Roane County 4-H | Extension | West Virginia University

Share this

What is 4-H?

4-H is one of the largest youth development programs in the United States involving more than 6.5 million young people and 540,000 youth and adult volunteers. The focus is on helping youth learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills by participating in projects and service.

Membership is open to any youth when he/she is in at least 9 years of age and is not older than 21 within the current 4-H year, which runs from October 1 – September 30. The Cloverbud program is open to youths ages 5-7 years of age. On a local level 4-H offers community clubs, specialty clubs, cloverbud clubs, county camp(s), club outings, Achievement Banquet, and more! In 4-H youth socialize, learn, and develop life skills in a safe, educational atmosphere.

Studies show that 4-H members

do better in school
are more motivated to help others
feel safe to try new things
achieve a sense of self-esteem
develop lasting friendships

Roane County 4-H News

Mindfulness SPIN Clubs in April and May

Get experience in mindfulness, four people are in meditation yoga poses on a beach

Roane County youth have the opportunity to register for one of two Get Experience in Mindfulness special interest clubs coming up in April and May. The five-week clubs focus on stress management taught through practical and interactive mindfulness-based activities to facilitate experiential learning. Participants of the program will learn what mindfulness is and how to integrate it into daily life, strength and flexibility poses, breathing techniques and other relaxation skills. Each week will fall under a different theme.

Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for either a virtual or in-person version of the club. All club members will receive a mindfulness supply package that will include a yoga mat, meditation chime, geometric coloring book with color pencils, fidget device, and other relaxation gear.

Read Mindfulness SPIN Clubs in April and May

2021 Roane County Round-Up

The annual Roane County 4-H Round Up was held March 20, 2021 as a hybrid in-person/virtual event at the Camp Sheppard 4-H grounds in Gandeeville. Round Up provides opportunities for 4-H members to compete in public speaking, 4-H pledge and creed recital contests, as well as visual and digital presentation competitions. This year, 29 youth participated in Round Up events with thirteen presentations taking place virtually and six in person. Fourteen of those individuals meet the requirements to move on to competitions at the state level.

See below for the winners!

Young woman doing a visual presentation on kitchen safety

Read 2021 Roane County Round-Up

Roane County 4-H'ers Attend Alpha I

Roane County 4-H members recently attended the 2018 Alpha I State 4-H Camp at WVU Jackson's Mill. Attending were (l-r) Levi Webb, Abby Jo Hoskins, Ella Wilson, Maddie Cox, Gwen Cox, Jennifer Moore, Jerrod Hildreth, Joel Hofstad, and Chase Webb. The Alpha I camp theme was "Bring Your 'A' Game" and events for the week were related to popular board and card games.

Roane County 4-H'ers who attended Alpha I State 4-H Camp in 2018

Read Roane County 4-H'ers Attend Alpha I

Recent WV 4-H News

It Pays to BEE a Writer: State 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

West Virginia 4-H is excited to announce the 2024 State 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest!

The topic for this 750-1000 word essay is Varietal Honeys.

Read It Pays to BEE a Writer: State 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

Ten My Hands to Larger Service Mini-Grants awarded in 2024

Ten 4-H teen leaders and their teams have pledged their hands to larger service in the coming months as they implement the service projects outlined in their winning mini-grant applications. The West Virginia 4-H All Stars have committed $2,000 to support the ten mini-grants to enhance communities in Berkeley, Harrison, Monongalia, Morgan, Ohio, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, and Randolph counties.

Cooper Knott and the Scrabble Scramblers 4-H Club in Berkeley County plan to update athletic equipment at the Camp Frame. This facility attracts the tri-county community for year-round social, educational, and recreational gatherings. The basketball hoop and backboard at the facility are broken and need to be replaced for the facility users to enjoy for years to come.

Harrison County 4-H members Hope Woods, Hannah Woods, and Spencer Nolan plan to repurpose old furniture to make a blessing box in their community. Community members can help fill this box with food, warm clothes, hygiene products, and other essentials that those in need can discretely acquire. By repurposing old furniture instead of building a new box, the 4-H members aim to reduce waste and encourage environmental preservation.

Read Ten My Hands to Larger Service Mini-Grants awarded in 2024

2024 My Hands to Larger Service mini-grants available

Youth replacing the floorboards of a porch

For several years the West Virginia 4-H All Stars have generously funded to eleven mini-grants for West Virginia 4-H teens/teen leader groups to assist in the planning and completion of a community service project through the My Hands to Larger Service 4-H Project.

Mini-Grant Application

Read 2024 My Hands to Larger Service mini-grants available

Older WV 4-H News

Clubs

Roane County 4-H Clubs

Roane County offers ten community 4-H clubs for youth to join as well as a Junior Leaders Club just for high-school members. Several clubs also offer opportunities for Cloverbud membership.

To learn how to join a 4-H Club or enroll your child in the Cloverbud program in Roane County, contact the WVU Extension Service at 304-927-0975 or email Emma Gardner.

Camps

Roane County 4-H Camp is an all-age camp for 4-H youth held at Camp Sheppard in Gandeeville. Contact the Roane County office for more information.