Success Story2025 4-H Camp Recruitment
2025 4-H Camp Recruitment
Author: Meagan Klee
Planning Unit: Casey County CES
Major Program: Camping
Plan of Work: Strengthening and Empowering Community Leaders, Volunteers, and Youth
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Casey County is located in south central Kentucky but is considered an eastern Kentucky County due to its limited resources and the social economic status of most families. As of 2023, the median household income per capita in Casey County was $41,689; the median individual income was $23,794. With limited income for our families, extracurricular activities can be difficult to pay for therefore reducing the exposure, opportunities, and development for our youth. With these limitations, it is also difficult to recruit and secure teen and adult leaders for overnight programs.
The 4-H Camping Program is the largest of the 4-H programs in Casey County. The program is heavily promoted and advertised with youth consistently asking about it.
To achieve a high level of participation, 4-H Camp was a constant topic of discussion during 4-H In-School Clubs (for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades) especially in the spring. Older 4-H Campers and 4-H Teen Council members visited 24 elementary school classrooms, spoke about their 4-H Camp experience, discussed what camp had to offer and taught a song/dance to the students. The entire 4th and 5th grade attended a Environmental Education Camp; 5th grade in the fall (make-up from missing it last year) and 4th grade in the spring.
The 4-H Camp Leaders hosted a 4-H Camp-a-Palooza to recruit campers as well as provide leading/teaching experience. The event drew in over 60 participants providing a great camp experience on the county level.
Casey County 4-H held a raffle at the 2024 Casey County Apple Festival to raise funds to lower the initial cost of camp. Almost $2000 were raised providing a $75 discount to the first 60 campers registered. The camping program also applied and received a $2500 grant to lower the initial cost to an additional 30 campers. In January, community members and businesses receive a letter requesting donations to help further reduce the cost of camp to those families who apply. Additional funds were donated from community members helping the high volume of families in need. The Casey County 4-H Camping Program received over $5000 to help support our campers.
The 2025 4-H Camp Year is working toward another record-breaking year! Through extensive camp promotion and recruitment, Casey County had its highest attendance registered to date with 150 total participants: 121 Campers, 4 CITs, 11 Junior Counselors, and 13 Adult Counselors. 65% are first-time campers (79 out of 121)! There were also 5 (out of 13) Adult Counselors, and 4 (out of 9) Counselors who were first-timers.
Casey County 4-H also has 11 youth and 2 Adult Counselors registered for 4-H Cloverbud Camp. This is the highest registration in county history.
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“In Kentucky, 25.5% of youth ages 10-17 have obesity, giving Kentucky a ranking of 2 among the 5- st... Read More
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The Casey County 4-H Program in collaboration with the University of Kentucky Robert Wood Johnson Fo... Read More
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