The Iowa 4-Foundation is selling Clover Woods Camp & Retreat Center located northwest of Madrid in Boone County. The 1,011 acres for sale are in red.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is selling its camp and retreat center located on 1,011 acres along the Des Moines River in Boone County, the group announced today.

The Clover Woods Camp & Retreat Center, located northwest of Madrid at 1991 Peach Ave., has become too expensive to manage, with nearly $1 million spent in the past five years on camp operations, maintenance and capital projects, according to a news released. 

In addition, over the past 10 years attendance at the camp has dwindled to an average of 528 youths annually, less than 1% of Iowa’s 4-H members.

“We recognize that the needs of today’s 4-H’ers and the Iowa 4-H program have changed,” Emily Saveraid, executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, said in a prepared release. “Youth and their families prefer camping options that are closer to home.

“We are grateful to those who have invested time and resources to make camping opportunities possible, and we look forward to exploring ways that we can continue to grow our support of the Iowa 4-H Program and 4-H camping in this next chapter in our history.” 

Proceeds from the sale of the property, which includes the camp’s lodges, cabins, storm shelter, pool and climbing wall, will be used to support 4-H programs.

Peoples Co. is overseeing the sale of the property, which is being offered in 12 tracts through a sealed bid auction process. Bids are due Oct. 23. 

For more information about the property, click here.