4-H camp participation in Monroe County has a history of success. 2025 was no exception.  In fact, this year, we posted our second highest attendance!  The success of 4-H camp is not only seen by the number of attendees, but also by the number of counselors who have been past campers.  

This year, 90% of the teen and adult counselors attended camp as younger 4-H’er.  Out of 20 adult and teen counselors, 17 attended camp 4 or more years.  With such great experience, the adults and teens help the younger campers feel a sense of belonging and security.  Also, teens and adults help to encourage counselors in training to begin to develop their own leadership skills.  7 CITs attended camp this year, and of those, 6 say they plan to attend next year as a teen counselor.  Also, 14-year-old campers who have attended camp since age 9 expressed interest in becoming CITs in the future.  5 out of the 6 14-year-old campers would like to take on the leadership role of CIT next year.  

Campers learn many new skills at camp.  They grow socially and learn new responsibilities daily while at camp.   Watching them have these experiences is wonderful, but watching young teens and teen counselors grow into exceptional adult leaders has been very eye opening.  4-H camp is producing a wonderful number of young leaders who are not only being successful at 4-H camp, but they are sharing their experiences throughout the community and encouraging young 4-H’ers.