In years past, camp numbers in Hardin County were not meeting state expectations.  The Hardin County 4-H program continues to believe that the camp experience has several positive impacts for youth ages 9-14 including personal growth, eliminating screen time and fostering independence and leadership while creating opportunities for mentorship and positive role modeling from teens and adults.  Initial feedback when the camping dates were released was that many regular campers and adults would not be attending because camp week was during the 4th of July holiday.

In response to initial low numbers from a couple of years prior, Extension staff implemented a number of efforts to increase awareness of the camping program and available scholarships to offset the cost for lower-income families.  Various forms of media were used to market camp including multiple articles that were featured in the local newspaper, the local broadcast network recorded and aired a television programming highlighting camp including two former campers alongside the 4-H agent and the agent had a radio interview with one of the more popular local radio stations during the morning show.  The 4-H agent enlisted the help of staff and volunteers to put on the first ever 4-H Summer Camp Block Party in the county to kick off the beginning of summer break and start a 10-day countdown to the registration deadline.  The block party included activities and games that campers might experience at camp in a scaled down version including, outdoor games, relay races, crafts, chow wagon and a campfire to roast smores.  More than 50 youth along with 30 adults/parents attended the event, only 30% of those polled had previously registered to attend camp.  The event was made possible with the help of eight adult volunteers and seven teen volunteers, six of whom agreed to attend camp as teen counselors or CITs.  That was in 2022.  

Since numbers were looking low again, Extension Staff decided to continue the annual Summer Camp Block party to help us reach our goal with the help of our County 4-H Council.  The 2024 summber camp block party was well attended and the number of participants increased each year.  During the block party  seven new campers signed up to attend camp, two campers completed scholarship applications and two potential volunteers also completed paperwork to attend as leaders. In the days following the event, several other new campers signed up.  This total pushed us past our goal for 2024.

Participants and parents expressed enjoying the block party event and being able to have the opportunity to learn more about camp and other 4-H programs.