Outdoor Activities such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, and much more are just a few of the more popular hobbies that many individuals enjoy as the temperatures begin to warm up throughout the spring and summer.

The Lincoln County 4-H Youth Development Agent collaborated with 4-H Youth Development Agents from Garrard, Madison, Scott and Casey Counties, and the Camp Director for Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp to plan, recruit and implement the first Kentucky 4-H Outdoor Adventure Camp May 2-3, 2025. This 2-day 1 night event was packed with information and classes so that youth almost 50 youth from across the many counties could learn skills that might help them throughout various situations in the outdoors.

This event had many expert guest instructors and partners to help make this a success, the instructors were from The Kentucky Reptile Zoo and The Nature Reliance School, one of the partners was Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Kentucky Reptile Zoo did a presentation on native reptiles in our state, discussed their habitat, and their nutritional needs. 

The Nature Reliance School had three instructors attend, and instruct while there, their classes included: Fire Building, Shelter Building, Compass/Land Navigation, and Tracking. These classes were hands on, and the youth were able to practice these new skills throughout the class with various activities.

The 4-H Youth Development Agents helped with instruction as well, the classes they led were: Mammals, Plant/ Tree ID, Sounds at Night, and Food Dehydration. 

The Group was surveyed by a show of hands on what they liked most which was, Fire Building, Shelter Building, Fishing, Tracking, and The Reptile Zoo. The participants wanted to learn more about tracking, finding or making drinkable water, and knot tying to name a few.

After the positive feedback from guest instructors, and participants the group of 4-H Youth Development Agents, is excited and looking forward to many more Outdoor Adventure Camps and making this an opportunity for Kentucky 4-H Members statewide.