4-H Youth Development

For up-to-date information on 4-H Summer Camp and 4-H Specialty Camp Programs contact Chris Smith, Program Director at cksmith@vt.edu

School & Youth Programs

For up-to-date information on school and other youth programs contact Chris Smith, Program Director at cksmith@vt.edu

For additional information on our 4-H or school programs click here

Adult Programs

The W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake has developed a two tier educational program to meet the needs and interests of not only area adults, but individuals across the country as well. Courses designed for Smith Mountain Lake residents range from Introduction/Intermediate Computers to Wellness and Personal Finance. Programs are offered throughout the year and are publicized in local newspapers and other media outlets.

The 4-H Center has been hosting Elderhostel courses since 1989 and to date we have organized and led over 60 diverse educational experiences utilizing the Center's modern lodging and conference facilities. Elderhostel is America's first -  and the world's largest - education and travel organization dedicated to serving people 55 and older. At the core of each program is an academic component designed to stimulate thinking and increase knowledge, but the real value - which keeps participants coming back year after year - is the opportunity to share these academic, field trips and social experiences with other like minded individuals. At each program it is not unusual to have at least two or three couples/singles who are enjoying the opportunity to meet up again with people they encountered at a previous Elderhostel.

The 4-H Center offers two varied Elderhostel programs - the "regular length" program - six days and five nights - and a "short course" version which covers four days and three nights. Students have come from across the country - from California to Florida - to enjoy and participate in courses such as the following: Great Trials of the 20th Century, Thundering Rails: The History of Railroads in America, Trails Across America, Ghost Stories of Virginia, Comedy in Film and Lewis and Clark. Lake area residents are welcome to attend Elderhostel courses as "commuters" and several have done so in the last few years.

We welcome inquiries concerning our adult education programs and we would be happy to assist you in deciding which courses would match your educational needs and interests. For more information about our Elderhostel courses or Center classes for area residents, please contact Dennis Crowley, Adult Program Coordinator at (540)721-2759 ext. 264 or email dcrowley@vt.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!

Click here for the Spring 2008 Adult Education / Elderhostel Program Calendar