The need to recruit and retain middle school youth in the 4-H program has been expressed on the county, district, and state level.  The District 3 4-H agents planned a 2 day District 4-H Middle School Retreat for youth in grades 6-8 to be held at North Central 4-H Camp in December. Two districts in the state participated. A total of 51 youth attended, 6 agents, 1 program assistant, 7 adult volunteers, and 3 teen volunteers. 

Campbell County 4-H publicized the retreat and focused on youth in that age group who attend 4-H camp in the summer. 18 youth from Campbell County signed up and attended the retreat. One male adult volunteer attended as well as a Program Assistant and 4-H Agent.

Campers participated in various leadership sessions provided by the Campbell County 4-H agent and assistant. The campers also spent time sewing curtains for the camp cabins as part of a service project. Some had never operated a sewing machine before and enjoyed learning those skills as well as helping out with the need. 

This event will be the group who will receive information about 4-H Summit for the first wave of delegates. We discussed the Summit with them at the retreat and they all seemed interested in going.

One mother messaged after the retreat that her son had a great time and he plans on wearing his socks he bought at the camp store and his retreat t-shirt to school the next week.