supplies have been purchased and the rental facility has already been paid for your camper’s attendance.

Please contact the Camp Director Team at cc4hcampdirectors@gmail.com to get your specific question answered!