Camp Woodlee exists to provide the youth of Tennessee an experience that instills a love of nature, builds lifetime relationships and creates lifelong memories. This mission is achieved by utilizing a connection with nature, experiential learning and relationship building.
Camp Woodlee was founded in 1951 by Fred Colby, the Tennessee 4-H Camping Specialist and also known as the “Father of Camp Woodlee.” Mr. Colby was instrumental in locating and selecting the current location of state camp in 1949. The campsite itself was given to the 4-H and Young Farmers and Homemakers (now Young Farmers and Ranchers) of Tennessee by the heirs of Mr. E.K. Woodlee.
Mr. Woodlee, a personal friend of Colby’s, originally offered the land during the Great Depression but Mr. Colby felt as if the task of building a camp could not be taken on at that time and postponed action. When the idea of a state YF&H and district 4-H camp came up again several years later, Mr. Colby remembered the Woodlee offer. E.K. Woodlee had passed away, but Mr. Colby approached Woodlee’s son, O.C. Woodlee, Sr., to see if the offer still stood. It did, and the land was donated. Appropriately, the camp became known as “ Camp Woodlee.”
Cabins were constructed with the tremendous help of eleven different county 4-H and YF&H clubs. By August 1951, seven cabins had been built and the first YF&H camp was held August 6-11. Camp Woodlee served as District III 4-H camp from 1951 until 1964, until campers were asked to share facilities with District IV 4-H’ers at the Clyde M. York 4-H Training Center in Crossville, Tennessee.
Kids deserve the chance to be kids.
Youth want to explore, get dirty, run amuck, climb trees, and create mudslides.
They find this at Camp Woodlee.
Shared responsibility is central for success of an experience.
There is no cleaning crew at Camp Woodlee. Under the guidance of leaders, kids are responsible for taking care of the facility—from washing dishes to sweeping floors. And, at the end of each camp, kids are reminded that the motto at Camp Woodlee is to leave it better than you found it.
Minimizing amenities maximizes relationship experiences.
Camp Woodlee is not a location for summer camp activities, it is a style of summer camping. Everything is done in groups. One mentality at Camp Woodlee is structured leisure. When youth are together (such as on the front porch or lounging by the river) with an intentional lack of a structured agenda, conversation occurs. When conversation occurs with the same group on a regular basis, relationships are formed. Everything about Camp Woodlee, from the physical layout to structured leisure, fosters relationship development.
RATE: $10 per person per night. $50 fee for day use only.
DIRECTIONS:
Camp Woodlee
273 Clendenon Ln
McMinnville, TN 37110
(931) 692-3695
The address for Camp Woodlee is 273 Clendenon Ln, McMinnville, TN 37110 and the kitchen phone is (931) 692-3695. Cell service is very limited. Google Maps or Mapquest may try to bring you in through a four-wheeler trail. The proper way is to come to Irving College then turn off Hwy 56 (Beersheba Hwy) onto Hills Creek Road. Once you cross the bridge over Hills Creek, turn right onto Camp Woodlee Road, which brings you to the camp.
To request reservations, email campwoodlee@gmail.com.
