The Kentucky 4-H Program holds the mission of improving people through intentional life skill development. Annually, camping programs across the state serves 25,000 guests at the four camp camps located across the state. West Kentucky 4-H Camp, located in Dawson Springs, KY, is the home to the Christian County 4-H Summer Residential Camping Program. Last year, West Kentucky 4-H Camp served 2,131 campers, volunteers, and staff. A goal for Christian County is to continue to rebuild the local program to contribute and grow West Kentucky 4-H Camp’s number each year.

In 2017, Christian County hosted six teen leaders and extension staff, four counselors in training and adult leaders, and 63 campers, totaling to a camp group of 83 people. Until this year’s current camping season, 2017 was the largest growth Christian County had seen for its summer camping program. This year, 2018, Christian County has surpassed last year’s milestone numbers, and has set a new record for its camping program! For the 2018 camping season Christian County increased its camper numbers by 36%, counselor in training numbers by 50%, teen counselor numbers by 33% and adult counselor numbers by 100%. Overall the camping program experienced a growth of 37% for the 2018 summer camp season.

From the grown experienced above, 30% of the camp group numbers can be attributed to retaining campers and volunteers. For the next camp season, it is a county goal to retain the new campers who camped this year, contribute larger numbers to West Kentucky’s overall summer camp numbers, and continue to grow the Christian County 4-H Summer Camp program.