Success Story4-H Camp Numbers on the Rise
4-H Camp Numbers on the Rise
Author: Melissa Schenck
Planning Unit: Washington County CES
Major Program: Camping
Plan of Work: Increasing life skills education and leadership excellence for youth and families
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
This summer, Washington County 4-H made history with its most successful 4-H Camp experience to date. A total of 77 campers and leaders attended Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp—shattering the previous record of 63 and marking an inspiring milestone in youth engagement for the county.
This record attendance was made possible through months of planning, enthusiastic community support, and intentional efforts to create inclusive opportunities for all youth. One of the most impactful components was the expansion of the Teen Counselor Program, which allowed older 4-H members to serve as mentors and role models for younger campers. This program not only builds leadership skills, but also strengthens the 4-H community by fostering meaningful, peer-led connections.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and fundraising efforts, over $5,000 was raised to provide partial scholarships to every camper. In addition, two teen counselors received full scholarships, allowing at-risk youth to participate in a transformative leadership opportunity they might not have otherwise had.
One teen counselor shared, “Each year, I’m thankful for 4-H Camp because it’s a place I always know I’m safe and wanted.” This powerful sentiment captures the heart of what 4-H Camp is all about—creating a supportive, welcoming environment where every child can thrive.
As Washington County 4-H continues to grow, the success of this year’s camp is a clear reminder of the impact that committed volunteers, generous donors, and strong youth programming can make in the lives of young people.
Stories by Melissa Schenck

New Year, New DayCamp
After two years of limited in-person interaction the desire was high for interactive, hands-on progr... Read More
Washington County Represented at Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference
The 98th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 14-17, 2022... Read More
Stories by Washington County CES

Heifer Development Day
One of the most expensive aspects of a cow-calf operation is raising replacement heifers for your he... Read More

Horticulture How To: Growing Corn For Meal
Since the pandemic there has been an increase in interest in Washington County on developing life sk... Read More
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment