To say there was ever a time needed in our community for kids to have fun being kids; parent/guardians a sense of sending their child(ren) away to a safe environment; and time for teens to grow and flourish as leaders…2018 4-H Camp was that time and provided those opportunities to Marshall County youth!  

The effects of the January 23rd shooting at Marshall County High School were felt early on in 4-H Camp promotion and recruitment.  Registrations were very slow to come in until another push right before and after Spring Break. The sense was families did not want their child(ren) away from them.  Spring Break provided families time to be together and the security it was OK to also spend some time apart.  Within a couple of weeks after Spring Break, Marshall County had a waiting list for boy campers and the two girl cabins were almost to capacity.

Overall, counselor recruitment on the girl side was strong and several teens ready to go back.  Due to scheduling conflicts, recruitment of male teen and adult counselors was a bit of a struggle.  Recruitment was in double-time with the Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development making pleas right and left.  One 4-H mom heard the pleas and talked to her two teenage sons.  One was going to be working, but the other was “on the fence.”  Following are some of the mom’s own words on discussions with her sons:

“(Our son)…agreed to go with a little prodding.  He had been to summer camp (not 4-H) several years before but did not have a positive experience.  I felt it would be a really good for him to be away from his siblings, since he is the middle child and tends to be a little shy and quiet and do something to build his self-esteem and leadership skills.  

As we got closer to the time for camp, (he)…began to say he didn’t want to go.  I finally convinced him that it was the thing to do by letting him know several boys, who were on our waiting list, would not get to go if he dropped out.   So he agreed and stuck to his word.  After the interview with our (4-H) Agent he seemed to be more confident in his decision and even began to push to get his things packed several weeks in advance.”

Knowing the adverse experiences, the teen had at another camp, the 4-H Agent made sure in the interview to turn it to him thinking about what could the counselors at that camp have done differently to make it a positive experience.  Also, during counselor orientation, the 4-H Agent and Program Assistant stressed to all of the counselors about doing all they can to ensure the campers (and the counselors) have fun, positive experiences, and get a break from all of the “negatives” in their various environments.  This same teen who was reluctant seemed to keep moving forward on learning.  He also had a great adult counselor who served as mentor plus some experienced campers who wanted both counselors to succeed knowing for both it was their first time at 4-H Camp.

Upon arrival back from camp, his mom noted… “He returned early with several other counselors to unload and sort the luggage of the other campers.  He walks by with a quick “Hi Mom” and continues to work with a smile on his face.  After the work was finished, he came and talked, almost animatedly, to me about his experiences at 4-H Camp.  He told stories about the work he did but also the great fun he had.  He has continued to talk about how much he enjoyed 4-H camp and the plans he has for next years’ camp!”

Knowing the growth and seeing in a few days the overall change in this teen’s demeanor was beyond rewarding for the Marshall County 4-H Youth Development Agent.  The seven teens who went to 4-H Camp 2018 were either in the MCHS Commons that fateful morning and/or in same classes/extracurricular activities/friends of the victims.  Getting to witness the smiles, joy, hugs from campers, and overall fun of our teen leaders who for four days got to put the things behind them was one the greatest highlights of 4-H Camp 2018!