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 Henderson county recruited, organized, and attended 4-H camp with 132 youth.  Not only were there 132 youth present from Henderson County, but 14 teens and 9 adults were recruited and trained for the camping week for a total of 157 attendees from camp including the Henderson County 4-H Agent and Intern. Camp enthusiasm increased from the previous year with 29 more campers attending camp! Within the past five camping seasons Henderson’s camping numbers have grown from 30 campers in 2015 to 132 in summer 2019! 

Some of the successes of 4-Hcamp could be recorded through student and parent’s comments.  One parent said, “Thank you all for an amazing experience! You all are top-notch. My daughter LOVES 4H camp!” Another parent said, “This was my son’s first time being away from home and there were a few tears shed (both he and I), but it was an unforgettable experience that he will have with him forever. I’m so happy for him and thankful to the staff for making it all possible. I look forward to him being able to have more wonderful experiences with 4H. ????” Another parent of an experienced campers said, “Check-in, luggage drop went well this am! Thank you 4H staff/ extension office staff (everyone was helping) and  Allie Brasher for managing the group of volunteers! Controlled chaos- Have a great camp week.” After the camp week was over several campers said they could not wait to come back next year. One camper said a few days after camp that she would spend all summer at camp, she loved the experience! 

Several campers and parents inquired throughout the week and at the end of the camp week how they could get involved in 4-H back in Henderson County and we have two campers with little to no 4-H experience that have already signed up for the upcoming Henderson 4-H Day Camp!  

Not only did campers have a rewarding experience at 4-H Camp, several new teens stepped up into a new teen leadership role for the first time at 4-H Camp. Many of them had been attending camp for several years but had aged out of being camper and now wanted to step up and give back to the camping program that they loved. It was incredible to see the growth from their first year as a camper to becoming a teen counselor at camp! 

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, Henderson County youth had the experience of such exposure, which, in return, will last them a lifetime.