Butler co. is a small rural county, our youth need involvement with good adults, educational programs, and activities.

4-H Camp is one of KY Extension's Signature programs.  2024 was a banner year for Butler Co. 4-H Camping,  with 156 campers, teens and adults.  15 more than our previous record. Almost 30 attended on at least a 50% scholarship.  We always lose a few leaders who moved, or their children aged out.  We recruited additional adults, and trained our teen leaders extra closely.  The "Teen Leader" at 16 years old or CIT's 15 years old are required to attend even more training than the adults.  We specifically require this increased training in order to compensate for that lack of experience.  One thing that really helped our participation was day camps held during Christmas break, fall break, and 4 weeks of the summer.  Keeping the youth and parents more involved throughout the year makes them feel a part of the events.   I tell people, we didn't take 156 to camp, we recruited, trained and developed a relationship with 28 adult and teen volunteers who took those youth to camp.  Our relationship with the Housing Department, donors, schools, Rural Development clubs etc. makes all this support possible.  

The long term aspect of this is the years of work that have led to these large numbers. All the "Teen Leaders" are home grown participants in Butler Co. 4-H.  The adults all but one grew up in the program and know it's value. The last adult's youngest child attended camp the first time 15 years ago. That community commitment is the longest of long term impacts.