The pandemic has been difficult on everyone, including our young people.  Physical distancing resulted in youth losing out on many significant life events and experiences.  Remote learning and quarantine robbed 4-Hers of real human connections and had negative impacts on their mental health. One of the experiences taken from 4-Hers during the pandemic was 4-H Camp.  The State 4-H Camping Program developed a plan that the Shelby County 4-H Staff was able to implement to conduct 4-H Camp in 2021.

 Strict safety guidelines, reduced capacities, pre-screening requirements and modified schedules were put in place to insure campers could attend safely.  Despite the modifications and extra requirements, Shelby County filled one hundred percent of the beds allotted for the camp week.  102 Shelby County campers and counselors attended Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp.   Campers, teens and adults were excited by the return of camp, even if it looked and felt a little different.  A post camp survey indicated that the camp was a success.  Some of the positive outcomes that families reported about their child’s camp experience included: willing to try new things, enjoying outdoors, learning new life skills, taking care of self needs, emphasizing with friends, supporting others, and learning new skills and activities.  Not surprising was the most common response to the question of “What was the best part of camp?” on the survey.  It was being with their friends. The chance to have a real human connection for kids that had been isolated for over a year made 4-H Camp a life experience that they will never forget.