Character Counts defines a person’s character as “the summation of their habits, attitudes and attributes." Good character doesn’t happen automatically. Character education is very important, and good character qualities can be taught. To educate the youth of Owsley County in character development the agent for 4-H Youth Development offers various programs throughout the program year, and one such program is yearly attendance to J.M. Feltner 4-H Camp. 4-H Camp provides youth educational opportunities through collaboration with local, state, and national partners, research-based methods and programming, service-oriented practices, long-term strategic planning, and play. A typical 4-day 4-H Camp session offers upwards of 70 hours of direct, uninterrupted contact between youth and their cabin leaders/counselors. That’s the equivalent of a family sitting down at the dinner table for 30-minutes, 160 days of the year.  The interactions offered in a residential camp/group living setting are so important to youth, especially considering the isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The time we spend with youth in the camp setting offers opportunities for those youth to feel a sense of belonging, to have meaningful conversations with caring adults, to practice generosity, group decision-making, they experience new activities they typically do not have access to at home, and they gain independence by taking on the responsibility in keeping track of their belongings and keeping to the camp schedule. 

Owsley County 4-H brought 45 campers, 8 teen leaders, 6 volunteers, and 1 extension staff member for a fun weekend of camping. Owsley County saw an increase of 10 campers, 3 teen leaders, and 3 volunteers from 2023. Campers made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime during our week at J.M. Feltner 4-H Camp in London, Kentucky. 

The vision of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to serve the citizens of Kentucky and beyond by providing a safe environment for experiential learning opportunities. The mission of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to improve people through intentional life skill development. This will happen through: • collaboration with local, state, and national partners, • research-based methods and programming, • service-oriented practices, • long-term strategic planning, • and play. 

For Owsley County 4-Hers’ the week was well spent learning through doing. Campers got to choose four classes to participate in, as well as team building activities throughout the week. Campers got the opportunity to try new activities and build skills in these areas. Activities included: canoeing, hiking, rock wall climbing, ziplining, swimming, archery, riflery, recreation, and so much more! As the week came to an end and campers packed up their bags to go home campers shared their thoughts about camp, a few were “I never knew a place like this could exist. Now that I do, I don’t want to leave.”, “I don’t want to go home. I am having too much fun to leave now.” and “I am definitely coming back next year”. A parent of a camper shared “This will be the highlight of her summer that she got to do something that normally she doesn’t get to participate in, thank you!” The impact 4-H Camp leaves on the youth of Owsley County is seen throughout the smiling faces, friendships made, and the skills and leadership they bring back and exhibit every day in their communities.