The Washington County Summer Camp planning and training is in full swing in preparation for the June 11-14, 2026 camp to be held at Upham Woods. There are 22 great teen leaders that have been in training sessions since January getting ready for camp. Their enthusiasm is off-the-charts and they embrace training sessions to hone their facilitation skills that they will use at camp. Teen leaders, under the guidance of adult volunteers and the 4-H educators, will present educational sessions, facilitate recreational activities and be role-models in leadership and citizenship throughout camp.
The theme of the upcoming camp is ‘Camp at Sea: Catch the Wave of 4-H!’. The theme was generated by the teen leaders in planning meetings. The teen leaders have also theme-related educational sessions that they have brainstormed and decided on. Some of those presentations include: sea mammals, fish, aquatic plants, how the Wisc. Dells was formed, and coastal land erosion. They design their presentation and practice delivering their presentation at a training session
Trainings have taught the volunteers about the ‘ages & stages’ of youth campers and learning communication tips that are age appropriate. Other communication topics include how to engage bored campers, positive feedback for encouragement, and conflict management. Youth and adult volunteers at camp review emergency procedures for bad weather, injured campers and homesick campers.
Overall the teen leaders attend 18 hours of training between January and June in preparation for summer camp. The skills they use are transferable and can be used in other leadership opportunities within and outside of 4-H. Club meetings, day camps, volunteer experiences, and Washington County Leaders Board (youth members) are all 4-H activities in which these leadership skill can be used. Leadership skills learned and practiced in 4-H become lifelong skills that our camp leaders bring into adulthood and use in their career paths and social relationships in the years to come.
To learn more about how youth can participate in leadership roles through 4-H opportunities contact Ron Jakubisin, 4-H Educator at ron.jakubisin@wisc.edu
