4-H Camp this year was an unforgettable experience filled with both challenges and triumphs that showcased the strength, dedication, and resilience of the County Extension Staff (CES). Facing a tight timeline, the CES onboarded three brand new support staff members who had to be trained quickly on the intricate operations of 4-H Camp. The pressure was intense, with a long checklist of responsibilities including training 58 adult volunteers and over 20 junior counselors, conducting interviews and background checks, organizing camper applications, assigning cabins, and building detailed daily schedules. Just when everything seemed to be falling into place, the CES was hit with a major curveball—a last-minute notice that the pool would be closed for the entire camp week. 

Despite this disruption, the team quickly pivoted, reorganizing the schedule and making sure campers still had a fun and engaging experience. What could have unraveled the program instead became a powerful testament to teamwork, adaptability, and leadership. The CES was absolutely blown away by the dedication and professionalism of the new support staff, who jumped in with confidence, kept things organized, and proved themselves to be invaluable assets. Through all the stress and last-minute changes, every employee learned from the 4-H Agents just how deeply important this camp is for the children—it’s more than just a week away; it’s a life-changing experience. 

For the youth of Madison County, 4-H Camp is a place where they feel a true sense of belonging, where they are accepted for who they are, and where they’re encouraged to step out of their comfort zones. It offers them opportunities to build positive relationships with caring adults, learn new life skills, and achieve personal goals—whether it’s conquering the rock wall, learning to shoot a rifle or bow, catching their first fish, or simply making new friends. 

That sentiment was echoed in camper feedback, with 90% saying they enjoyed camp despite the extreme heat, 89% reporting they made a new friend, and an incredible 98% expressing happiness about attending and excitement for next year. With all this, CES celebrated its second-highest camper turnout on record—a true testament to the team’s hard work, the resilience of the staff, and the life-changing impact 4-H Camp has on the youth of Madison County.