Kentucky 4-H Camping aims to provide a secure environment for hands-on learning experiences, benefiting both Kentucky residents and individuals from other regions. The primary goal of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to foster personal growth through deliberate development of essential life skills. This objective will be achieved by:

• Collaborating with local, state, and national associates
• Implementing research-supported techniques and programming
• Adhering to service-oriented approaches
• Engaging in long-range strategic planning
• Incorporating play

During their stay, young participants and their cabin leaders/counselors will engage in a minimum of 78 hours of direct interaction. The connections formed in a residential camp or group living atmosphere are pivotal for the youth, offering them a sense of inclusion, valuable conversations with compassionate mentors, opportunities for generosity, communal decision-making, exposure to new activities beyond their usual scope, and a chance to develop independence by managing their belongings and adhering to the camp's schedule.

Youth can start attending summer camp when they turn 9 years old and can continue for up to 6 years. At the age of 15, they have the option to become counselor-in-training where they can learn from experienced leaders, attend workshops, help with various camp activities, and provide support with organizing camp programs. This year, the camp offered a diverse range of classes, beyond the usual ones such as arts & crafts, outdoor and indoor cooking, reading, drawing, board games, photography, agriculture, circus arts, horse care, and a community service course.

Within the camping group from Union, Meade, Daviess, McLean, and Edmondson counties, a total of 234 campers attended, comprising 98 males and 136 females. There were 32 teenagers aged between 15 to 17 years, with 12 male participants and 20 females. Additionally, 38 adults and staff attended the camp, with 16 males and 24 females. The racial breakdown showed that there were 283 white participants, 3 Hispanic participants, and 19 Black participants.  Union County saw a record number of 72 participants, marking the highest turn out in over 25 years.

Many months of group planning were required to prepare for the annual 4-H Summer Camp. Collaborating with Daviess, Meade, Edmonson, and McLean County 4-H programs, Union County 4-H successfully executed a 4-day, 3-night camping program. The camp was another triumph, where young participants acquired invaluable life skills that they will cherish for years to come.

The impact of the program was evident in the positive feedback received from participants during the post-camp survey. Comments like "My daughter's first time away from home was a blast; she's already looking forward to next year!" and "Thanks to camp, my child now enjoys outdoor games instead of being glued to screens" highlighted the positive influence of the camp. Parents also noted changes in attitude and behavior, such as increased empathy and a newfound appreciation for creativity and crafting.

Karaoke Time! 

Union County 4-H Summer Camp Group 2024