In 1998 the Harlan County Extension 4-H Program hosted a one day 4-H Environmental Camp held at Camp O’ Cumberland Scout Camp near Wallins.  Two schools attended bringing all their fourth grade classes.  There were four environment classes presented. What began as a one day affair grew to a two day 4-H Environmental Camp in 2000 held at Camp Blanton.  In 2001 the camp was held at Kingdom Come State Park, where it became a three day camp featuring seven presenters from different agencies across the county and state.   For the past eighteen years, the camp has been held at Martin’s Fork Lake.  The 22nd Annual 2019 4-H Environmental Camp was held September 4-6 and presenters included:  Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife, Kentucky Division of Air Quality, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture (Forestry), Kentucky Division of Forestry, Division of Soil and Resources, Recycling, and Stacy White, Whitley County Agriculture Agent. More than four hundred fourth and fifth graders from Black Mountain, Rosspoint, Cawood Elementary, Green Hill, Harlan Independent, Cumberland, Evarts, Wallins and James A Cawood Elementary Schools attended.

     According to teacher from past years, students learn best from hands-on experiences.  “Lab experiments and good textbooks are crucial instruments for learning about the environment, but nothing can replace the outdoors.  Learning from experts in their respective fields makes environmental education a true-to-life experience for students,” quoted a fourth grade teacher. Another teacher added, “And there couldn’t have been a more beautiful place for this camp to be held.  As the students went from agency to agency, they started noticing their surroundings more.   Some picked up leaves for a closer look, and some picked up walnuts.  It’s very important for our students to learn what goes on in their surrounding environment and to appreciate what they have here in the mountains.” According to some teachers, “The 4-H Environment Camp covers Core Content for Practical Living and Science, while exposing students to a variety of careers from expert presenters in their fields in Harlan County and in the state.  As teachers, this gives us a direct contact by being there and talking to these experts to bring them into our schools to present programs. Our students appreciate the natural beauty and resources of our area as a result of spending the day out doors.  Kids always look forward to going.  They have a good time learning while they are there.”