The problem

In the fall of 2023, the Fleming County 4-H program was approached by the fifth-grade teacher team from Flemingsburg Elementary School about what it would take to offer the overnight Colonial Camp experience to their youth.   They wanted an opportunity to provide a supplemental educational experience actively utilizing and highlighting classroom curriculum to encourage information retention prior to their end of the year testing window.  

The educational program response

By utilizing the overnight camping model at North Central 4-H Camp and coordinating with the teaching team and local volunteers, fifth grade students had the opportunity to learn about economics in colonial times, make tin can lanterns, learn about the evolution of Black Powder and Flintlock, learn about the westward expansion into Kentucky and learn about colonial toys and technology.  As a result, of the programming, youth had the opportunity to share many new experiences with their classmates.  For many students, it was their first time in an overnight camp setting.  Students expressed they learned about supply and demand through the economics lesson, and what to do if they ever get lost in the woods.  The program as a whole was extremely well rounded covering many aspects of colonial life.

The participants/target audience

What began as a project with one individual elementary school, quickly bloomed into an invitation to the entire 5^th grade class of Fleming County Schools, crossing three different elementary schools.  100 5^th graders and over 60 school and community volunteers helped to make this program a success.

Other partners (if applicable)

This program was partnered with Fleming County Schools, North Central 4-H Camp, Fleming County Public Library, Kentucky Fish & Wildlife. 

Program impact or participant response.

Teacher’s reviewed this program as “4-H Colonial Camp created an environmental that enabled students to try things that would have never been possible in the traditional classroom.  It also gave them a sense of responsibility and created memories that will last a lifetime” and “Colonial Camp provided our students with incredible experiences that aligned directly to the social studies curriculum.  Teacher/ Student relationships were strengthened and all students experienced something new where they were able to feel a sense of pride in themselves!”

While at Colonial Camp, students had the opportunity to experience independence on a new level. Some had never been away from home before or been responsible for their own belongings.  Students reported in a post test that 88% attending felt responsible for their own things, 40% made a new friend, 75% exercised their manners, 61% thought they were polite, 80% worked on being on time and 95% of the youth attending stated they tried something new for the very first time.