In a world where youth increasingly find themselves engaged with electronic devices and isolated from peers, the need for meaningful, face-to-face interactions and hands-on experiences has never been more critical. Modern lifestyles often limit the time families and communities spend together, which can hinder the development of social, emotional, and practical life skills. Many young people lack opportunities to step outside their comfort zones, build resilience, and foster a sense of independence in a supportive environment.

To address this issue, Kentucky 4-H offers an immersive 5-day summer camp program that connects youth with trained adult volunteers and camp staff in a safe, group-living environment. With 96 hours of uninterrupted direct contact between youth and their cabin leaders and counselors, campers gain more meaningful, in-depth interactions than most get with their families over 192 days of 30-minute dinners. This intentional design provides youth with opportunities to develop life skills such as responsibility, decision-making, empathy, and generosity. They also engage in activities they may not have access to at home, including swimming, engineering, robotics, and shooting sports. 

Youth aged 9-15 are eligible to attend camp as participants, while older teens can return as counselors-in-training. Through hands-on workshops, leadership sessions, and real-world responsibilities, camp counselors-in-training gain valuable insights into leadership and mentorship, preparing them to guide younger campers and support the camp’s programming.

During the 2024 program year, Kentucky 4-H Summer Camp served a total of 14,017 individuals across its four camp facilities. This included 12,326  youth, 1,459 adult volunteers, and 232 extension staff. In the summer of 2024, 85 people from Cumberland County attended camp comprised of 9 adults, 16 teen volunteers and 60 youth campers.

Post-camp survey responses and discussions with parents highlight the lasting effects of the camp experience. Comments from parents included: “4-H Camp was the first time he had been away from us. We were worried he would get home sick, but he loved camp and can’t wait to go again next year”. Another parent shared, “When my son came home, after he took a very long nap, he could not stop talking about camp, the new friends he had made, and how he could not wait until next summer. These testimonials reflect the program’s success in fostering social and emotional growth, encouraging active lifestyles, and enhancing interpersonal skills.

Many campers return year after year, and their continued involvement in 4-H can be attributed to the positive experiences and skills gained at camp. Some even move into leadership roles, serving as counselors-in-training, where they continue to grow and contribute to the camp community. As one parent noted, “my daughter loves 4-H Camp, and she loved being a teen leader for the first time. She says when she gets old enough that she wants to work at camp like one of her former teen leaders who now works on camp staff”.  

Through these rich, immersive experiences, Kentucky 4-H Summer Camp helps create a foundation for lifelong learning, leadership, and community engagement. The program not only supports the development of individual campers but also strengthens families and communities by empowering youth to become confident, capable leaders who are ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

The Cumberland County 4-H Summer Camp program stands as a testament to the transformative power of experiential learning in a residential camp setting. By providing youth with a safe, supportive environment to explore new interests, make friends, and develop essential life skills, the program fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. As campers return home with new skills, attitudes, and connections, they bring with them the values of 4-H and a stronger commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.