4-H Offers Every Kid a Place to Shine.

The list of positive youth development items that 4-H offers is extensive. 4-H offers young people the opportunity to grow their independence, develop and master skills in areas they are passionate about, and become supportive leaders to their peers. One young man in the Harrison County 4-H program has mental and physical disabilities surrounding cerebral palsy. He was first introduced to 4-H as a 5^th grader when he got to attend overnight 4-H Environmental Camp. His teacher (long time camp counselor) and several of his closest friends helped make that experience one he couldn’t wait to come back to. The following summer this young man convinced his mom to sign him up for 4-H Summer Camp. His teacher from Environmental Camp wanted to be his camp counselor at 4-H Summer Camp. This counselor does an outstanding nightly “reflection” to share with parents back home during our time at camp. The counselor’s reflection is included with the 4-Her’s mom’s testimony that she shared towards the end of our camp week:

“Y’all my mom heart can’t take it! My sweet son is on the stage at 4-H camp with all the normal kids….totally not being stereotype when I say this, but my guy has a lot of delays and will be a forever child and I can’t tell you how thankful I am that he even gets to participate in this program!

He is in the red under armour shirt and is dancing…doing a move they call the gritty! I can’t get over the kids cheering and his friends being so sweet whispering and cheering him on in his ear.

Another reason my mama heart strings are pulling…..below is part of a post from a counselor that happens to be my sons previous teacher.

Morning reflections from our Independence Day here at 4-H Camp:

The highlight of my week has already taken place (I suppose it could be topped, but it will be tough to do so). At pool time yesterday, many boys, and a few girls were playing basketball in the pool (with the goal on the side of the pool).

One JC gives the ball to a young boy who would probably not get a shot off otherwise. When the young man made the shot, every camper in that vicinity of the pool started cheering and splashing water as if the Bengals had just won the Super Bowl. It didn't stop there, they gave him the ball back and he made another shot with the same reactions from the kids around him. I'm not lying, this went on for 10-12 minutes! He didn't make every shot, but when he did the campers cheered so unselfishly for this lil' fella! (I'll add a picture of this in the comment section afterwards) Yes, tears welled-up under my sunglasses...”

Following 4-H Camp, this camper’s mother messaged a video to his 4-H Agent, of him looking through his camp staff cards that he had collected during the week and holding his favorite card, saying the name of his 4-H Agent!  A few months after camp, his mom then told the 4-H agent that both she and her husband were planning to go to camp in 2024 as adult counselors!