In an extension study of 4-H camp, youth indicated their participation helped them acquire life skills, most of all in making new friends, developing new skills, and gaining independence and the ability to take care of themselves. Parents and guardians identified significant gains in their children in the areas of responsibility for actions, work responsibility, and increasing initiative as a self-starter (Garst & Bruce, 2003). At the close of the 2019 Oldham County Camping session, campers indicated 80% learned a new skill while at camp, 86% made their own decisions while at camp and 84% worked with people different from themselves. All valuable life skills campers developed at 4-H Camp.

Over the past four years, the Oldham County 4-H Council focused on increasing camp participation, targeting fourth and fifth graders in the county’s elementary schools. For several years Oldham County has been unable to accommodate the demand for camper attendance, the goal was for the county to have its own camp week. In 2018, that dream became a reality for Oldham County. 

The Oldham County 4-H Camp program continues to grow with 319 attending in 2018, which was a substantial over the 224 members who attended in 2014. Oldham County 4-H raised over $12,510 to help support camp transportation, classes, and scholarships. Funds were secured from businesses, schools, civic groups, faith based groups, clientele, Foundations and the Extension District Board.

Many have grown up in the 4-H camping program, experiencing life as a camper, teen leader, and now as an adult leader.  Oldham County is also proud to have had 3 individuals who grew up in 4-H employed as a Camp Interns during the 2018 summer camping season.

Garst, B. A., & Bruce, F. A. (2003). Identifying 4-H camping outcomes using a standardized evaluation process across multiple 4-H educational centers. Journal of Extension [online], 41(3) Article 3RIB2. Available at: https://www.joe.org/joe/2003june/rb2.php