The camping program is designed to build youth development skills in multiple areas of mastery, independence, generosity, and belonging as well as increase individual interests, social aspects, and physical development. Younger members learn how to make decisions on their own and learn how to interact in a socially acceptable manner with other 4-H’ers, teens and adults. Junior counselors are given tremendous amounts of responsibility, and thus grow in their dependability, maturity, leadership and conflict resolution.  The Nicholas County camping program has grown significantly over the past 10 years. Nicholas County now averages 90 participants including youth, junior counselors and adult counselors. This is a large number when comparing the total population of Nicholas County which is round 7,130. This year we brought 74 campers, 11 junior counselors and five adults to summer camp. 

Our 4th graders also utilize the camping program with an Environmental Camp each fall. This year we had a total of 91 in attendance at Environmental Camp. This included 74 campers and 27 adults that were able to experience our facilities. The youth had the opportunity to build skills in canoeing, learn and dissect owl pellets, study birds and many other subjects. Also, many were able to stay away from home for the first time building independence and social skills.