Caldwell County 4-H Offers Full Lineup of Summer Exploring Opportunities By 4-H Agent Gabby Whorley Caldwell County 4-H is gearing up for an exciting summer, offering a wide variety of hands-on learning experiences through its 2026 Summer Exploring program.
Designed to engage youth across the county, this year’s lineup includes opportunities focused on outdoor recreation, agriculture, science, and creative arts. The summer kicks off in early June with a hike at Price’s Park, giving youth the chance to explore local natural resources while building an appreciation for the outdoors. Other June highlights include a gem-mining trip to Emerald Hollow, an archery camp hosted by the Appalachian Aces, and a multi-day horse camp led by local instructors.
Youth will also have the opportunity to attend West District Activity Day and the popular 4-H Camp Millstone experience. Creative programming continues later in June with Art Camp, where participants will design and complete their own handmade scrapbook. Clubs such as Cooking Club and Fiber Arts will also remain active throughout the month, providing continued engagement for youth already involved in 4-H programming.
July brings an equally diverse schedule of activities. Younger participants can enjoy themed camps like Digging Into Dinosaurs and Cloverbud Art Camp, while older youth can take part in Garden to Fork Camp, where they learn how to grow and prepare their own food. Dog Days of Summer offers hands-on learning focused on animal care, and the Robotics and Rockets program introduces youth to STEM concepts through interactive building and design.
Several county youth will also travel to Raleigh to participate in NC 4-H Congress, a statewide leadership and civic engagement event that brings together 4-H members from across North Carolina.
Caldwell County 4-H is also excited to welcome a summer intern, Joanna Hindman, a current student at North Carolina State University and a local to Caldwell County.
Community members can look forward to learning more about her and her role with 4-H in a future article.
The summer will wrap up with a Junior Leader Celebration, recognizing youth who have taken on leadership roles within the program. There are still a few spots left in select programs. To learn more and sign up, contact Caldwell County 4-H Agent Gabby Whorley at glwhorle@ncsu.edu. Families can also view local 4-H information online at caldwell.ces.ncsu.edu.
Caldwell County 4-H’s Summer Exploring program continues to provide meaningful, research-based educational experiences that help youth build life skills, explore new interests, and connect with their community.
Caldwell County 4-H is a proud member agency of United Way.
