OnSite Facilities (Rock Eagle 4-H Center)

• What is the facilities protocol during COVID 19? Rock Eagle 4-H Center is a University of Georgia facility and is governed by the policies and procedures of UGA. During the conference, you will see the conference team supporting those guidelines as well as providing additional support as available.  For more information about the conference and Rock Eagle's Health and Safety procedures visit the Health and Safety.
• I'm driving. Where am I headed? Rock Eagle 4-H Center is located north of Eatonton, Georgia on Ga Hwy 441. The physical address is 350 Rock Eagle Road, Eatonton, Georgia.  If your directions send you to Union Chapel Rd (turn right), we recommend you drive passed the turn and continue approximately 2 miles to the main gate entrance. There is a large granite sign and you will come through the Center from the public lake side and enjoy a pleasant view. This will add 5-10 minutes to your trip but can be worth it for first time attendees. If you do turn on Union Chapel, be sure to notice the small white school house and chapel just before you turn on Rock Eagle road. The Union Chapel community was home to the early 4-H leaders who built the 4-H camping program.
  
• How can I find out more about Rock Eagle?  Rock Eagle 4-H Center is over 60 years old and is a proud component of the Georgia 4-H Program.  In addition to a large summer camping program, Rock Eagle hosts residential environmental education during the school year. In fact, EE students may even be on center with us.  To learn more about the Center, visit the website. There are also videos online that may share more about the facility.
• If this is a camp, what do we expect from the cabins?  Rock Eagle offers two cabin styles, the traditional cabin and renovated cabin. We will be housed in renovated cabins.  Built in the last 15 years, renovated cabins include 6 rooms with 2 guests per room. Guest rooms feature two bunk beds, cubbies with mirrors and drawers, hanging space and private baths.  Each room has in-room temperature control, and linens are included with the registration fee.  In addition to the guest rooms, each cabin has a central living area with a sitting area, tables, chairs, and televisions. Most cabins also include wifi.  Participants may register for single or double occupancy. Double occupancy requests must request a roommate and the roommates must match (request each other).
• I hear this is a big place, will there be a lot of walking? Rock Eagle 4-H Center has a capacity of nearly 1,000 campers. While we won’t have that many participants, we will be utilizing a large area of camp.  Educational buildings, the dining hall, and auditorium are easily accessible with close by sidewalks and parking.  We will make every effort to house our participants in the area of our educational buildings to reduce walking. 

Workshops

• Do I have to pick a track of workshops?  Tracks are optional. We have a full set of workshops planned for those who select tracks and those who do not.  There are also limited seats available in track sessions on a first come first serve basis for those not in the track.  Whether you are in a track or picking from the general sessions, there are a wide range of workshops to meet your needs.
• Why pick a track? Tracks provide  concentration in an area of interest.  Track participants can attend 5 of 7 workshops to receive a certificate.  Certificates will be sent electronically to those who request them and show completion of a track.  The conference program provides space for participants to record their sessions for any documentation needed for their volunteer or educational service.
• What are these pre-recorded sessions? We are offering recorded sessions for all our participants, virtual and onsite that will open Thursday, September 30th. Additionally, our virtual sessions will be recorded and included in the conference portal. The portal recordings will be available for on-demand viewing for all registered participants (onsite and virtual) through December 31, 2021.

 
Conference Activities

• What else is happening besides the workshops? Participants rave about the  chance to network with other volunteers as the best part of a volunteer conference.  In addition to  workshops and meals, each evening is an activity that will get you mixing and talking.  There is is a little something for everyone at the conference.
• I'm a virtual attendee. What will I be participating in? The virtual schedule reflects offerings that will be offered in the conference portal for a 100% virtual group. Additionally, there are a few times during the conference where viewing parties will be offered to join other activities taking place. Refer to the virtual option for more details.
• What’s a Golden ticket & why do I want one? Participants earn golden tickets before and during the conference. Participants add their names to the tickets and drop them in the prize box.  On Saturday evening, names are drawn, and winners select from a collection of prizes. It’s great fun to earn tickets and get engaged with the conference and participants before you arrive at Rock Eagle. This year, we will offer Golden Ticket prices to be awarded to those in our virtual conference as well as those who may not be present on Saturday evening. If you are a winner, and not present, you will have a gift sent to you.
• What’s this auction on Saturday night? Participants gather for lots of fun on Saturday evening. In addition to awarding Golden ticket prizes, there is a teacup auction and heads or tails contest.  For the teacup auction, tickets are purchased and placed in boxes as chances to win baskets and prizes. Last year’s auction included 4-H memorabilia, curriculum resources, state baskets and other items.  Participants may purchase as many tickets as they like and place as many in each item’s box as a bid for that prize.  In addition to the auction, participants may buy into the heads or tails game with winners earning various other prizes of their choice. At this time, auction and heads and tails activities require your presence on Saturday evening.

 
Other Things Inquiring Minds Want to Know

• What do I need to bring? Packing for Rock Eagle is simple enough. Be sure to pack  enthusiasm and good ideas! Don't forget to pack comfortable casual clothes, walking shoes, and a light jacket.  There is a camp store  open for souvenirs, and of course,  the fundraiser auctions and contents, so bring some cash along as well.  And while linens are provided, don't forget to bring  toiletries, and maybe an extra towel.
• Can my family join me for the conference? While Rock Eagle 4-H Center is designed with kids in mind, our conference targets adult volunteers and youth development professionals.  We ask that if family is traveling with participants, that  part-time registration is selected and families stay offsite. We do not have accommodations or activities for youth or non-conference attendees.  For specific concerns, please email us at 4hvcoss@gmail.com​
• I am flying to Georgia. Is there a shuttle to the 4-H Center? Rock Eagle 4-H Center is approximately  1 1/2 hours from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  Shuttle Service is available through Groome Transportation to Madison, Georgia on the Augusta route. Shuttle service from the airport to Madison is $49 each way.  We will offer complimentary pick up from the Groome drop off in Madison for 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 30th The 2:30 shuttle departs Atlanta at 1:15 p.m. You will want to make your flight arrangements to land approximately 1 hour before shuttle departure.  We will also offer the complimentary shuttle back to the Madison departure for pick up in Madison at 9:45 a.m. Sunday for arrival in Atlanta at 11:15 a.m.  If you would like shuttle pick up, please email 4hvcoss@gmail.com before September 15th.  We may be able to work with shuttle pick up and arrivals outside of the planned pick up and departure listed above. If you are interested please email 4hvcoss@gmail.com to discuss your plans before booking your shuttle with Groome so that we can ensure we can accommodate your special request.

---