There really isn’t anything like 4-H Camp Magic! That statement rang true in 2024 for Montgomery County campers! Camp enrollment reached an all-time high of 149. Spaces were filled for both sides of camp (boys and girls) within the first day of the registration window opening on March 1.  It takes a team of people to make 4-H camp run and be fun.  From the camp staff that works at camp all summer long welcoming each new group week after week of the summer camp session to the volunteers who take time away from work or home to spend a week being a volunteer counselor to the campers in their cabin to the junior counselors who are just a few years older than campers who range in age from 9-14 but serve the important role of positive role model and motivator of campers within their cabin and their assigned camp team.  4-H Camp provides this structured, extracurricular experience that allows youth to engage with friends and rely on adult and junior counselors for emotional support to develop and learn in a positive way. It makes a difference to the campers. According to the American Camping Association, as these positive relationships predict happiness, the camp environment provides an ideal setting to improve happiness due to the focus on building positive relationships. Children at summer camp have ample, daily opportunities to connect with other people and therefore, are "happy campers." In turn, happy campers make it their goal to return to camp because of the positive, supportive and fun environment.  As a result, the happier the experience for campers the more repeat and prospective campers register for camp…and attendance grows!