An investigation of 4-H camping programs in the United States and their contribution to the growth and development of youth

Typescript (photocopy).This study has been conducted to help state 4-H coordinators realize the importance of current youth development data in the camp program planning process. 4-H camping and leisure education programs should be planned and implemented to provide youth with the necessary knowledge and skills which will contribute to an improved quality of life. The membership of 4-H has more than doubled in the last ten years but the number of members participating in the 4-H camping activities has not increased proportionately. The Cooperative Extension Service has always set high standards in its educational programs to increase the quality of life for America's youth; however, the increasing legislation and regulations from state and federal governments, inflation, increased emphasis on consumerism and the growth in enrollment have placed a restrictive burden on the growth potential of the 4-H program's most important outdoor education activity. In order to strengthen the 4-H camping program, increase participation, and formulate guidelines for expansion, a survey was prepared to determine the status and characteristics of the program from a national perspective. The two main objectives for the study were: (1) To evaluate the status of each state's camping program to determine its educational, social, economic and civic importance in the overall program. (2) To formulate comparisons, guidelines and recommendations so that the 4-H camping program can be strengthened and directed more uniformly on a national basis. The study indicated that variations in facilities and programs provided a wide range of youth-centered, leader-directed activities. The responses to the survey and a review of the supporting literature indicate how effectively 4-H programs have contributed to the social, educational, economic and civic development of youth..