4-H CAMP PROVIDES A LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE FOR YOUTH

SITUATION
Camp Susan has been a long standing tradition in Marathon County. This camp caters to our youngest 4-H members, those in grades K-4. The camp is a day and a half, overnight experience. Besides being a great experience for the campers, the camp is also an excellent education and leadership experience for the camp counselors. Camp Susan has been a fun experience for youth but it was lacking an educational component. Too much time at camp was being spent on crafts that were mainly kit oriented and the counselors were having a difficult time teaching the crafts. Camp also needed more youth leadership. The counselors were doing a great job, but were not involved in the planning process.

RESPONSE
Amber Brei, Marathon County 4-H Advisor began making changes to Camp Susan in 2007. The changes began with the education component at camp. The crafts at camp had a common theme and craft kits were not used. The camp counselors made teaching outlines so that they would be more prepared to lead activities at camp. One of the craft rotations was also replaced with a hands-on activity led by UW-Extension staff. To increase youth leadership at camp in 2008, a junior director position was created. The junior director worked closely with staff to plan camp counselor training and acted as the go to person for camp counselors. The junior director and camp counselors worked together to prepare activities for camp. 

RESULTS
The Camp Counselors have become more organized in leading and teaching activities at camp. The teaching outlines have helped them to be more prepared. The junior director position has been very helpful in getting camp counselors more enthusiastic and the junior director has taken on more of the organizational responsibilities and leadership of camp.

EVIDENCE
Counselors have taken more of a leadership role in the planning process of camp. The junior director position gave counselors a role model and more ownership of the camp program to youth. Parents have commented that the crafts and activities have been more creative and educational.

Amber Brei, 4-H/Youth Development Program Advisor - 2008 Success Story

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