Pendleton County 4-H has worked over the past 8 years to build a program in the natural resources and environmental education for its youth.  Opportunities provided and expanded include overnight and day 4-H Environmental Camps for fourth and fifth grade students, participation with the NRESci Academy State 4-H program, Junior Master Gardener, and the 4-H Wildlife & Wood Expo.  Efforts to provide these opportunities have involved collaboration with teachers and school administrators, camping directors and staff, and Kentucky 4-H State Specialists.  Furthermore, funds have been solicited from multiple sources including local businesses, the Pendleton County Soil Conservation Board, the Pendleton County 4-H Council, and the Pendleton County District Board to financially support programming efforts and make student involvement more affordable. 

There have been nearly 970 fourth grade students complete the 4-H Environmental Camping program utilizing the North Central 4-H Campground over the past 8 years which includes 79% of all eligible Pendleton County fourth graders during that time frame.  In 2019 alone, 98% of all Pendleton fourth graders and 48% of all Pendleton County fifth graders attended camp for environmental education.  These individuals consisted of males and females of all races and ethnicities.  During this exciting, educational, and networking opportunity, students learn and expand on their science, natural resource, and conservation knowledge.  They interact with birds, view real reptiles, experience nature, study soil types, and explore water and wetland life, just to name a few.  Camp is also a time where students acquire social and interactive skills, responsibility, and teamwork.  Every year, the 4-H agent works with the school teachers and administration in developing letters, applications, orientations, and schedules for each environmental camping experience.  Furthermore, the 4-H agent communicates with the North Central Camp Director and staff in securing dates and finalizing schedule details for meals, times, and camp staff instructors.  Additional correspondence are made with University of Kentucky 4-H State Specialists, environmental educators, and Pendleton County teen and adult volunteers all of who serve as instructors through several of the class rotations for each 4-H Environmental Camping opportunity.  Week long 4-H Summer Camp (also held at North Central 4-H Campground) has increased in number every year since the start of 4-H Environmental Camp.  This expansion for the Pendleton County 4-H Camping program brought numbers to 137 for 2019 which is the largest group in the county’s camping history.   

The NRESci Academy is a three-year program designed to teach youth about their natural environment. In the program, scholars participate in hands-on investigations to learn about Kentucky’s natural resources.   This newly founded board was established in 2017.  Pendleton County had 2 individuals selected at that time.  A couple years later, Pendleton had 2 additional youth get accepted with NRESci Academy in 2019 and are serving their first year of the 3 year commitment.   Two more youth have submitted applications and will begin their 3 year journey in the fall of 2020.

Pendleton County sent a group of 4-Hers to the 4-H Wildlife and Wood Expo in September 2019.  During this event, youth learned about Kentucky forest, wildlife, and insects.   They heard from professions within University of Kentucky’s Forestry and Natural Resources Department, Kentucky’s Fish and Wildlife as well as the US Forest Service.  As a result, youth are excited about continuing their education in wildlife and forestry in 2020.  Furthermore, a local volunteer who attended with the group has begun the process of becoming a leader for this area of 4-H within Pendleton County.