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Kanawha County 4-H

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. 

2021-2022 Community Clubs beginning in October

  • Charleston Explorers & Cloverbuds
    Meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Kanawha County Extension office.
  • Elk Valley Shamrocks
    Meet s the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m., at the Elkview Community Center.
  • Kanawha County Teen Leaders
    Will resume meetings in fall 2022
  • Nitro Nightcrawlers
    Meets the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m., at the new Nitro Community Center (234 Lee Avenue, Valentine Cir, Nitro, WV 25143)

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 goal attainment.

At day camps, 4-H'ers and Cloverbuds age 5-12 experience all of the fun of residential camp without the overnight stay.

2022 Camp Registration is Open!


Recent WV 4-H News

Season 3, Episodes 1 through 5 Energy Express on WVPB 

Monday, June 20, 2022, 9 a.m.  

Happy West Virginia Day! Join us for the very first episode of season three of West Virginia University Extension’s Energy Express on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.  

In this episode we learn lots of fun facts about the Mountain State to celebrate its 159th birthday. We even have some special appearances by our state animal, insect and reptile! Next, we go into a read aloud of this week’s book “Wemberly Worried” with our host Zack Harold, WVU Extension Family Nutrition Program multimedia specialist. To close out this episode, join Zack Harold for a sing-along to one of West Virginia’s state songs, Take Me Home, Country Roads.

Read Season 3, Episodes 1 through 5 Energy Express on WVPB 

West Virginia 4-H Recognizes 59 Participants in 2022 State 4-H Presentation Expo

West Virginia 4-H is proud to recognize 59 participants from 15 counties for their creativity and hard work in making their virtual presentations for the 2022 State 4-H Presentation Expo!

The State 4-H Presentation Expo is an annual event that provides an opportunity for 4-H members to gain public speaking skills across three presentation types:

Read West Virginia 4-H Recognizes 59 Participants in 2022 State 4-H Presentation Expo

West Virginia 4-H Recognizes 14 Participants in 2022 State 4-H Creed Contest

West Virginia 4-H is proud to recognize 14 participants from 8 counties for their hard work in reciting the 4-H Creed for the 2022 State 4-H Creed Competition!

The State 4-H Creed Contest is an annual event that provides an opportunity for 4-H members to compete in a friendly, scripted competition while building public speaking confidence and skills.



The 2022 State 4-H Creed Contest participants who contributed to this video can be viewed by ribbon color below.

Again, congratulations to ALL 2022 State 4-H Creed Contest participants on a job well done! We cannot wait to see how you put your public speaking skills to good use in the future!

Read West Virginia 4-H Recognizes 14 Participants in 2022 State 4-H Creed Contest

Older WV 4-H News

Member Resources

Camp Staff Volunteer Position Descriptions

Kanawha County 4-H Clubs 2021-2022


  • Charleston Explorers & Cloverbuds
    When: First Mondays            at 6 p.m.
    Where: Extension OfficeEmail Jocelyn Crawford
  • Elk Valley Shamrocks
    When: First Sundays at 2 p.m.
    Where: Elkview Community Center
    Email Julie Facemire
  • Kanawha Co. Teen Leaders 
    When: Will resume meetings in Fall 2022 
    Where: Email Jocelyn Crawford
  • Nitro Nightcrawlers
    When: Last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM
    Where: Nitro Community Center (234 Lee Avenue, Valentine Cir, Nitro, WV 25143)
    Email Jocelyn Crawford