Site Map    
Camps

4-H Outdoor, Science and Adventure Camp -

 

Summer Camp Promotional Video

 

Merced County 4-H has had over 80 years of camping. *

 

When:

bullet Session 1: June 25- June 29, 2010
bullet Campers: Grade 4th through 8th
bullet Staff: High School Students - Interviews set for March 13, 2010
bullet Cabin Leaders/Camp Directors: Volunteer 4-H Adult Leaders - Cabin leader position info

 

 

Camp Registrations are Available online for your convience, they can be submitted to the office beginning March 30 and the deadline is May 4th.


Summer Camp Forms


Activities enjoyed at camp

bullet Outdoor Activities
bullet Meeting New Friends
bullet Recreation and Games
bullet Arts and Crafts
bullet Experiencing ROPES course
bullet Sunrise and/or other hikes
bullet Canoeing

How:
Campers: Applications for campers will be accepted beginning April 5, 2010 - these will be due May 17, 2010

High School Staff: Camp Staff Application 2009 - REQUIRED for Full Consideration- - are due March 8, 2010 to schedule interviews - Two references also required for staff applications - Staff Reference Form - REQUIRED for Full Consideration-

Adult Volunteers: Contact the Local 4-H Club Leader or the 4-H Office at 385-7418.


Costs - TBA

bullet Campers: - $140.00 - includes 5 days and 4 nights, meals and lodging, activities and fun.
bullet Transportation to and from camp NOT included.
bullet Camper Booklet with other Information Camper Booklet 2009

Where: Camp Sylvester
bullet owners/operators: Stanislaus County Farm Bureau
bullet location: Pinecrest, Ca #1 Dodge Ridge Road (30 miles east of Sonora of HWY 108)
bullet elevation: Camp Sylvester is set on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of ~5,000 feet.
bullet buildings: Enclosed cabins, volley ball court, recreation building, showers, campfire area, and more.

A few photos of Camp Sylvester

 




---------------------------------------- History --------------------
*History of Merced County Camping Program

1926 - Two ag Club encampments were held at Wawona, one for boys, and one for girls. (It appears this was the first annual camp). The State (4-H) Leader, County School Nurse and Home Demonstration Agent were present at camp. Ray Hume of Dos Palos was camp director.

1927 - 1928 Annual Club Camp in Yosemite Valley. The Home Department ladies were cooks and meals were served "army style". Excellent cooperation was received from Yosemite Park Service and one feature was that of campfire talks by rangers and nature study hikes by guides. Fee for camp was $3.50 per member.

1929 - Summer Camp was held at Pinecrest (Camp Sylvester was started about this time) The camp session was somewhat disturbed by the weather (rain) and they had to seek shelter in a nearby barn.

1930 - 1955 4-H camp was held at Camp No. 9 in Yosemite Valley (except in 1934 and 1948 due to concerns over Polio)

1956 - 1962 Camp Sylvester was selected as the new camp site as Yosemite no longer allowed group camping. Camp fee was $7.50. Jerry Lundell was hired as camp director for $150.00.

1963 - 1967 A five-year contract was signed to move 4-H Camp to Camp Green Meadows at Fish Camp. Cooking equipment from 4-H used as part of camp start up.

1968 - 2007 Use of Camp Green Meadows became too expensive and 4-H camp was moved back to Camp Sylvester.

2008 - Due to damaged building and uncertain availability of Camp Sylverster a new site, Camp Pacifica, is selected for the 2008 4-H Camp. Because of fire and smoke hazards around Camp Pacifica, a last minute change was made to move camp to the safety of Camp Sylvester.

2009 - Camp Sylvester was chosen again with a new dining facility built to accomodate meal dining.