Stretching 1,011 acres along the Des Moines River Valley, the former central Iowa 4-H Camp, previously known as the Iowa 4-H Center and most recently as Clover Woods Camp and Retreat Center, offers a sense of wildness in the heart of central Iowa unlike any other. The site contains woodland cloaked hills and valleys, more than a dozen miles of hiking trails, an impressive assortment of native plants and wildlife, stunning views of the Des Moines River Valley and ancient Native American burial mounds.
The Iowa 4-H Foundation, which had run the camp since the 1940s, listed the camp for sale in 2019 citing declining attendance and a desire to support other 4-H programming around the state. Protecting the camp's natural resources was INHF's first priority. The camp was split into 12 parcels for the sale, and INHF made an offer on and ultimately purchased the entire property.
Most of the former camp has transferred to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, who will manage it as an addition to Saylorville Wildlife Area offering hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. Portions of the property are open and accessible from adjacent public land, but the main entrance to the camp remains closed to allow for building removal and derecho damage cleanup. The 4-H Camp no longer has event facilities and is not available to rent.
