McCreary County is a rural and underserved area in Kentucky; there are many families in the county below the poverty line. Each year, McCreary County Extension seeks to provide free or low-cost educational programs for 4-H youth. This year, McCreary County Extension secured 11 scholarships for 4-H aged youth to attend 4-H camp at no cost. 4-H camp is open to all Kentucky youth between the ages of 9 and 14 and provides opportunities for personal growth, gaining independence, fostering friendship skills, learning about Kentucky’s natural resources and just having fun. McCreary County is in a camping group with LaRue, Russell, and Marion counties. There are over 350 youth that attend Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp with our camping group. 

McCreary County Extension took 42 campers & teens and 4 adult volunteers to Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp in June 2024. Youth spent their days participating in activities such as swimming, canoeing, high and low ropes, archery, games, dances, singing, and nature hikes led by camp staff. County staff and volunteers led 7 classes including carnival games, crafts, sports, aerial arts, survival skills, fishing, and board games. These activities were developed and planned as a way to help young people learn new skills and develop a greater appreciation for the environment and wildlife.

About 30% of McCreary County boys and 50% of McCreary County girls were first-year campers this year. 54% of our campers and teens in attendance this year returned from last year. We had 2 campers who transitioned to teen leaders, 1 camper who transitioned to a CIT, and 1 teen who transitioned to an adult leader this year. One teen expressed interest in returning as an adult leader next year, and 2 leaders expressed a long-term goal of applying for camp staff. Two of our leaders last year were hired as camp staff this year. 

Our goal with the McCreary County 4-H Camping program is to provide youth an opportunity to participate in activities beyond the county program, expand their interests and goals, and develop them into future leaders. We have had a high success rate of developing campers into CIT's, teen leaders, and adult leaders in the last 5 years. We have also doubled our scholarship fund this year compared to last year.