Successful Picnic at the Fair Funds 4-H Camp Scholarships

The Tennessee 4-H Foundation hosted the second annual Picnic at the Fair at the Tennessee State Fair/Wilson County Fair in Lebanon on Aug. 18, 2023.

With nearly 350 tickets sold, the celebratory fundraiser garnered more than $45,000 to support 4-H youth programs and, more specifically, 4-H summer camp scholarships for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Fundraising at the Fair

“The inaugural Picnic at the Fair in 2022 allowed for a total of 100 4-H camp scholarships to be provided across our 95 counties in Tennessee,” says Ryan Hensley, executive director of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation. “In 2023, the Picnic at the Fair increased its impact, and so we expect to grant 150 children – who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend – access to 4-H camp this summer.”

Thanks to the sponsorship of Farm Credit Mid-America and other generous supporters, Picnic at the Fair presented vibrant musical entertainment, opportunities for community connection and a motivational program emceed by NewsChannel 5 Emmy-award winning meteorologist Lelan Statom. Statom, a 4-H alumnus, was joined on stage by several guest speakers including Cade Simmons, a twelfth grader from Van Buren County who serves as the Tennessee 4-H State Council President. Additionally, attendees at the Picnic at the Fair luncheon were treated to a menu featuring the iconic 4-H barbecue chicken recipe.

Sending Kids to Camp

Hensley says net proceeds increased by over $10,000 from the year prior, further illustrating that Picnic at the Fair will continue to be a primary fundraiser for camp scholarships and other 4-H educational opportunities. Tennessee 4-H fosters positive youth development for young people in fourth through twelfth grades through clubs, special interest groups, school initiatives and camp programs.

See more: Tennessee 4-H Offers New Projects

“We work to value the diversity of our youth to nurture their unique skills and talents so that every 4-H’er has equitable opportunities for success,” says Hunter Isbell, Franklin County Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development. Three Franklin County 4-H’ers received camp scholarships thanks to money raised at the 2022 Picnic at the Fair, including sixth grader Christian Yannes. At the event, Yannes spoke about his meaningful camp experience and his gratitude for the contributions that afforded him these life-shaping moments last summer.

“My favorite memory at camp was zipping across the zipline and creating friendships with the other campers in my cabin,” Yannes recalls. “As someone with ADD and anxiety, 4-H camp allowed me the space to be myself while learning responsibility and independence and having new adventures.”

In addition to typical childhood pastimes like archery, crafting, fishing, kayaking, swimming and making new friends, 4-H Camp encourages collaboration and personal accountability. Furthermore, community-wide 4-H events held throughout the year empower youth to prepare for workplace achievement and civic leadership.

“Experiences like Picnic at the Fair present high-quality 4-H settings that give youth the opportunity to belong, matter and explore their personal interests,” Isbell says. “This helps them to foster interpersonal relationships that encompass care and stimulate growth.”

Mark Your Calendars

The next Tennessee State Fair will run Aug. 15-24, 2024, with diverse participation possibilities for 4-H members. This will include the third annual Picnic at the Fair slated for Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.

See more: Attend the 4-H Picnic at the Fair

“With a goal to grow this event each year, our 2024 Picnic at the Fair goal is to achieve funding to award 200 kids 4-H camp scholarships for the summer 2025 session,” Hensley says. “All because of substantial donor support, we hope to be able to grant multiple kids per county 4-H camp experiences, as well as even more educational opportunities.”

Fun Fundraising Facts

• The 2023 Picnic at the Fair was sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America (Purple Sponsor); Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and Tennessee State Fair (Blue Ribbon Sponsors); Tennessee Pork Producers Association, Advance Financial Foundation and CAPTRUST (Red Ribbon Sponsors); Tennessee Corn, Alpha Gamma Rho (and the Educational Foundation of Alpha Gamma Rho), Farm Bureau Tennessee and Farm Bureau Davidson County, Don Shipper LLC, H&R Agri-Power, Smith-Wright Law, Wilson Bank & Trust, Whataburger, UT Extension (and UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences), Tennessee Valley Authority (White Ribbon Sponsors).

• Roughly 6,000 youths in Tennessee participate in 4-H camp.
• Each county may offer full or partial scholarships to potential campers in need.