Hello Friends

Who are we?

We are a fun group of Homemakers of all ages. We get together once a year at the 4-H Memorial Camp located inside the beautiful Allerton Park in Monticello Illinios. Founded over 70 years ago, Homemakers Camp shares a long rich history of education, bonding and relaxation in wonderful relaxing surroundings.

Homemakers Camp initially began as part of the Illinois Homemakers Extension program which was formed under the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 whose goal was to provided agricultural and home-economic instruction to farm homemakers. What started out as an opportunity to instruct young wives on proper food preservation techniques quickly grew to add guidance in baking, sewing, and gardening.

Soon the role of women in the home and community became a focus of Extension Organizations at large, with the formation of Extension chapters across the globe. Today chapters continues it’s educational focus with an emphasis on childhood health and nutrition; improvements in crop production and livestock health; instruction in consumer rights and responsibilities; and implementing technological training for farmers and those living in rural areas.

In the beginning Homemakers Camp was one of those such programs allowing farm wives to treat themselves to a few days of fresh air, outside activities and the opportunity to learn new skills away from the home. Over the years the focus has evolved into an ‘each one teach one’ opportunity with campers sharing skills and talents through mini classes of varying kind: knitting, sewing, quilting, and crafts of all kinds. Surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Allerton Park’s 4-H Memorial Camp, women gather each year to share, laugh, breathe in fresh air and enjoy easy camaraderie.

Plus – you don’t have to cook!

The 2024 Volunteer Planning Committee has organized another great year of camp: three days of leisure and fun. Craft all day and night — or just relax Camp activities include all your favorites: Skit Night, Name Tag Contest, Table Decorating, Show-and-Tell, the Silent Auction, Craft Basket Raffle, and Quilt Raffle! Check out the link to Annual Camp Events, in the right column, for the exciting activities our camp has to offer. 

We are looking forward to seeing you all in October!

Cathy & Trisha
Illinois Homemakers Camp – Co-chairwomen

______________________________________________

having with my gnomes

For your Calendar: Camp Dates: October 10, 2024 – October 14, 2024 

For your Creative Juices: 2024 Camp Theme: Crafting With My Gnomies

For your Pocketbook: 2024 Registration Fees:
$160 (with log cabin lodging at 4-H Memorial Camp, includes meals)
$130 (without lodging, includes meals)
$21 Thursday Night Stay

*Please include an automatic $5 Late fee if postmarked after September 10th

We will also be offering a raffle for new campers and those who brought them. Bring a friend to be entered in a chance to win 2025 Camp at 50% off!

Registrations are due by September 10th. Please note that all registrations postmarked after September 10th will incur a $5.00 late fee.  Registrations and payments postmarked after September 20th unfortunately have to be returned.

Please note our refund policy: No refunds for cancellations that occur less than 10 days before the start of camp. Registrations canceled 10 days before the first day of camp will receive a 100% refund. 

Camp officially begins at 1:00 pm Friday and ends at 1:00 pm on Monday.  The Main Dining Hall will close at noon.

Registration and class sign-up will begin at 11:00 am and end at 1:00 pm with the Newcomers’ Tea at 1:00pm. 

Campers may arrive at camp no earlier than 8:00 am Friday morning (unless option for Thursday night is selected).

Cabin assignments will be sent via email by September 24th

As of 2022, the Committee has approved additional registration of nieces, daughters and granddaughters who carry a valid high school ID. If you are interested in registering a family member, please reach out to ilshcampcochair@gmail.com

Please note: If you choose to attend Camp with your niece, daughter of grand daughters and they under the age of 18, they must reside in the same cabin with you and be well behaved.

If you have a question about 2024 registration, send us an email ilshcampcochair@gmail.com