Alpha II | Extension | West Virginia University

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What is Alpha II Camp?

Group of campers posing for a photo outside

Alpha II is a statewide week-long summer camp held at WVU Jackson's Mill and is open to any youth aged 12-21.

Campers participate in week long workshops; build teamwork and leadership skills within small age-specific peer groups; engage with guest speakers during hand-on assemblies; experience array of opportunities to develop and master new skills; as well as learn lifelong habits for a healthier life.

WHO

West Virginia youth ages 12 to 21 as of June 30, 2026

WHEN

Sunday, July 12, 2026 - Friday, July 17, 2026

WHERE

WVU Jackson's Mill

COST

$425

SCHOLARSHIPS

Campers will be eligible for one (1) weekend and one (1) week-long state supported campership within the calendar year (Jan-Dec). Campers who request additional state supported scholarship money will have their request held as pending until all other first-time requests are reviewed.

Additional camperships will be granted on a case by case basis as funding is available. For more information and frequently asked questions about our State Camperships, tap the button below!

State Campership FAQs

Camp Details

Registration Information
Workshop Information
Notes and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Camp Directors

Registration Information

Registration will open on April 20, 2026 at 10 a.m. and will close on June 23, 2026 at 11:55 p.m. Payment must be made by 10 a.m. on June 23, 2026. If payment is not received by 10 a.m. on June 25, 2026, your registration will be canceled, and your spot will be given to the next person on the waitlist. Refunds can be requested until June 26, 2025.

Refunds can be requested after the payment deadline but will incur a $200.00 processing fee and granted on a case by case basis. View full refund policy below.

Registration will be handled through the 4-H ZSuite Online System.

External Registration (No ZSuite Account)

View All WVU 4-H State Camps

Workshop Information

Air rifle - Learn basic gun safety while increasing accuracy and having a blast. We will play tic tac toe and battleship!
Appalachian Music & Dance Heritage - This workshop will introduce campers to Appalachian music and dance. We'll cover the history of these art forms in the region, and introduce campers to the basics of old-time instrumentation and tunes, square dance calling, flatfooting, singing, and other traditional art forms in the region.
Archery - Learn the basic fundamentals of archery!
Around the World on a Plate - Food is one of the most universal gateways into understanding the world. This interactive workshop explores how gastronomy and culinary traditions can serve as powerful tools for cultural awareness and global understanding.
Baker's Dozen -Breadmaking is a tradition as old as the hills. Following family recipes, campers will learn how to make quick breads that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a bedtime snack.
Board Games! - Come play some old classics or learn new board games or bring games to share.
Chorus - Come learn and have some fun preparing a song to sing for the camp each day at assembly! Also learn and lead the camp in the camp song (clap, clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap clap)!
Corn to Cornbread -From start to finish, grind the corn, make the cornmeal, and enjoy a feast. .
Cross Stitch Name Tags -Learn how to cross stitch and make a name tag
Diamond Painting -There will be diamond painting kits at camp but you can bring your own to complete if you would like. Diamond painting is done by placing diamonds on or a couple at a time to create an image.
Disease Detectives - Unlock DNAs secret power to battle pathogenic villains and save the world's food supply with lab challenges
DJ'ing 101 - Join us for DJ'ing 101, an exciting, hands-on workshop where you'll learn the basics of mixing music, beatmatching, and rocking a crowd! Whether you're brand new or already have some skills, this session will introduce you to DJ equipment, software, and techniques used by professionals. Led by an experienced DJ, you'll get to practice creating your own mix, explore different genres, and gain confidence behind the decks.
Enchanted STEM Adventures - Step into a world where imagination meets invention! This week you will explore science, technology, engineering, and math through magical adventures inspired by classic stories. You'll design and build bridges strong enough for trolls, create protective structures for the Three Little Pigs, experiment with potions and chemical reactions, and solve engineering challenges fit for princes and princesses. Along the way, you will develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork”all while bringing favorite fairy tales to life in exciting new ways.
Folk Dancing - Learn the basics of WV Folk Dances!
Just for the Health of It -Just for the Health of It teaches hands on leadership skills while exploring important health topics like mental wellness, healthy eating, substance misuse awareness, and more.
Lego Building;- Building with Legos- Do you enjoy building objects and love Legos? Then this workshop is for you! Build new objects everyday by drawing a prompt or bring your own idea to life! There's never a bad idea when it comes to Legos!
Line Dancing - Learn basic line dances.
Nature Walks: Exploring Creeks and TrailsGrab your hiking boots and explore some rarely seen parts of Jackson's Mill. Campers will take a deep dive into the nature that surrounds the camp, but is often overlooked. Along the way, campers will discuss local ecology and remove litter.
Outdoor Adventure - The Outdoor Adventure Class allows campers to explore the outdoors and learn about what makes it great. Guided by the philosophy that the outdoors is for everyone, you just need to find what that is for you, this class offers a variety of options for campers to choose from, including paddle sports, biking, outdoor cooking, challenge course, climbing, and more.
Photography - Taking pictures. Tips and tricks to taking better pictures.
Royal proclamation 101 -Public speaking and presentation- Gives campers to chance to create a presentation to give in front of the class.
Science Adventure -Climb, ride, and discover your way through adventure activities and the science behind what makes it all work.
String Art Ballroom dancing of Scotland.
Sport-A-Day - Allowing the youth participate in various sports throughout the week.
STEM Lab: West Fork Bio Survey - Explore the ecological health of the West Fork River as it flows through camp with WV Save Our Streams! In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to assess water quality by collecting and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs), analyzing physiochemical conditions, and calculating a biological integrity score. These techniques provide insight into stream health and ecosystem balance. Whether you're a citizen scientist or simply curious about freshwater conservation, this session will equip you with the skills to monitor and protect our waterways.
String Art - Create decorative wall hangings using wood, nails, and string.
Techno Lab - Campers will explore technology in the Annette S. Boggs STEAM Education Center, unleashing their creativity with 3D printers, laser cutters, and micro-controllers in hands-on projects.
Teen Cuisine - Participants will actively engage in food preparation while learning about nutrition, food safety, and health.
Wood Burning - Wood Burning. Create art with heat.

Notes & FAQs

The event registration fee includes five nights of lodging, meals during the event, and event equipment/supplies.
Youth participants sleep in cabins with bunk-style twin beds. Participants are clustered with other youth of the same age and gender. The cabins are supervised by trained and vetted 4-H volunteers and Extension professionals.
The cabins will be stocked with bed linens (sheets, pillows, and blankets). You do not need to bring bed linens. You are welcome to bring your own linens, sleeping bag, blankets, etc. You will need to bring your own toiletries and a bath towel.
Camp clothing must be comfortable and adaptable to varied weather conditions. Camp clothing needs to be functional…not fashionable.
Refund Policy: Refunds can be requested until June 25, 2026. If a refund is requested on or before June 25, 2025 it will not incur a processing fee and requesters will receive a full refund. Refunds may be requested after the payment deadline but will incur a $200.00 processing fee which will be withheld from the refund and granted on a case by case basis. This processing fee is to account for meal and supply purchases which cannot be reconciled after the payment deadline. Refunds can take up to 10 weeks to be processed. Refunds for check payments will be required to register as a vendor with West Virginia University to receive a check payment. Refunds can also be issued as credit towards another state event.