As the weather turns warmer and the school year winds down, many families’ thoughts turn to what to do with the long summer break.  While there is a wide variety of activities for youth, there is nothing that matches the magic, fun, and personal growth that happens at Summer Camp.  Our 4-H Camping program at Camp Overlook focuses on Positive Youth Development (PYD).   PYD Programs seek to empathize with, educate, and engage children in productive activities. Did you know that 4’Hers are 4 times more likely than their peers to give back to their community?  That is no happy accident!  At camp we are intentional in our program, helping campers understand their role, place, and value in our community.

The 4-H mottos “to Make the Best Better” reflects the positive youth development approach of 4-H. Positive youth development stresses building on the strengths that campers already have, rather than on the prevention of possible youth problems. The focus on PYD began when researchers realized the importance of empowering youth in their own development through relationships with peers, mentors, family, school and community. We see this in the way that 4-H Camps empower youth to be active participants in our program through problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership skills, and of course, fun. Our 4-H Camping program focuses on positive and sustained relationships between youth and young adults, activities that build important life skills, and opportunities for youth to use these skills as participants and leaders in valued community activities at camp.

4-H is a community of seven million young people around the world learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Interested in coming to 4-H Camp this summer?  There are some last minute spaces available for this summer, but don’t delay as weeks are filling fast! Visit www.4hcampoverlook.org to sign up. Or you can call our office at 518.483.4769.