Joe was introduced to 4-H in the fourth grade by his best friend, Jacob. They both loved being a part of their school’s 4-H club and spent the next four years building friendships and learning new things. Their enthusiasm for 4-H led them to sign up for 4-H camp, a decision that would shape their lives in ways they couldn’t have imagined.
Year after year, Joe returned to camp, forever grateful to Sherri Farley, Owen Prim, and all those who worked tirelessly to make the week at camp so amazing. Knowing now how much effort goes into it, Joe admires their hard work and dedication even more. He attended 4-H camp for four years as a camper, four years as a counselor, and three years as a camp staff member, from 2012 to 2014.
As a staff member, Joe’s outlook shifted. He saw the kind of impact he could make on someone’s week at camp and made it his goal to make a difference for as many people as he could. When the days were long, the temperature was high, and he felt like he couldn’t stand any longer, he reminded myself that he was there to make a difference.
As a camp staff member, Joe saw a different type of role model. He witnessed the hard work and dedication of the 4-H camp agents. Their passion, vision, and dedication to the youth were truly admirable. Agents such as Cathy Weaver, Sherri Farley, and Eric Comley showed such passion for what 4-H camp stood for and for keeping it going for the next generation.
Joe loves that 4-H camp has room for everyone and all are welcome and celebrated there. No one gets left behind, and there is something fun for everyone, campers and adult volunteers alike.
4-H camp helped Joe realize that he is a leader and that he enjoys leadership. Even fresh out of college with his nursing degree, he didn’t realize that he was destined to become a leader and educator. In his current role as the Instructional Development Coordinator for Emergency Services, he works alongside staff, acclimating new hires to his department and educating them on best practices for their patients. Every two weeks, when he meets new hires, it feels like the first day of camp all over again. In some ways, 4-H gave him that spark of joy that is brought on by new adventures.
This year, Joe worked with state legislators, the Kentucky Nurses Association, and the Emergency Nurses Association to pass legislation to decrease the amount of workplace violence experienced by healthcare workers. Through the public speaking skills and confidence he gained working at 4-H camp, he was able to communicate the issue and why they should support this piece of legislation. 4-H taught him to stand up for what is right, look out for others, and to pledge himself to larger service for his club, community, country, and world!
As a nurse educator, Joe often must present in front of crowds on complex topics, and without his experiences at 4-H camp and learning from other amazing fellow camp staffers, he’s unsure if he would be as comfortable presenting. Leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, and resiliency are all skills he can associate with his experience with 4-H.
Resilience plays a large role in his everyday life and career. 4-H taught him to look on the positive side of things. Working in the emergency department, he experiences people on the worst days of their lives, and he strives to make a positive impact on their day, even if it is something as small as a smile. Joe is forever grateful to 4-H for instilling in him the many different qualities that have shaped him as a professional and as a person.