RALEIGH (AP) — Four of North Carolina’s six 4-H camps will close at the end of the year because there is not enough money to keep them open.
State 4-H Director Marshall Stewart said the camps have been struggling financially for years. The 4-H educational and youth development centers spread across the state are supported by fee revenue collected from campers and community groups.
The camps set to close are Swannanoa in Buncombe County, Sertoma in Stokes County, Betsy-Jeff Penn in Rockingham County and Anita-Alta in Caldwell County. Swannanoa is the state’s oldest 4-H camp and opened in the 1920s. The camps serve about 9,000 children a year.
Stewart said after downsizing operations the state’s 4-H program intends to focus on retaining high-quality offerings at the remaining facilities.