Regardless of their age, all children have four basic needs. In 4-H, we believe that meeting these four basic needs is critical for fostering a successful and meaningful learning environment. We call these basic needs the Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development. They are belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.

4-H camp is an opportunity to have an inclusive 4-H experience that addresses all 4 elements.  In June 2019, Nelson County 4-H took 234 campers, 40 teen volunteers and 41 adult volunteers to 4-H summer camp at the Lake Cumberland 4-H camp.  35 youth were awarded scholarships through the generosity of 16 donors and civic organizations.  All campers attending benefited from donations with no cost to the acitivies while at camp.  The donations also supported civic engagement projects that the campers participated in.  

 233 campers and Counselor in Training  completed a post camp questionnaire that addressed the essential elements.

Belonging- Positive relationship with a caring adult. An inclusive environment.  A safe environment.

• 98% of campers indicated that they met at least one caring and positive adult during their week of camp.
• 99% of Campers indicated that they made at least one new friend while at camp.
• 93% of campers interacted with someone different from themselves.

Mastery- Engagement in Learning. Opportunity for Mastery.

• 66% of campers indicated mastering a new skill while at camp.
• 72% of campers indicated that they accomplished something at camp that they did not think they could.

Independence- Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future. Opportunity for self-determination.

• 89% of campers plan to return next year.
• 73% of campers managed their own spending money.
• 96% of campers made decisions on their own at camp. 

Generosity -The opportunity to value and practice service for others.

• One portion of the camp program focused on introducing youth to service learning projects that may help them cultivate relationships with organizations in our community that rely on volunteer involvement. On the Monday of camp, youth were asked to share how they could make a difference in the world on note cards which were displayed in the dining hall for fellow campers to read throughout the week.  Campers shared ideas for addressing hunger, environmental issues, homelessness and many more issues that were important in their lives.  
• Campers completed 40 dental care kits and 10 port pillows for the Flaget Cancer Center.  They made 35 small fleece tie blankets and 30 braided dog toys for the Humane society and Barktown Rescue.  They complete 50 thank you gift bags and notes for local first responders.  Campers completed 10 fleece tied blankets for Room-in-the-inn our local homeless shelter.  They built 20 birdhouses for local nature centers and made 60 gifts for elders in long term care.  Campers assembled nutrition resources in re-usable shopping totes for homebound clients of the Bread for Life Food Bank.