Close Resources

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryTransforming Youth through 4-H Camp 2025



Transforming Youth through 4-H Camp 2025

Author: Genaea Sarantakos

Planning Unit: Hopkins County CES

Major Program: Camping

Plan of Work: Improving Basic Lifeskills, Well-being, and Quality of Life

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Youth in Hopkins County, Kentucky face significant challenges that can hinder their emotional, academic, and social development. Nearly 30% of children in the area live in poverty, with many lacking access to safe, structured enrichment programs. Educational achievement is also a concern—only 47% of elementary, 36% of middle, and 44% of high school students meet reading proficiency. Additionally, local youth experience the compounding effects of trauma, mental health struggles, economic instability, and a need for inclusive environments where they feel a sense of belonging.

To address these challenges, the Hopkins County 4-H program offered a week-long Kentucky 4-H Camp experience designed to meet both developmental and community needs. In collaboration with trained Extension agents, adult volunteers, local school partners, and Behavioral Health Fellows, the program incorporated intentional, research-based strategies to promote emotional well-being, academic support, skill development, and social inclusion.

Campers participated in hands-on activities including STEM experiments, archery, ropes courses, creative arts, and agricultural education. Embedded throughout were educational components such as service-learning projects, leadership workshops, and team-building games. Teen counselors—many of whom had once been campers themselves—served as mentors and program leaders, gaining leadership and workforce-readiness skills in the process.

 

The program engaged 112 youth from Hopkins County, including 12 teen counselors, and 16 adult volunteers. The participants represented a broad cross-section of the Hopkins County community, with targeted outreach to underserved and minority youth. Scholarship funds and transportation support ensured that youth from low-income families were able to attend.

 

Post-camp evaluations and observation data revealed significant, measurable outcomes among participants:

  1. 92% of campers reported feeling more confident meeting new people and trying new things, demonstrating improvements in social-emotional development and self-esteem.
  2. 85% of teen counselors noted growth in their public speaking, responsibility, and leadership abilities, with several expressing increased motivation to pursue college or careers in service fields.
  3. 75% of campers indicated greater interest in school subjects—especially science and leadership—after engaging in hands-on STEM and team-based activities.
  4. Behavioral Health Fellows documented increased peer support, emotional resilience, and positive coping skills among youth who had previously struggled with trauma or anxiety.
  5. A majority of youth (88%) reported that they felt included and valued at camp, contributing to a stronger sense of belonging and cultural appreciation.

These outcomes underscore the transformational impact of Kentucky 4-H Camp in addressing both individual development and community-wide challenges. Youth left camp not only with lifelong memories, but with strengthened life skills, emotional tools, and a deeper connection to their peers and community.






Stories by Genaea Sarantakos


2024 4-H Issues Conference

2024 4-H Issues Conference

about 5 months ago by Genaea Sarantakos

This year, Fayette County had the pleasure of supporting two delegates for the 2024 Issues Conferenc... Read More


Creative Technology at William Wells Brown Elementary

Creative Technology at William Wells Brown Elementary

about 8 months ago by Genaea Sarantakos

Fayette County 4-H established a relationship with William Wells Brown Elementary in 2023 with 4th g... Read More


Stories by Hopkins County CES


Gardening Series Increases Knowledge on Growing Vegetables

Gardening Series Increases Knowledge on Growing Vegetables

about 2 months ago by Erika Wood

A gardening lunch and learn series was conducted at the Hopkins County Extension Office over the cou... Read More


Master Gardener Calendar Provides Educational Gardening Resource

Master Gardener Calendar Provides Educational Gardening Resource

about 2 months ago by Erika Wood

For over a decade, the Pennyroyal Master Gardener Association has created a gardening calendar avail... Read More


Stories by Camping


4-H Camp

4-H Camp

about 22 hours ago by Dana Anderson

The mission of Kentucky 4-H Camping is to enhance personal growth through intentional life skills de... Read More


From Campfire to Community: Shaping Youth Through 4-H Camp

From Campfire to Community: Shaping Youth Through 4-H Camp

about 7 days ago by Carissa Miske

Character Counts defines character as “the summation of a persons habits, attitudes, and attributes.... Read More