Youth and teen participation in 4-H Camping program in Russell County has increased steadily over the past fifteen years.  From published research by West Virginia Extension in the Journal of Extension, 4-H camp has been shown to teach valuable leadership skills such as working well with others, working as a member of a team, leading a group, taking charge of an activity, knowing how to prepare and lead an activity, sharing leadership with others, and knowing how to implement responsibilities.  

In 2005, a fifth grade student filled out the forms to attend 4-H camp for the first time.  She attended every year thereafter beginning as a camper.  She then applied to be a counselor-in-training and later a teen leader.After her first year in college, she applied to be on 4-H camp staff and continued to work at 4-H camp each summer for the past five years.  Knowing that she had camping experience and a higher education degree that would comply with the job description, she applied to work at Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp in a full-time position.  She has often said that 4-H camp has felt like her home.  In a recent Facebook post where she announced her employment, she indicated that this employment opportunity was a dream come true and wanted to make “HOME” the best it can be.  She was generous in a compliment to the Russell Co. 4-H program and agent by saying that, “I would never be at this point without you!”  The 4-H program can definitely impact the journey of young people and affect their lives in a positive way.