Georgia 4-H Facilities Update: 2025 Cloverleaf Magazine
The Burton 4-H Center dock and boardwalk renovation was completed in May 2025 and offers visitors a comprehensive view of the marsh cycle on Tybee Island.
Available across the state from the north Georgia mountains to the coastal Golden Isles, Georgia 4-H facilities provide unique opportunities for a variety of youth and adult groups.
With lodging accommodations, meeting spaces, full-service dining halls, and high-quality programs, the 4-H facilities collectively served over 88,000 guests last year.
Improvements and updates are constantly happening at all six 4-H centers. One of the more significant projects completed in the last year was the renovation of the recreation hall at Fortson 4-H Center. It has returned to its status as an open-air pavilion and is now the perfect place to gather young people for activities and classes.
Another standout improvement was the relocation and replacement of the dock at Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island. This update was necessary to address the position of the previous dock in the shifting tidal creek due to marsh dynamics. The new location gives young people incredible views and access to explore Georgia’s dynamic coastal ecosystems.
It is also exciting to report that at the time of publication, three new cabins at Rock Eagle 4-H Center are nearing completion. This brings the total number of new cabins at Rock Eagle to 42, leaving only 12 traditional cabins remaining to be replaced.
Georgia 4-H is always making the best better. Additional projects are planned for the coming year, including the design work on the new observation tower to provide elevator access at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center Effigy. Fortson 4-H Center will see improvements to the septic system for dorms 3 and 4. Burton 4-H Center will begin progress to install two new living shorelines, continuing to stabilize the creek banks. All centers are making improvements, both major and minor, with the goal of enhancing guest experience and the priority of ensuring the facilities are safe and impactful places to visit.
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.