According to the American Camp Association, camp is a continuation of the social skill development that begins at birth and spans the life cycle.  Furthermore Kentucky 4-H promotes 4-H camp as a place for youth to explore their interests and passions surrounded by Kentucky’s natural resources.  Plus, they meet caring adults and teen volunteers who are committed to their success, ensuring each youth feels safe and helping them feel that they belong.  4-H Camp is part of their individual story of learning, growing and developing into positive, caring, productive adults.

The excitement for 4-H Camp has grown steadily over the last seven years.  Camp enrollment reached its second all-time high of 145 for Montgomery County after its highest mark in 2024. Spaces filled for both sides of camp (boys and girls) within hours of the registration window opening in early March. 

And once again, those numbers tell the impact that camp provides through its structured, extracurricular activities where youth are engaged with friends and have adult emotional support due to the time and care-commitment of volunteer adults who serve as mentors at camp. It makes a difference to the campers. According to the American Camping Association, as these positive relationships predict happiness, the camp environment provides an ideal setting to improve happiness due to the focus on building positive relationships. Children at summer camp have ample daily opportunities to connect with other people and therefore are "happy campers." In turn, happy campers make it their goal to return to camp because of the positive, supportive and fun environment.  The numerous life lessons that happen daily at summer camp add to the happiness and the success of each camper.  Camp truly is an important part of the youth development process.