4-H leaders ask court to fund camp scholarships to expand youth participation

4-H representatives asked the Nicholas County Fiscal Court on Feb. 14 to support county children attending 4-H camp this summer and to promote Mathers Fund educational scholarships to increase applications.

Speakers Shelby and Ashley (4-H representatives) said the camp runs four days and three nights and costs $325 per camper this year; they requested that the court and district partners consider using Mathers Fund resources, district board funds and donor contributions to reduce the out-of-pocket cost for families. They said last year the county used Mathers Fund awards to help 70 campers and distributed about $7,000 in assistance; this year the 4-H organizers said they hope to take about 60 campers and would cap the individual Mathers Fund grant at $100 per child while seeking other district or donor support to cover remaining costs.

4-H presenters described camp activities (swimming, canoeing, high-ropes/ziplines, fishing, cooking classes, archery/trap, team-building and “no-electronics” policies) and said many local children have limited opportunities to travel outside the county; speakers said camp experiences can influence later education or career interests and build life skills. They also described fundraising plans, including a local pulled-pork fundraiser, and said donors and district scholarships in prior years helped cover remaining costs for families who still could not pay.

Members of the fiscal court and attending officials expressed general support and noted the Mathers Fund’s educational uses, but no formal appropriation or vote occurred at the meeting; presenters said camp sign-ups and scholarship applications will be distributed to families in the coming weeks and asked the court to consider support when official applications arrive.

The court’s management or advisory committee will consider any formal Mathers Fund requests when the applications are submitted.