4-H Camp Counseling

A Leadership Building

Experience

The Research Study Conducted by the Wisconsin

Youth in Public Leadership Issue Team

All Wisconsin counties were invited to participate

Conducted in the summer of 2003, compiled and analyzed fall and winter 2003-2004

Summer 4-H Camping Programs

in Wisconsin 63 counties reported doing residential summer

camps

Those programs utilized more than 700 counselors

Served nearly 3,000 campers

Provided approximately 150 daysof residential camping experience

61 agents reported well over 400 hours invested in counselor training time statewide

Research Question:

“What do camp counselors learn from their

counseling experience?”

Participation 44 counties (62%)

274 completed surveys were returned from a possible 390 counselors in participating counties (Return rate = 70%)

1,899 campers were served by these counselors in 2003

Skills Gained from the Counseling Experience

Leadership People skills/working with youth Communication Patience/tolerance Responsibility Teamwork Problem Solving Planning & Organizing

Counselors said…

“As a result of being a counselor, I have been able to gain valuable leadership skills that will help me in the future.”

“Each year I think I gain even more people skills with a variety of ages and I know that is something that will help me throughout my lifetime.”

Another counselor stated…

“Camp counseling has given me the chance to be in charge of a large group and lead them in activities. It has taught me to deal with problems quickly and effectively. If an activity falls through, I have learned to come up with an alternative while still being positive.”

Leadership Skills Gained: Planning and

organizing- Preparing for camp, back-up plan, scheduling

Communication- Dealing with camper issues, relating to group

Teamwork- Helping each other, accomplish more together

Counselors stated they will use the leadership skills they gained at

campin their local community:

Working with children Taking charge in

leadership roles Communicating/

listening Planning and

organizing Teamwork/working

together on a goal

Counselor Skills They Will Use in Future Careers:* Communication* Teamwork* Leadership* Planning and organizing* Knowledge of how to work effectively with kids

“Working with campers really gives me an idea and the leadership experience I would need to be a teacher.”

When asked what was unique about being a 4-H camp counselor, the top three responses were:

Understanding and working with children

Responsibility Role modeling

One counselor stated, “I never had to be the leader of a group for three days and two nights. The kids always looked up to me for direction and support. It taught me more responsibility than I ever had before.”

Training… Training helps prepare

counselors for their role and actively involves them in planning experiences for campers.

Includes topics such as:* understanding campers’ needs and development* emotional and physical safety, first aid, handling risks* dealing with difficult or problem situations* conflict resolution* teamwork * teaching/leading skills* role modeling

Results and Implications of the Study:

Counselors reported significant life skill development as a result of their counseling experience.

Counselors indicated that these skills will be used in future community involvement, as well as in careers.

The large amount of responsibility placed on counselors warrants significant expenditures of programming time and resources for training and preparation for the role.

In Conclusion… Counselors serve

important volunteer leadership roles in the 4-H summer camping program.

Campers benefit from their leadership.

Counselors gain helpful leadership skills from their training and experience.

In addition…

Besides describing in detail, and through examples, how camp

counseling was a learning experience, 4-H teens also described camp as

“Awesome!” “Exciting!” and “Fun!”

So, 4-H summer camp counseling is not only educational, it is also motivating, leading to success

and positive youth development!

This presentation was developed by the Research Committee of the Wisconsin

Youth in Public Leadership Issues TeamJune, 2004

Research Committee members:Katy ForsytheLinda Kustka

Robert MatysikKaren Nelson