4-H Code Camp | Extension | West Virginia University

Share this

What Is Code Camp?

From smartphone apps and robots to video games and movies, the world runs on code. With software development jobs expected to grow 16% over the next decade, coding is not just fun, it is a Beyond Ready skill.

At 4-H Code Camp, campers don’t just use technology, they learn to make it. They build software in programming languages like Scratch, JavaScript, and Python and explore hardware such as Makey Makey, micro:bit, and Arduino to bring their own ideas to life.

WHO

Youth ages 11 to 18 and in grades 6 through 12

WHEN

Friday, February 20, 2026 - Sunday, February 22, 2026

WHERE

WVU Jackson's Mill

COST

$175

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

Registration Information

Registration will open on December 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and will close on February 2, 2026 at 11:55 p.m. or until classes are filled. Spots are limited for Code Camp. Payment must be made by February 4, 2026. If payment is not made by February 4, 2026, your registration will be canceled and your spot will be given to the next person on the waitlist.

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

External Registration (No ZSuite Account)

View All WV 4-H State Camps

Adult Volunteers

All adult volunteers must be fully vetted through WVU Extension and register for the event through ZSuite, our online registration system. The complete vetting process must be completed at least 15 days in advance of the event. Learn about the volunteer process.

If you are interested in volunteering for this state camp, please contact the Camp Directors.

Refund Policy

Refunds can be requested three weeks prior to the event and will be granted in full.

Refunds can take up to 4 weeks to be processed and will be issued directly on your card. Refunds for check payments will required requesters to register as a vendor with West Virginia University to receive a check payment. Refunds can also be issued in credit towards another state event.

To request a refund, please contact the 4-H Event Coordinator.

Tentative Schedule

Friday

6 p.m. Camper Registration - WV Building
Welcome Assembly and Engineering Design Activity

Saturday

7:30 a.m. Rise and Shine
8 a.m. Breakfast
Morning Assembly
Workshop 1
12:15 p.m. Lunch
WVU Student Group Presentation
Workshop 2
Career Panel
5:30 p.m. Dinner
Campfire Program (Council Circle)
Maker Tech Festival

Sunday

7:30 a.m. Rise and Shine
8 a.m. Breakfast
Sunday Morning Workshops
11 a.m. Closing Assembly
11:30 a.m. Report to Cabins for Parent Pickup

Workshops

Workshops are divided into three categories: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. New coders with little or no computer science experience should not sign up for classes listed as intermediate or advanced. Once participants choose their experience level, they will pick two workshops.

The workshops are broken down into two types (coding and physical computing). Participants should choose one of each. Each workshop has a description and lists any needed background experience. Each workshop has a limited number of participants, and preferences will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.

Camp workshops rotate from year to year. Previous camp workshops have included classes on Web Development, Robotics, Arduino, Scratch Programming, Introduction to Python, App Development, MakeyMakey, Java, C#, 3D printing, and Drones, among others.

Beginner Workshops

Background Needed for Beginner Workshops: Students registering for these beginner workshops need no previous Computer Science experience.

Coding Workshops

Scratch: Youth will learn the basics of coding using a block-based coding language developed by MIT called Scratch (games, music, animation).
HTML/CSS (Web Development): Youth will learn to create web pages using Web Lab, a programming environment created by Code.org where you can make web pages. Participants will code in HTML and CSS using text and then share their web pages with their fellow campers.

Physical Computing Workshops

Makey-Makey and Scratch: Campers will learn how to create musical instruments with a Makey Makey and use computer programs to bring their creations to life in Scratch.
LEGO Robotics: Youth will work in teams to build and program a working robot. Robots will complete an obstacle course and run competitions against other teams.

Intermediate Workshops

Background Needed for Intermediate Workshops: Students who sign up for these workshops are advised that they should have some experience with the basic logic involved with coding, like loops, methods, variables, and functions.

Coding Workshops

Game Lab: Youth will develop video games using JavaScript in GameLab, a programming environment created by Code.org.
Next-Level Scratch: Youth with prior experience using Scratch will explore some of the more advanced concepts of coding in scratch by creating variables and utilizing broadcast capabilities.
AI Lab: Youth will explore artificial intelligence and machine learning through activity modules in Code.org. Participants used JavaScript and AppLab with either blocks or text.

Physical Computing Workshops

Micro:bit: Students will code micro:bit microcontrollers using JavaScript and block-based coding while learning design-based thinking, teamwork, and engineering using cardboard and craft supplies.
Drones: Students will code drones through an obstacle course using blockly coding.
Advanced Robotics: Youth will join small teams to build and program a LEGO robot that complete an obstacle course.

Advanced Workshops

Background Needed for Advanced Workshops: Participants registering for these workshops need to have a firm grasp on the fundamentals of coding, and it is recommended that they have experience with a text-based coding language (i.e., Java, Python, C++, R, JavaScript, etc.)

Coding Workshop

Python: Youth will be introduced to Python text-based programming while creating interactive programs to draw and play games.

Physical Computing Workshop

Arduino: Youth will learn how to build a simple prototyping electronic project using the Arduino microprocessor.

Notes & FAQs

The event registration fee includes two 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.
Meals that are included are Friday evening snacks, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, and Sunday breakfast. Eat dinner before arriving for check-in.
Camp clothing must be comfortable and adaptable to varied weather conditions. Camp clothing needs to be functional…not fashionable.