General Camp Information

Interested in learning more about Five County 4-H Summer Camp? 4-H camp is the place to learn and grow through various different hands-on activities and experiences with the support of counselors and chaperones. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who attend to ensure that they have a positive experience and cannot wait to return the following summer. This page has the information you will need to be ready for Five County 4-H Summer camp this June!

Additional Resources

Camper Packet Items

After we have received your registration and payment for camp, you are officially sign up for camp meaning we are factoring your camper into cabin assignments, group assignments, materials, and for meals. Between the registration closing and the start of camp, we will send out a packet of information and forms that must be returned PRIOR to the start to camp. If you are no longer able to attend camp after registration, please contact the Extension Office immediately to see if we are able to fill the spot. If nobody is able to fill the spot, you are still responsible for the cost to attend. Here is a list of things you can expect to receive and when we need it returned:

Things to Return/ Bring to Camp:

• Youth Behavior Expectation Agreement – This is an agreement that both the camper and their parent/guardian will sign to ensure that the entire camp has a positive camp experience!
• Health Forms (Due Prior to the Start of Camp)- These forms help us to ensure that your camper will have a positive experience at camp and allow us to ensure that your youth receives the care they need. The sooner we get these back, the more prepared our First Aid Coordinator(s) will be to support your camper.
• Health Form Updates and Changes (Bring with you to camp) – This short form provides us with information about any changes to your original health form.
• Get to Know You Sheet – This helps camp staff get to know that campers that they will be working with and help in fostering a safe and welcoming environment for your camper!

Things for you to Keep

• Welcome Letter – This will provide important dates and information around camp like the address, drop off/pick up times, orientation zoom information, meals, and more!
• Camp Packing List – Provides the same information as on the website to help you pack your things for camp!
• 2025 Camp Schedule – This will let you know what to expect ahead of camp! Please go over this ahead of time to start getting excited for all the fun your camper will have! (A schedule will be provided during registration, so no need to bring this one!)
• Camp Map – Provides a map for your camper to see where they are camping and what cabin they are assigned. (May be brought to camp if camper would like.)
• Get to Know your Counselor Sheet – This “Get to Know your Counselor” sheet gives some basic information about your counselor to help introduce them ahead of camp. It would be great to go through this with your camper to get them excited for camp and to meet their counselor!

Camper Orientation Zoom

Back this year, we are offering a camper orientation zoom! This allows us to lay the foundation for our time camp and go over the important reminders. This helps youth to meet the people they will be camping with, get a feel for what camp is like, and answer any questions you or your camper may have! Once families are fully registered and all forms have been received, they will receive an email with the information to join. Camper Orientation will be held the Sunday (June 1st) before camp at 7pm!

Camp Packing List

There are lots of things that campers need to bring in order to have a successful camp experience. Here is a list of the things they need to bring with to camp. Make sure to put the camper’s name on EVERYTHING to ensure nothing gets lost. 4-H is not responsible for any property brought to camp that is lost or damaged during your stay.

The most important things to make sure you pack are: POSITIVE ENERGY!

Clothing:

• Rain Gear (Even if it is not forecasted, it is better to have it and not need it!)
• Tennis Shoes, Hiking Boots, or other closed toe shoes for getting around camp and for archery (Crocs may be acceptable depending on the activity (Extra pairs are recommended in case they get wet
• Sandals for the beach/swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and showers
• Warm Jacket (Evening weather can be chilly!)
• Change of Outer Clothing
  • Shorts/ Skirts/Dresses must be mid-thigh or longer
  • T-Shirts are the best option for camp. General Rule: If you have to ask or are unsure, it’s probably not camp appropriate!
• Change of Inner Clothing
  • No underwear of any kind (including bra-straps) should be showing or visible through clothes)
• Swim Wear
  • See Image below for acceptable swimsuits
• Towel for the Beach

Personal Gear:

• Sleeping Bag
• Pillow
• Additional Blanket (Might be cold at night)
• Towel for showering
• Toiletries/ Personal Hygiene Items
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Body Wash/ Bar of Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
• Medications (Must be in original container with patient’s name (if prescription) labeled, and given to first aid coordinator on arrival)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses/Hat
• Insect Repellent
• Flashlight w/ Batteries

Items that are prohibited from camp:

• Cellphones (See our cell phone policy below!)
• Alcohol or Drugs
• Firearms and explosives
• Candy, Chewing Gum, or any other food/snacks (Meals are provided by camp)
• Electronic Games
• Money

Cellphone Policy

As a means of risk management, campers may not possess cell phones* during 4-H camp. Campers shall not use cell phones (as alarms, music players, cameras, etc.) in their cabins or at Camp Lakota at any time. If a participant is found to have a cell phone while at camp, the phone will be kept secure in the camp office until the end of camp.   

*Camp Program Directors also have discretion for prohibiting other internet-enabled devices at their 4-H camps. 

MESSAGE TO PARENTS: 

As a means of risk management, campers may not possess cell phones* during 4-H camp. Campers shall not use cell phones (as alarms, music players, cameras, etc.) in their cabins or at Camp Lakota at any time. If a participant is found to have a cell phone while at camp, the phone will be kept secure in the camp office until the end of camp.   

*Camp Program Directors also have discretion for prohibiting other internet-enabled devices at their 4-H camps.

We know in this high-tech era that it’s difficult for youth to not be in constant contact with their families and friends via social media, texting, or calls. However, camp is a unique experience. The camp experience helps youth develop life skills including independence and self-reliance. Among the concerns that make bringing and using cell phones and other communication devices inappropriate at camp are:

• Concern that such expensive devices will be lost, damaged, or stolen. UW-Madison Extension, camp, and staff cannot accept responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged items at camp.
• Inappropriate use of photo and video devices. We know that the ease of uploading inappropriate photos and videos is a concern. Cyber bullying is not permitted before, during, or after camp. 

In addition, youth contact with home if they are suffering a temporary spate of homesickness at camp may cause the condition to worsen. We fully appreciate and respect the positive relationships our campers have with their families, but if they are to benefit fully from the camp experience, they must be encouraged to develop the skills of independence and self-reliance. If there is an emergency, or if we are concerned about the youth’s well-being, we will contact the parents or guardians immediately. Campers are constantly in the company of other campers, and counselors while at camp, and our camp is staffed with many caring adults, including an experienced camp nurse. Thank you for your cooperation with our electronics policy. 

Map of Camp Lakotah

Check out a map of Camp Lakotah to see how to get around ahead of camp!

2024 Camp Schedule

At Five County 4-H Summer Camp, we create groups of youth based on their grade/age help every try a new activity and to provide the youth with the counselors/ chaperones that are best able to support their campers. Last year, we used the letters in “SPARK” to create our groups that will show up on the schedule. We also have two rotations of sessions for campers to explore a new spark every day. Rotation 1 consists of Sessions 1-5 and included Swimming, Archery, Crafts/First Aid Service Learning, Gaga Ball/ Orienteering, and Fire Building/Frisbee Golf. Rotation 2 consisted of Sessions 6-10 and included Canoeing/Kayaking, Build a Boat, Fishing, Team Building, and Swimming. For our Evening Activity, we divided Base Camp into three (3) larger groups to rotate through campfire, game room, and an Olympic event!

*Notice: We have a full camp schedule that might be some late nights and early mornings for some campers, so make sure they are well-rested on arrival and anticipate some tired campers at pick up. We do our best to help support our campers by supporting wake up, lights out, and throughout the day to ensure they get the rest they need.

2024 Camp Flyer

Contact Information

Brandon Springer

Green Lake County 4-H Program Educator

Email: brandon.springer@wisc.edu

Office Phone: 920-294-4035

Cell Phone: 920-229-4295

Prior to OR After: For questions, comments, concerns, or anything else that you need prior to or following camp, please use the office phone or email. The Green Lake County Extension Office is open 8am-4:30pm Monday- Friday. Availability during that time may vary due to programming.

During Camp: Please understand that due to the nature of the camp program, it is requested that any non-urgent information be sent over email or text (Cellphone Only) to prevent interrupting the flow of programming. If there is an urgent need to contact camp, please call the cell phone listed above.

Inclement Weather/ Other Emergencies: We work hard on planning Five County 4-H Summer Camp, which includes planning for inclement weather or other emergencies that may occur at camp. During these times, we need staff to be present to help ensure that youth and adults are safe, calm, and supported. In order to be present, we request that you wait for staff to contact you to provide an update regarding anything that may happen at camp.