Each year, Scotland County 4-H helps youth, ages 8-14 participate in 4-H residential camp. 4-H residential camp offers a six-day overnight excursion in which youth participate in co-ed activity groups according to age and activity groups stay together throughout the day, participating in various camp activities and sharing meal times. 4-H residential camp costs $420 per child which includes meals, lodging, insurance, a camp t-shirt and $15 camp store money. $420 may be a hardship for many children and families, especially, families with more than one child between the ages of 8-14. Some parents are forced to choose between sending one child and alternating the child per year while others may be able to take advantage of the layaway payment plan offered by Scotland County 4-H.

To make 4-H residential camp affordable, Angela D. Galloway, Extension Agent of 4-H Youth Development:
•Applies grant funds to the registration to reduce the cost of camp from $420 to $200 per child
•Set-up the camp layaway payment plan option
•Hosts events in which youth may earn 4-H Bucks that are in-house funds earned by volunteering at specified events, participating in county activity day, submitting 4-H project record books, 4-H portfolios, and AIRE applications. The 4-H Bucks are applied to balances of registered events. For instance, if an event costs $15 and the youth earned $10 4-H Bucks, the youth will only owe $5.

Over the past five years, there has been a decrease of participation at 4-H residential camp as families are forced to prioritize spending. 4-H residential camp is not only a getaway for youth, it provides several developmental skills. The benefits of camp are life-long and carry-over to home-life upon the camper’s return to home. Some of the benefits of camp include:
•Less risk in which the campers have a sense of community, develop intergenerational relationships and learn through first-hand experiences
•Increases awareness of the value of people through respect, honesty, caring and sharing, understand the strength of mankind and develop an appreciation for the qualities required to protect fragile relationships
•Learn leadership through involvement with adult role models who ensure each camper feels loved and capable in a supervised, positive environment that has safety as a primary commitment
•Develop character as their presence at camp encourages the understanding the importance of giving, right from wrong and accepting responsibility
•Campers are amongst a community of caring adults who nurture experiential education that results in self-respect and appreciation for human value of self-worth, self-esteem, leadership, self-respect and build personal competencies
•Campers must make their own decisions, solve problems, and manage their resources without the help of family. They gain a better appreciation of family members by learning how to become more responsible.
•Campers develop independent living skills

Ultimately, youth who are involved with 4-H cultivate connections with the world while developing the necessary skills to become successful, independent, contributing and caring citizens of our world.

Although, there are great outcomes for youth who attend 4-H residential camp, the reduced cost of $200 may prove to be too difficult for Scotland County 4-H families. Mr. Leon Butler, chairman of the Scotland County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council inquired cause of why parents are unable to send youth. Funds is the most stated cause. He then presented a document to the Knights of Columbus as a possible project to fund. The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization founded in 1882. The Knights of Columbus’ motto is “in service to one, in service to all”. Mr. Carl Daniels, the Grand Knight and Mr. Robert Robbins, both of the Knights of Columbus Council-Laurinburg Chapter presented Scotland County 4-H with a $600 check to offer camp scholarships for youth and families. The Council chose to support Scotland County youth at one of their monthly fish dinner sales that is hosted every first Thursday of each month at the St. Mary Catholic Church, 800 South Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

“I am truly grateful for the generosity of the Knights of Columbus Council 9030, as I received not just a check but an opportunity for Scotland County youth to experience the impact 4-H residential camp will have on their lives. I recall my experience at 4-H residential camp, the relationships I built and the character and independence I gained as I met and interacted with peers from across the state. I am excited this opportunity and unforgettable experience will be available for Scotland County youth”, stated Angela D. Galloway.

Throughout the week at 4-H residential camp, campers, ages 8-14 enjoy daily activities with their coed groups. These include swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, climbing at the climbing wall, archery, arts and crafts, hiking, environmental studies as well as other fun-filled activities. The older groups participate in teambuilding and high ropes elements as well. Evening programs consist of a Talent Show, Land/Water Sports, Campfires, Awards Ceremonies, and Dances. Two advanced groups, Adventurers (ages 12-14) and Trekkers (ages 13-14), enjoy adventure based programming both on and off camp. Although they do not participate in “traditional” camp activities the Adventurers learn outdoor living skills, high ropes, orienteering and camp two nights out at an outpost site on property. They will also learn about Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geo-caching. The Trekkers participate in high adventure camp activities. These youths spend their time at camp learning canoeing and rock climbing skills, and then travel off-site for a canoeing and rock climbing adventure. Enrollment is limited in both groups and is filled on a first come first served basis.

Scotland County youth are eligible to apply for a 4-H residential camp scholarship that will provide transportation to and from camp, camp registration, lodging, all meals at camp, camp store money and a camp t-shirt to commemorate their camp experience. Parents and guardians will be responsible to pay $50. Youth will be required to get a physical prior to camp. Scholarship applications must be submitted to the Scotland County Cooperative Extension Center, 231 East Cronly Street, Suite 800, Laurinburg, NC 28352 no later than Friday, June 22, 2018. If selected, the $50 must be paid by Friday, July 13, 2018. The $50 may be paid in smaller payments, however, the balance must be paid by the deadline.

If more information is needed, please visit our website at Scotland.ces.ncsu.edu to download and complete the 4-H enrollment form, camp scholarship application and 4-H health form (required for camp). These forms may be picked up at the Scotland County Cooperative Extension Center too. You may contact Angela D. Galloway, Extension Agent of 4-H Youth Development at (910) 277-2422 for more information.

4-H Camp Scholarship Application 2018