Former campers become today’s adult camp leaders

As a new agent, 4-H Summer Camp 2023 caused great anxiety.  Having never experienced camp as a 4-H’er, I had no idea what to expect.  Camp went very well, and during camp, I saw 2 teens step us in great leadership roles.  These teens were very active in 4-H so I had developed a very good relationship with them.  One teen, stepped up in an amazing way and lead his cabin throughout camp.  

As soon as the bus rolled back in the parking lot at the Monroe County Extension office in June 2023, two teens said “we will be 18 by next year, we want to go as adult leaders”.   These 2 teens graduated from high school just a few weeks ago, but they sacrificed their summer and summer jobs to attend 4-H camp as adult leaders.  Also, these amazing teens recruited other recent graduates who had attended camp in the past to become adult leaders.  Monroe County also had many teens who went in the roll as teen leader.   These teens exhibited many leadership skills.  Split second decisions must be made many times by leaders at camp, and when this was the case, the Monroe County teens rose to the challenge.  Monroe County camped with a different camping group this year. This was no problem for the leaders with Monroe County.  

This year, Monroe County took 13 adult and teen leaders, and 12 of those were 18 years old and under.   The teen leaders are excited to be adult leaders in the future, and the 14-15 year old campers are excited to be teen leaders.  Accepting responsibility is a skill and quality these young people will be able to carry with them throughout their lives.