Success StoryWebster County 4-H Breaks Camping Record



Webster County 4-H Breaks Camping Record

Author: Wade Raymer

Planning Unit: Webster County CES

Major Program: Camping

Plan of Work: Life Skills for Everyone

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

A study reported in the Journal of Extension looked at the long-term impact of being a counselor at a 4-H residential camp. Alumni counselors were asked about their experience and how it related to personal development, the development of skill for working with children and groups, and life skill development. These included: how to handle emergency situations, how to plan an educational activity, how to teach others, how to deal with difficult children, how to be a role model for others, how to lead groups, how to facilitate groups of children, and how to encourage and support others (Journal of Extension, December 2006: Looking Back, the Impact of the 4-H Camp Counselor Experience on Youth Development: A Survey of Counselor Alumni.) 

Webster County has broken the county camp attendance RECORD, 4 YEARS IN A ROW by taking 142 youth, teens and adults in 2024. Webster County campers and volunteer leaders attended the 4 day camp along with others from Henderson, and Ohio Counties. Webster County 4-H had 15 high school leaders and 15 adult volunteers to assist the campers. These volunteers are required to have extensive training and dedicate several, hours to the youth.  

Serving as a 4-H Camp Counselor provides these leaders the opportunity to make an impact on the youth in their care while at the same time making a significant impact on themselves. It is a very rewarding and experience with a lasting impact.