Trip Planner

Promotional Presentation

“Wahsega is the perfect field study! The setting is beautiful, the staff is extremely competent, and the lessons are closely correlated to our learning objectives.”

— Lana Kleimon
Fifth Grade Teacher, Tritt Elementary School

“… an exceptional environmental education program…. Their highly qualified instructors provide a hands-on, learning-based environmental science curriculum that motivates and challenges students. Their curriculum enhances the new Georgia Performance Standards for science.”

— Laura Hoeve
Sixth Grade Teacher, Whitewater Middle School

Book your preferred dates

Making your reservation will involve several steps which are outlined below. Once these are completed we will send you a contract via U.S. mail.

PICK A SEASON TO ATTEND

• Early fall (late August to mid-October): Planning the trip helps teachers and parents establish a great rapport early in the year. The weather is still warm, so class time in the creek during stream ecology is refreshing.
• Late fall (mid-October through mid-November): Leaves are changing and it can be cold. Be sure to book early for late fall sessions as this is a popular time of the year.
• Early spring (early March through mid-April): The weather is unpredictable, so be prepared for either near freezing temperatures or very warm days. Teachers know their students well by this time and know what to expect from them.
• Late spring (mid-April through late May): The weather is warmer than in the early spring or late fall. It gets dark later in the evening so some evening classes are better choices than others.

CHOOSE A PROGRAM PACKAGE OPTION
Wahsega offers 3-day, 2-day and 1-day program package options. Customized variations of the program packages are available.

PICK A SESSION DURING THE WEEK
There are three 3-day/2-night sessions each week. 1) Monday at 1:30 to Wednesday at 12:30, 2) Wednesday at 1:30 to Friday at 12:30, 3) Friday at 1:30 to Sunday at 12:30. Please do not plan to arrive early if your orientation is at 2:00 p.m. Early arrival is not an option; however, local parks may be used for a picnic lunch.

ESTIMATE ATTENDANCE COSTS
The fee per person varies according to the length of the field study. See the “How to Book Your Group” section of our website for current rate information. Attendance fees are charged to every youth and every adult in attendance including teachers, parents and chaperones.

CONTACT WAHSEGA’S PROGRAM COORDINATOR
You can reach our Program Coordinator at 706-864-2050 or through email at wahsega@uga.edu.

MAKE RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE
We make reservations in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. You may book for the next year before attending programs this year.

You can book your field study by:

• Filling out our online form; or
• Emailing our Program Coordinator at wahsega@uga.edu; or
• Calling our office at 706-864-2050.

Make transportation arrangements

Both school buses and tour buses can handle the gravel road leading to Wahsega. Make sure that your bus driver does not use a GPS device, Google Maps or any other electronic or online system to find us because you will most likely get lost. Please use our maps and directions instead.

Publicize and host a parent meeting and recruit chaperones

Use this meeting to generate interest in the trip and to recruit chaperones. We highly recommend using this PowerPoint presentation to give parents a better understanding of the unique experience a Wahsega field study offers. The photos will generate support for the experience and motivate adults to volunteer as chaperones.

Collect permission slips, paperwork and money

We do not require a copy of your students’ permission slips or any other paperwork that your school requires.

Get a check cut for the deposit

We ask for a deposit of $300 or $1 per person expected to attend your field study, whichever is greater.

Complete the Class Selection Worksheet

Well before your field study, our Program Coordinator will contact you to set up a schedule. You must choose the classes for your students. Please complete the appropriate Class Selection form for the program in which you are interested and submit it online.

When more than one school is on center, we often have the same class being taught at several locations. Because the number of locations to teach certain classes is limited, the first group to contact us with their class selections will receive priority over other groups asking for the same classes. Due to scheduling conflicts with other schools, we reserve the right to refuse last minute schedule changes.

• 3-day/ 2-night class selections

• 2-day/1-night class selections:

• 1-day class selections

Read, sign and return the contract and deposit

We will send out a contract by U.S. mail after you call to make reservations. To secure the dates you want, within 90 days of receiving the contract, return to our office a signed copy of the contract and a non-refundable deposit.
Note: Reservations are not secured until the signed contract and deposit are received in our office.

CANCELLATION POLICY
No fee will be assessed for the first 10% drop from your original numbers or for cancellations when you notify us 120 days (4 months) or more before the field study. Notification of cancellations of 10% or more of your original numbers, including a complete cancellation of the trip, between 120 and 60 days before the scheduled trip will result in a $10 charge per person; less than 60 days is a $25 per person charge.

Make plans for classes taught by teachers or chaperones from your school

While we make the facilities available, our staff does not teach every class. Adults from the school teach one day class during each of the 6 rotations and the two evening class rotations on the second night of your visit, during a typical 3-day/2-night session. See the class descriptions for more information.

You may either choose to create lesson plans and lead a class of your own design during these times or use the Wahsega curriculum. Feel free to request the curricula for the classes you want to teach. The Program Coordinator can assist you in making the class selections best suited for your grade level.

 cabin ASSIGNMENTS, learning groups, KP, and cleanup duties

MAKE CABIN ASSIGNMENTS
Divide the students among the cabins assigned to your group.  You will receive an email from our Program Coordinator providing this information.  Children and adults should be segregated by gender regardless of the age of the children. Be sure to put at least one chaperone in each cabin.

 Each cabin has two electric heaters and a window air conditioning unit, pack as though you are going glamping. Cabins do not have bathrooms, instead Wahsega has a girls and a boys bathhouse.

MAKE LEARNING GROUP ASSIGNMENTS
We will let you know how many learning groups we have calculated that your school needs based on the estimated attendance numbers. We will assign learning group names such as squirrel, bear, and snakes.  Please use the names assigned to you. Other systems, such as colors, numbers or teachers’ names cause confusion.

Divide students among the learning groups as evenly as possible. Learning groups of significantly different sizes are not allowed as they tend to cause friction among the groups and detract from the experience.
Note: Please assign students to learning groups before arrival.

As many as 25 students may be assigned to a group. However, in order to provide the best possible experience, we attempt to keep the student/instructor ratio below 25 to 1.

MAKE KITCHEN PATROL (KP) ASSIGNMENTS
Some youth help set tables before a meal and clean up after the meal. This is called KP. Assign youth to KP duty before arrival. Typically, youth are assigned KP on a rotation basis so that most students only serve KP for one meal, if any. When the KP bell rings, it is important that students and chaperones report to the dining hall.

The lead teacher of the school assigns KP duties.

Please communicate with the Program Coordinator to make sure that KP is assigned correctly. The number of students assigned to KP for a meal should equal about 10% of your total group numbers. For a 3-day program, there are usually 6 meals that have to be covered.

Adults are integral to KP.
At least two chaperones should accompany the youth to the dining hall when KP starts. We need adults to serve as role models who help the youth as well as keep them focused on the job. Our staff will provide direction and instructions, but they are not responsible for discipline.

MAKE BATHHOUSE CLEANUP DUTY ASSIGNMENTS
The visiting schools should keep the bathhouses tidy and clean. Encourage students to be considerate of other schools and remind them to take all of their personal belongings back to their cabins. We do not provide housekeeping services to clean the bathhouses during your visit.

On the day of departure, youth and chaperones assigned by the lead teacher will clean the bathhouses at 10:30. Before they may leave the bathhouses, an inspection will be performed by Wahsega’s staff. If the bathhouse is sufficiently clean, it will be locked. Public restrooms in the Canteen building will remain available.

Students from all schools will need to be assigned to bathhouse cleanup duty for eight students at each bathhouse. One adult from each school will need to accompany their students assigned to bathhouse cleanup.
Note: Adults from each school must be assigned to supervise cleanup. Wahsega staff members will be present to provide cleaning supplies and give direction to students assigned to clean the bathhouse.

MAKE CAMP CLEANUP DUTY ASSIGNMENTS
Please assign a small group of students and an adult (10-15 people) to camp cleanup duty. At 10:30 am on departure day, this group will meet at the basketball court to be directed by our staff in grounds cleanup.

Make nametags and duty assignments

Nametags are optional but they are very helpful to our staff, so we encourage you to use them.  Here are some templates:

Adult Assignment Sheet w/o Duties

Adult Assignment Sheet With Duties

Nametags

Make requests for special services

Some groups need to customize their experience. Please talk to our Program Coordinator to set up times for religious services, special meal times, services for people with special needs and specific meeting places for events. See dietary restrictions.

Four blankets are provided in the cabins in case someone needs one. A few additional blankets are available in the Canteen Building in a cabinet in the First Aid Station. Please request linen service well in advance if you require blankets for all members of your group.

Designate an emergency Home Contact Person

See Emergencies and First Aid for more information about this concept.

Plan and host a chaperone orientation meeting

See Guidelines for Chaperones for more information.

Plan to have a check cut for the remainder of your fees

Please bring a check with you to cover the balance of your field study based on your most up-to-date count of participants. If an unforeseen absence causes you to overpay, you will receive a refund for the difference within 60 days of your field study. If an unforeseen addition causes your payment to be short we will print an invoice for you for the amount due.

Notify Wahsega of any dietary restrictions

Our Food Service Manager, Amanda Smallwood, is an experienced food service provider and can accommodate any special dietary needs your group has. We cook special meals for vegetarians, persons with food allergies or those who observe religious dietary restrictions.

• Please be aware that our products, prepared items, and cooking facilities may contain or may have had contact with the following food items: fish, eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, sesame, tree nuts and shellfish. We understand that food allergies are a daily concern for many. Our staff are allergen aware and prepared to assist you.
• Please allow us  to work with you to create a meal plan to help accommodate your individual dietary needs.  The Wahsega Dining Hall can be reached at 706-867-2905.
• We will accommodate your dietary needs to the best of our ability during your stay. However, we realize that those with highly restrictive diets may prefer to bring their own food and/or snacks as our options and variety may be limited. For those who would like to bring their own food items, we do have food storage, refrigerator and freezer dedicated to serving this purpose.
• Our FS staff are trained in food safety and are allergen aware
• Please ask if we maintain allergen friendly food preparation areas in our kitchen(s)

Please complete and submit the dietary restrictions form online detailing your group’s specific needs.

Dietary Restrictions Form

Note: We need to be notified as early as possible about special diets and not less than 2 weeks in advance of your visit.

Contact us if attendance numbers change

BRINGING MORE STUDENTS OR ADULTS
Additions to your reservation numbers may be possible. Call us to see if we can accommodate any students who are on your waiting list.
Note: Due to fire safety regulations, we cannot overfill cabins. Do not plan to lodge more individuals per cabin than specified above in ‘Assign Students to Cabin…’ section.

CABIN ASSIGNMENTS MAY CHANGE
We may reduce the number of cabins assigned if attendance is lower than originally estimated.

Please do not arrive earlier than scheduled or depart later than scheduled

With several groups and programs onsite, this can pose a significant problem. Look for information under ‘Important Notes for Teachers’ on the use of Dahlonega’s parks for a picnic lunch before your arrival time.

Please have a completed Attendance Registration Form and your payment ready upon arrival

Please provide us with attendance numbers using the Attendance Registration Form. Present the form along with a check in our office upon arrival. Attendance Numbers Form.

First Aid Station

24-HOUR SERVICE
Wahsega does not provide a nurse on center. Minor incidents can be treated in our First Aid Station 24 hours a day. It is at the end of the hall in the Canteen building.

SUPPLIES
We are only allowed to stock Ace bandages, band-aids, water, soap and ice packs. We are not authorized to stock or dispense other supplies or medications.

INCIDENT REPORT FORM
If you provide first aid, please complete our Incident Report Form located on a clipboard in the First Aid Station.

MEDICATION
Medication should be left in the care of an adult. Refrigerators are available in our First Aid Station and Pavilion 4 for medication that needs to be refrigerated.

On-center Emergencies

HOSPITAL VISITS 
We will help you obtain emergency medical treatment for students if necessary at the hospital in Dahlonega.

PERMISSION SLIPS 
Be sure to bring the proper paperwork with you to Wahsega when you come. Our office does not collect permission slips for each child.

INSURANCE
Wahsega is not responsible for your group’s medical insurance. Inexpensive insurance is available through your local Cooperative Extension office if desired.

TRANSPORTATION
We strongly recommend that an adult drive a vehicle to Wahsega that can be used in an emergency.

RESPONDING TO WEATHER OR OTHER EMERGENCIES 
If we need to evacuate the 4-H center, or respond in some other way to an emergency, officials from the 911 Center will advise us. Lumpkin County Emergency Services has a County Emergency Operations Plan to provide services to residents, tourists and residential education facilities like Wahsega.

Home Contact Person

It may be wise to designate someone not on the trip as a Home Contact person. Leave emergency contact information with this person. Let the school know who they are and distribute their phone number in a letter sent to parents. In an emergency, your Home Contact Person can call Wahsega’s office number during office hours. After office hours, the contact person can call the Lumpkin County 911 Center. Either the 911 dispatcher will attempt to contact us from a list of contact numbers we have on file or they will dispatch a sheriff’s deputy to drive to Wahsega to find us and deliver the message.

• Wahsega 4-H Center Office – 706-864-2050
• Lumpkin County 911 Center – 706-864-3633

When necessary, a Home Contact person can also relay messages from you while you are here to the proper individuals at home if you are having trouble contacting them. In addition, if the school office is closed, bus breakdowns or other problems can be communicated through a Home Contact person.

Day Class Descriptions

GSE Correlation Guides
Classes are matched to the GSE by grade level. This means that the major concepts taught in a class
are determined by GSE requirements. The concepts we teach are listed in the Wahsega GSE
Correlation Guides below. There may be numerous indirect relationships in a class to many concepts
covered by the GSE; however, these indirect concepts are not listed.

Kindergarten-2nd Grades
3rd-5th Grades
6th-8th Grades

Bus Driver Information Form

This form may be used to provide bus drivers with essential information.

Class Selection Forms

Well before your field study, our Program Coordinator, will contact you to set up a schedule. You must choose the classes for your students. Please select the appropriate link below, fill out the form, and submit it online. Class selection forms should only be filled out after reservations have been made.

1-Day Field Study Class Selection Form

2-Day Field Study Class Selections Form

3-Day Field Study Class Selections Form

Custom Field Study Class Selection Form

Dietary Restrictions

Please fill out the dietary restrictions and submit it online.

ES-237 Attendance Registration Data

Complete the Attendance Registration and ES-237 Data form before arrival and present it along with your payment at the office when you register. This form must be completed in order to pay attendance fees and register your group. Unlike the above forms, this form is to be printed off, not submitted online.

Chaperones

Each learning group needs at least one chaperone. Our staff will not teach a group that does not have a chaperone present. Cabins will need to be chaperoned by members of your group as well. Wahsega does not provide cabin counselors.

Phones

Phones for adults to use are in Pavilion 4 and the First Aid Station. A phone is not available for students. Cell phones will not work at Wahsega due to our extremely remote location. Plan to use a calling card to call long-distance. We sell calling cards at our cost for $6 (60 minutes). Please don’t request to use an office phone except in an emergency.

Computers

Access to our office computers is not available. Wireless access over WiFi is available near the office building for iPhones, iPods and lap top computers.

Nametags

Most school groups choose to give their students nametags to wear. Wahsega does not provide nametags and does not require them.

Rules

Please enforce the rules for students listed on page 20. Lights out is 11:00 p.m. You may want to impose a few other rules or remind students of your school’s rules.

Carpooling

Parking is limited, so please encourage carpooling if your group is not using buses.

Damage Fees

A schedule of damage fees is posted in each cabin. The fees for damages, if any, will be assessed on the last day of your visit and billed to the school.

Use of the parks in Dahlonega

ABOUT THE PARKS

Because schools may not arrive early, some teachers like to go to a park in Dahlonega for a picnic lunch before arrival.

• The DAHLONEGA CITY PARK is suitable for a small group. It has a small restroom, four or five covered picnic tables and playground equipment. There is adequate parking for a bus or two but not extensive parking. Reservations are required but usage is free. You must call ahead to reserve the Dahlonega City Park for your group. Call the Dahlonega City Hall at 706-864-6133.
• YAHOOLA CREEK PARK is also available. It is a large park with pavilions, trails, picnic tables and plenty of parking. It is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day. No reservations are required but the pavilions are provided on a first come first served basis unless a $15.00 fee is paid to reserve the pavilion. Call the Lumpkin County Parks and Recreation Department at 706-864-3622 to make reservations for the Yahoola Creek Park.

DIRECTIONS TO THE PARKS
Going north on Georgia 400, turn left where 400 ends, this is GA 60 North. It goes directly to Dahlonega. Near Dahlonega, there is a Shell station on the right at the top of a hill. Chestatee Regional Hospital and McDonalds are on the left down the hill from the Shell station.

• To DAHLONEGA CITY PARK: At the stoplight at the bottom of the hill, turn right onto U.S. 19 & GA 60. Go less than a mile. Turn right onto Riley Rd. The ball field is on the left. Follow Riley road around and behind the field. City Hall is directly ahead and the Park and Recreation building will be on the left. Proceed to City Hall. The public park area is on the right as you face City Hall.
• To YAHOOLA CREEK PARK: At the stoplight at the bottom of the hill, turn right onto U.S. 19 & GA 60. Go less than a mile. Pass Riley Road and take the next left onto Mechanicsville Road. The park is about a mile down and the road dead ends at the park, so you can’t miss it.

Accessibility

If anyone in the group has special needs, we recommend that the group leader visit Wahsega ahead of time to determine if we can meet their needs.

Custom field study schedules

We can provide more or fewer meals or classes in your schedule to fit your students’ needs more closely. There is no premium fee for this service. Call us for a quote.

Exclusive use option

Exclusive use of the center during a 4-H Environmental Education field study is available. A premium conference fee is assessed for groups that request this service. Call for an exact quote.

Religious services

We will work with you to schedule times and provide facilities to accommodate religious practice or events. To avoid scheduling conflicts with other groups, mention these needs to the Program Coordinator when you make class selections.

Guidelines for Chaperones

At least one chaperone stays with each learning group and is present in classes at all times.
Our staff will not teach a class without a chaperone present. If there are several chaperones assigned to a learning group, please keep conversations at the back of class to a minimum.

At least one chaperone is required per cabin.

Enforce our rules and any rules the school has in place.
See Wahsega’s rules.

Assist children with first aid and emergencies.
The First Aid Station is located in the Canteen building. A nurse is not on duty. We ask that chaperones help children with first aid needs. Feel free to use our supplies. Please log treatment provided on the clipboard on the counter in the First Aid Station. In an emergency, dial 9-911.

Supervise the students during free time.

Assist with KP, bathhouse cleanup and camp cleanup.
Wahsega staff will direct these duties, but chaperones are required to be present and assist.

Make sure that students clean their cabins and pass inspection before checkout.
Cabin cleanup takes place on the morning of your departure. Cabins should be clean and empty. They will be locked up before breakfast that morning by our staff that comes by to inspect. There is a list of cleanup tasks in each cabin. It is helpful to have the students pack up the night before.

Be positive.
Students will adopt your attitude.

Cell phones won’t work at Wahsega.
Cell phone service is unavailable at Wahsega because we are in an extremely remote location. We offer the use of two landlines, which you have access to 24 hours a day. These phones are located in the First Aid Station and in the Pavilion 4 kitchen area. Dial 9 to get an outside line. We are not in the Atlanta Metro local calling area, so you’ll need to call collect or use a calling card for most calls. We sell calling cards from either our office or the Canteen store. WiFi enabled cell phones are able to get internet access in an area near the office.

Coffee is available at all times.
At the dining hall entrance, there is a coffeemaker that chaperones may use at any time to brew coffee. Directions and supplies are provided. Be eco-friendly by bringing along your own travel coffee mug. Students are not allowed to have coffee.

Please carpool.
If your group is traveling in personal vehicles rather than buses, please make plans to travel in fewer cars if possible. There is limited parking at Wahsega.

What to pack

• Sleeping bag or twin sheets & pillow (No linens or pillows provided)
• Towels & washcloths
• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
• Bag or basket to carry supplies from the cabin to the bathhouse
• Daily change of clothing (Some days you may need two)
• Old shirts & jeans (for ropes courses)
• Jacket or sweatshirt (for cool mornings and nights)
• Rain gear (classes continue regardless of the weather)
• Shoes (Some to keep dry and some that can get wet):
  Note: Wearing wet socks, shoes or sandals all day causes blisters.
• Sun block
• Plastic garbage bags marked with the owner’s name (for wet clothes)
• Water bottle
  Note: Label clothing and personal items.

What not to pack

• Chewing gum
• Flip-flops or any sandals without a heel strap (except for showering)
• New or nice clothing
• Electronics, cell phones, iPods, etc.
• Skate boards, roller blades, bicycles, etc.
• Other items of high value
  Note: Wahsega 4-H Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Food Service

• Please be aware that our products, prepared items, and cooking facilities may contain or may have had contact with the following food items: fish, eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, sesame, tree nuts and shellfish. We understand that food allergies are a daily concern for many. Our staff are allergen aware and prepared to assist you.
• Please allow us  to work with you to create a meal plan to help accommodate your individual dietary needs.  The Wahsega Dining Hall can be reached at 706-867-2905.
• We will accommodate your dietary needs to the best of our ability during your stay. However, we realize that those with highly restrictive diets may prefer to bring their own food and/or snacks as our options and variety may be limited. For those who would like to bring their own food items, we do have food storage, refrigerator and freezer dedicated to serving this purpose.
• Our FS staff are trained in food safety and are allergen aware
• Please ask if we maintain allergen friendly food preparation areas in our kitchen(s)

No housekeeping service

CLEANLINESS IS THE STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITY
There is no cleaning service for the bathhouses or cabins. It is the responsibility of the students to keep bathhouses and cabins clean.

KEEP UP WITH YOUR OWN BELONGINGS
You will share the bathhouses with other schools. Please be considerate of them and keep the bathhouses clean. Each time you leave the bathhouse, carry your own dirty or wet clothes and towels as well as soap, shampoo and other toiletries with you.

Bring old clothes & shoes

Bring old clothes and shoes that can get dirty and old shoes that can get wet while in Stream Ecology class.

Do not plan to wear sandals without a heel strap

Sandals without heel straps are not allowed. To prevent injury, you must wear shoes that will stay on your feet.

Bring a pillow & sleeping bag or twin size sheets & covers

Pillows, sheets and blankets are not provided for guests. Bring a pillow and sleeping bag or twin sheets and adequate covers for the bunk beds.  Each cabin has two electric heaters, but warm bedding is encouraged especially in early spring and late fall.  

Remember toiletries

Towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and other toiletries are not provided. Some of these products may be available for purchase in the Canteen.

Money for souvenirs from the Canteen store

We sell a selection of souvenirs, clothing and snacks in the Canteen. Soft drinks are available in vending machines on the outside of the Canteen building.

About our First Aid Station

Wahsega’s First Aid Station is on the right at the end of the hall in the Canteen Building. It has Ace bandages, band-aids, water and soap. Also, some pain and allergy medications are available. A nurse is not on duty. We will help teachers get emergency medical treatment at the hospital in Dahlonega if necessary.

Medication

If a child is taking any medication, the medication must be left with a teacher who will oversee its use. Refrigerated medication may be kept in a refrigerator in our First Aid Station or in the Pavilion 4 kitchen.

Rules

We have one rule at Wahsega:
RESPECT your T.O.E.S.

Teachers

• The teachers and chaperones
• The EE instructors
• All Adults

Others

• Friends and classmates as well as students and adults from other schools or adults on Wahsega’s staff
• Turtles living in Turtle-topia, water snakes living alongside the creek, other living creatures

Environment

• Youth are responsible for cleaning up after themselves
• No food in cabins
• Throw away trash and recycle bottles
• Stay out of the stream and pond
• No throwing rocks
• No chewing gum
• Personal belongings need to be taken with you when you leave the bathhouse

Self

• Wear good shoes around camp – no flip flops.
• Wash your hands before a meal in the bathhouse or Canteen restroom.
• Adult supervision is needed on hiking trails, at the waterfall deck, or when going off center.

Anyone who has questions or concerns about the protection of minors involved in UGA programs/activities can contact  Wahsega 4-H Center Program Coordinator, wahsega@uga.edu, 706-864-2050.

Additional contacts include the Wahsega 4-H Center Director, David Weber, dweber@uga.edu, 706-864-2050,  and/or UGA’s Director of Compliance for Programs and Activities Serving Minors at programsforminors@uga.edu or 706-542-7255.

In an emergency situation, contact 911 or UGA Police at 706-542-2200 (as applicable).

STOP: Use Our Directions

GPS, smartphone map apps and online maps provide directions that are not accessible to buses. These navigation options select the route with the shortest distance to camp. The shortest route into Wahsega travels down rough winding forest service dirt road. Use the driving directions that we provide here on our website. The best routes to Wahsega 4-H Center will always include traveling the entire length of Camp Wahsega Road. Please communicate this to your bus company or school bus drivers and individuals driving their personal vehicles to camp.

Maps

• Dahlonega map with highlighted route to Wahsega 4-H Center
• Buildings and grounds at Wahsega
• Trails at Wahsega

Our General Location

Wahsega 4-H Center is 12 miles north of Dahlonega on Forest Service Rd. 28, one mile from the end of Camp Wahsega Road and the entrance to the Army Ranger Training Facility. We are in the Ward Creek valley on property owned by the University of Georgia in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Directions from the Atlanta area

• You will need to travel north on GA 400 out of Atlanta.
• GA 400 ends near Dahlonega at GA HWY 60 where the highway becomes a 2-lane road.
• Go to the end of GA 400, which is 53 miles from the exit off I-85.
• Take a LEFT onto Highway 60 toward Dahlonega at the end of GA 400. If you pass the Home Depot on your left and the road becomes 2 lanes, you have missed the left turn.
• Skip to Step #1 in the Directions Continued section below.

Directions from the Athens area

• You will need to travel north.
• Take US 129/Jefferson Hwy/Pierce Avenue north out of Athens.
• In Gainesville, cross Jesse Jewel Pkwy and stay on GA 60.
• Go 15.5 miles from Jesse Jewel Pkwy to where GA 60 crosses the end of GA 400.
• Skip to Step #1 in the Directions Continued section below.

Directions from other areas

• Use GPS, online maps, or a Georgia map to go to the intersection of East Main Street (GA 60/GA 52/U.S. 19) and Morrison Moore Parkway (GA 60/GA 52/GA 9/U.S. 19) in Dahlonega.
• If you use GPS or online maps to find it, the address of a Rite Aid at this intersection is 566 East Main Street.
• Skip to Step #4 in the Directions Continued section below.

Directions Continued

1. Go north toward Dahlonega for 5.4 miles from the end of GA 400 to the first traffic light.
2. Turn RIGHT at the traffic light onto Morrison Moore Parkway (GA 60/GA 52/GA 9/U.S. 19).
3. Continue through the 1st traffic light to the 2nd traffic light. Prepare to turn LEFT on East Main St.
4. Turn onto East Main St. toward downtown Dahlonega. Rite Aid is on the corner at this intersection across from the entrance to the Walmart shopping center and Consolidated Gold Mine.
5. Go to the traffic light and turn RIGHT on North Grove Street. Pueblo’s Restaurant is on the corner.
6. Go 2.2 miles on N. Grove St. Watch for signs to Camp Frank D. Merrill and Wahsega 4-H Center.
7. Turn LEFT onto Camp Wahsega Rd. and go 8.5 miles to Frank D. Merrill Army Ranger Camp.
8. Curve around the barricades and pull up to the stop sign across from the military check point.
9. Turn LEFT on Forest Rd. 28-1. After 100 feet of pavement, this road is gravel. Continue 1 mile.
10. Turn LEFT into Wahsega 4-H Center. The driveway is named Cloverleaf Trail.