The Issue

The interactions offered in a residential camp/group living setting are so important to youth, especially considering the isolation brought on by social media. 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. 

The educational program response 

A typical 5-day 4-H Camp session offers upwards of 96 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, 196 days of the year.  Todd County 4-H partnered with Butler and Crittenden Counties along with West Kentucky 4-H Camp to provide a week long 4-H camp for more than 380 campers between our 3 counties.  Additionally, Todd County financial donors ensured that lower income youth were able to attend by providing more than $14,500 in scholarship money. 

 Target audience/reach

 A total of 133 ( campers, 12 teen leaders and 25 adults attended residential summer camp with Todd County 4-H. Todd County's 3rd largest year since 1994. The campers attended  4 classes for three days to master new skills in canoeing, rifle, cooking, wood working, sports, communications, drama, swimming, nature,  challenge courses and so much more. Todd County 4-H promoted summer 4-H camp to 4th - 8th graders in the county. Nearly 19 percent of the kids in those grades throughout the entire county attended 4-H camp during Todd County's week in July. 

Statement of Outcome 

Todd County 4-H raised more than $14,500 in scholarship money to support over 75 lower income youth in attending summer 4-H Camp.  Businesses, churches, FRYSC and individuals answered the call to send a kid to camp. 

An end of camp, common measures survey was conducted by the counselors with their cabin of campers on the last day of camp.  The results were as follows:

93% said 4-H is a place with caring adults

81% felt 4-H camp was a place where others like them. 

98% mastered a new skill at 4-H camp. 

85% became a strong swimmer at camp. 

100% said they made a new friend at camp. 

98% said they spent more time outside than a normal week. 

95% said 4-H camp was a place they felt they belonged. 

83% worked out a problem with someone during the week. 

67% ate more fruits and vegetables this week than normal. 

 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.