4-H emphasizes youth development in areas of healthy living, citizenship, STEM, agriculture and many others.  According to Mark Mains, Assistant Director of 4-H Youth Development, “For many youth in Kentucky, 4-H Camp is their first exposure to all that 4-H Youth Development can offer.”  Attending camp, for some youth, is their first-time away from home, and allows them to explore all the various facets of 4-H Youth Development.  Because we know that 4-H camp helps build citizenship skills, as well as, interest and skills in areas such as swimming, archery, arts, and the like, it is important to allow as many as possible youth to attend camp and have such exposure to 4-H programming.  

For the 2019 camping season Breathitt County FCS Extension Agent, Kayla Watts, in partnership with ANR Agent, Reed Graham, recruited, organized, and attended 4-H camp with 62 youth from Breathitt County.  Not only were there 62 youth present from Breathitt County, but the Agents were able to recruit 6 adult volunteers plus teen councilors to assist in this adventure.  Camp enthusiasm increased from the previous year with over 40 of the 62 attending, signing up less than a week’s time!

Some of the successes of 4-Hcamp could be recorded through student comments.  One student stated, “I’ve worked all week to climb the rock-wall and repel, and I finally did it!  I conquered my fears!”  Another student commented, “I really liked getting to meet kids from other places.” One of the best student statements was, “I cannot wait to come back next year.”. Students indicated they liked camp and many of them indicated they would like to return next summer.  Too, students indicated to the Agents that they would like to learn more and be more involved in 4-H.

4-H Youth Development offers programming and leadership development in several areas of interest.  Avenues of introduction to such programming, attending 4-H Camp, is important so that youth can learn more about the 4-H organization and grow to be more independent community citizens.  Exposure to positive influences and positive experiences is essential to shape positive youth.  This summer, Breathitt County youth had the experience of such exposure, which, in return, will last them a lifetime.