Research has proven that youth benefit from positive relationships with caring adults. According to the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs, youth with mentors typically have "increased high school graduation rates, lower high school dropout rates, and healthier relationships and lifestyle choices". 4-H Camp provides campers aged 8-15 with such opportunities to be mentored and nurtured by caring cabin leaders, class instructors, teen volunteers, and camp staff members in hopes that these positive experiences will lead to better life outcomes. 4-H's mission is to help young people become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. The 4-H Camping program gives youth a chance to develop in all three of these areas. 

Adair County Cooperative Extension Service provides multiple opportunities for youth throughout the week to develop skills in all three of these areas. Adair County Cooperative Extension Service provided 82 campers, 13 Teen Leaders, and 512 Adult Leaders the opportunity to attend summer camp.

Summer Camp gave the youth the opportunity to develop a sense of belonging, gain independence and develop social skills. The youth learned how to live in a group environment, be responsible for their own belongings, and be physically active. They also learned how to work with others, respect others, develop new skills, and how take on new challenges. Teen Leaders learned to be responsible for others, work as a team, and take ownership of the camping program. This past year over $7500 was raised for a camp scholarship to help youth attend camp that otherwise would not have been able to afford to attend.

A survey of the 82 Adair County Campers who attended the camp demonstrated personal growth in life skills by attending camp. An end-of-the-camp survey revealed the following results:
89% learned something at camp that will help them at home, school, or other places, 100% tried something new at camp, 92% made new friends, 94% were responsible at camp (took care of my belongings and self, was on time, cleaned up after myself.