Success Story4-H Camp & 4-H Camp Scholarship Fund



4-H Camp & 4-H Camp Scholarship Fund

Author: Meagan Klee

Planning Unit: Casey County CES

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

Plan of Work: Enhancing Personal Development through Leadership and Healthy Life Skills and Practices

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

4-H Camp provides the opportunity for youth to experience time away from home, meet new people, and learn life skills. The youth attending 4-H Camp participate in activities that focus on teamwork, physical activity, and personal development.

In Casey County, due to a low household income, a large percentage of students qualify for free or reduce lunch. This can make it extremely difficult for families to pay for their children to attend 4-H Camp. As the Casey County 4-H program grows, so does the attendance at 4-H Camp. The youth understand that their attendance at camp depends greatly upon the availability of scholarships. These scholarships would not be available if it were not for the financial support of community sponsors and grant funding. Youth who wish to have sponsorship must fill out a scholarship application. This application is reviewed by the 4-H Camp Scholarship Committee and half and full scholarships are awarded.

4-H Camp is one of the most popular 4-H activities in Casey County, with youth asking about camp all year long. To keep youth and their parents well-informed, 4-H Camp dates are publicized as soon as they are set. The dates are included in the Casey County 4-H monthly newsletter and are discussed with youth during club meetings and other 4-H activities. Save-the-date cards are sent to the youth who had attended 4-H Camp in the past as well as those who have checked they are interested in 4-H Camp on their enrollment form.  

The leader (Counselors-In-Training, Teen & Adult Leaders) training was held at the Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp. Leaders toured the camp grounds and were trained on the 10 modules for 4-H Camp Leaders. After lunch, the leaders had an opportunity to swim in the swimming pool. This was the second time this training was offered with its largest attendance.

One volunteer taught 11 classes focusing on easy, healthy snacks for the campers.

In July, Casey County had 63 people attend 4-H Camp; 38 campers, 10 CITs, 7 teens, 7 adults, and 1 agent. With the generous donation of $3,450 from community members and businesses and $250 in grant funds from United Way, Casey County was able to provide financial support to every camper who applied for assistance. While at camp, the scholarship recipients write thank you notes to the sponsors, thanking them for the financial assistance and telling their sponsor a little bit about their 4-H Camp experience. After returning from camp, these notes are mailed to the sponsors along with a group picture of the campers. The sponsors are also recognized in the Casey County 4-H newsletter. Many of the campers return to camp year after year and have the goal of being a CIT and Teen Leader.






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