Kanawha County 4-H

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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

Clubs

Clubs are organizations run by 4-H members and volunteer 4-H leaders and are a great way for 4-H'ers to stay involved all year long. Club members hold offices like president, treasurer, secretary, and health officer, among others. Club business, recreation, community service, and special speakers or presentations are all part of regular club meetings. Clubs can be for 4-H'ers in a community, at a school, or centered around a special interest.

Community Club meetings return fall of 2025!

Charleston Explorers
Meets once a month at the Charleston downtown library. Contact Jocelyn at jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu with questions.
Elk Valley Shamrocks
Contact club leader Julie at jcfacemire@yahoo.com with questions.
Kanawha County Teen Leaders
The teen leaders will be meeting four times during the club year. Contact Jocelyn at jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu with questions.

Nitro Nightcrawlers
Meets once a month at West Sattes Community Center (234 Lee Avenue, Valentine Cir, Nitro). Contact Jocelyn at jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu with questions.
Riverside-Area Club
Meets at the Riverside Library (1 Warrior Way, Quincy, WV).

School-Based 4-H Clubs

Contact the school or Jocelyn at jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu for more information.

General Interest 4-H Clubs Special Interest 4-H Clubs

Camps

4-H summer camp programs focus on positive youth development and provides opportunities to try new experiences in an encouraging environment. At residential camps, campers enjoy a fun-filled five day, four night camp which provides youth the opportunity to meet to new friends, experience fun evening camp fires, and earn skills such as fishing, cooking, art, sports, STEM, and outdoor recreation. 4-H Camp allows youth to develop important life skills like leadership, responsibility, and setting and achieving goals.

Registration for Kanawha County 4-H Camp 2026 will open in April 2026.

Registration for Southern District Horse Camp 2026 will open in April 2026.

Campers are required to bring their own horse, tack, feed, and other equipment.

Day Camps

At day camps, 4-H'ers and Cloverbuds age 5-10 experience all of the fun of residential camp without the overnight stay.

Kanawha County 4-H Project Showcase at the Vandalia Gathering

Labor Day weekend at the WV state capitol. More info to come!

Recent WV 4-H News

Winter and Spring 2025 Regional 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities

The words 4-H Volunteers and a 4-H clover surrounded by hands reaching out with hearts in the palms

There are 4-H volunteer training opportunities scheduled around the state from late February through early May. A meal will be provided to each participant.

These trainings aims to help volunteers broaden awareness of the 4-H Thriving Model in their roles as volunteers, explore deeper the concepts of Sparks and how volunteers can serve as Spark Champions for 4-H members using WV teen-specific information from TLW 2024, and introduce the Beyond Ready initiative.

Read Winter and Spring 2025 Regional 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities

2025 My Hands to Larger Service mini-grants available

Since 2020, the West Virginia 4-H All Stars have generously funded mini-grants for West Virginia 4-H teens and their respective 4-H clubs 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 2025 My Hands to Larger Service mini-grants available

West Virginia 4-H Announces 2024 Youth in Action Award Winners

The West Virginia 4-H Youth in Action Program announces four young leaders in 4-H pillar areas: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living, and STEM.

Read West Virginia 4-H Announces 2024 Youth in Action Award Winners

Older WV 4-H News