The Hustle & Bustle before 4-H Camp

Five days, four nights of cabins, non-stop activities, games, giggling, and fun! With over six months of preparation these days have been carefully thought out to a theme, and the counselors have had training to meet American Camping Association (ACA) standards.

Each counselor completes 24 hours of training including the history of camping, youth protection, child abuse, supervision, developmental stages of children, behavior management, homesickness, diversity, basic healthcare of campers, and emergency procedures. These skills help the counselors prepare for many of the challenges they face as a surrogate parent in the 4-H camp environment. Counselors are prepared to handle a whole array of situations. Throughout the camp adults help counselors work with youth and handle especially tough situations of homesickness.  While at camp our counselors help kids learn at sessions, teach crafting, dancing, put together their planned activities, and inspire the creative minds of those youth who are at camp to have fun, but to also experience new things.

On top of all of the training counselors must also plan camp. They choose a theme, select sessions for youth to participate in, plan large group activities, campfire skits, and build decorations for their cabin, and the other areas of camp. This year our theme is Dr. Suess!

Once the planning has begun we start putting it all together. For the last two weeks the Extension Office has looked like a mini-art studio with paint, yarn, glitter glue, and paper. For the past two weeks I have been blessed to have a number of very hard working counselors in our office putting the final touches together and working collaboratively to make camp the best it can possibly be! In last few hours we have carefully packed our trailer, and the office seems to be returning to a state of normalcy…until fair that is.

Next time you hear someone tell you that they are a 4-H Camp Counselor remember one thing: the youth standing in front of you has worked hard to be able to work with youth, is American Camping Association certified, and has the trust of me and my staff, and is highly responsible.