WE Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center
State 4-H Office Virginia Tech
The W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake in Wirtz, Virginia runs Virginia Cooperative Extension's residential 4-H summer camp for youth ages 9–18, with each week hosted for a specific group of counties and registration handled by the local 4-H Extension agent rather than the center. Campers choose from 20–40 classes across a week — kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, swimming, archery, riflery, high ropes, climbing, fishing, golf, small animal science, leathercraft, wilderness survival and more — alongside unstructured recreation, flag ceremonies and evening programmes. The center states a minimum 1:6 staff-to-camper ratio, with two trained camp directors per week and full-time summer staff completing over two weeks of training. Junior specialty camps for ages 9–13 on themes such as robotics or cooking run as short weekend sessions through the year.
Camps
| Camp | Dates | Ages | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-H Camp week: Henry County/Martinsville | May 31 – Jun 4, 2027 | 9–18 | See camp website → | Open |
| 4-H Camp week: Patrick/Pulaski | Jun 7 – Jun 11, 2027 | 9–18 | See camp website → | Open |
| 4-H Camp week: Botetourt/Montgomery | Jun 14 – Jun 18, 2027 | 9–18 | See camp website → | Open |
Availability shown as of Aug 11, 2026.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact State 4-H Office Virginia Tech directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
Camps nearby
Accreditations & licensing
As stated by the camp or listed in the accrediting organization's directory — confirm current status with the accreditor.
Google Reviews
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★★★★The K Green Show4.3 stars Had a family reunion here over a 3 day weekend. Hadn't been to the facility in over 30 years since I attended 4H camp many years ago. Great place for the reunion with plenty of facilities to accommodate the masses both from a lodging standpoint and stuff to do. Food was decent..note to staff-dont be afraid of a little salt. Desserts were excellent. Worth checking out for your next event.
★★★★★Mike WhittOur 4-day knitting retreat at the Skelton 4H Center just ended and we couldn’t have been more pleased with the facilities, meals, staff, and location. Everything went exceptionally smooth. Our experience was so good we’ll be returning in 2026! Mike Whitt Carolina Fiber Retreats & Tours
★★★★Jeb HogeThis is a really good combination of a summer camp, event facility, and conference center. There are adequate large sized spaces for meetings, but there are also great amenities for fun, especially in warmer weather. There are a variety of housing facilities, some of which are more hotel-style and some of which are more lodge or bunkroom styles. I would say don't expect a hotel experience, but private rooms and bathrooms for families are nice to have. The lake views and general scenery are really nice, and there is just a whole lot to do here when you come visit.
★★★★Leslie RueffWe really love this facility for our knitting retreat. The dorm style rooms are simple and functional, the Wi-Fi works well, and the grounds are clean and tidy. The one short coming is the food. It’s extremely basic, but also completely edible. The staff in the kitchen are service-oriented, friendly, and helpful. We enjoy our long weekends here and recommend this facility for group/retreat purposes. I recommend bringing snacks and/or utilizing the kitchens if staying multiple days.
★★★★Robert HedgeGreat location for our Carilion Children's Family Camp each year. Plenty of activities for the kids and parents alike. Fairly well kept with few exceptions. Dining area is clean and easily accessible, as well as handicap accessibility to the pool.