The Knox County 4-H Council and Knox County Extension District Board recognizes the importance of 4-H summer camp. 4-H summer camp helps youth develop skills that can used throughout their life. The Targeting Life Skills Model (Hendricks, 1998) highlights 35 life skills developed in 4-H programs to help youth succeed. At our 4-day summer camp, we specifically focused on skills like independence, teamwork and increasing knowledge.

Extension staff held four camp counselor training courses for our teen counselors and two training courses for our adults ensuring that our 25 volunteers were adequately prepared. Trainings focused on recognizing the characteristics of the youth they work with, recognizing homesickness and bullying, and dealing with issues that arise. Our leaders were also taught how to help campers practice communication, independence, and positive self-esteem during camp.  

Participants:

In total, Knox County had 100 youth and adults attending camp including 73 campers, 19 teen volunteers, 6 adults and 4 Extension staff.

While at camp, youth practiced interpersonal communication by working within their teams in challenges and games, expressing their ideas to others and interacting in the cabins. Youth learned about service by doing kitchen duties like sweeping, cleaning tables and camp clean up. They often gained independence by taking care of their own supplies, money and making their beds. Finally, campers successfully participating in classes like rock climbing, canoeing, archery and more. Many of these activities were led or supervised by Extension volunteers. Our volunteers are vital to making our 4-H camping program successful

 According to an end-of-camp survey:

1. 90% of campers stated that the camp counselors were kind to them and provided support when needed
2. 95% of campers stated that their camp counselors encouraged them to share ideas
3. 96% of campers stated that teen & adult counselors made sure that they had what they needed to successfully complete activites.

When asked why she attends 4-H Camp as a volunteer, adult leader, Brittany Scott, stated "I have wonderful memories of attending 4-H camp as a child. I want to foster that spark in my children and other children"