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.
Community Club meetings return fall of 2023!
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Charleston Explorers
Meets once a month on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Charleston downtown library (123 Capitol Street) in room 311A. Contact Jocelyn at jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu with questions. -
Elk Valley Shamrocks
Meets the first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. at Jarrett Memorial United Methodist Church (19 Jarrett St, Elkview). 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: - Saturday, October 28, 9 a.m. to noon at Camp Virgil Tate
- Friday, December 8, 5-8 p.m. at Camp Virgil Tate
- Friday, February 23, 5-8 p.m. at the Extension office
- Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. to noon at Camp Virgil Tate
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Nitro Nightcrawlers
Meets once a month on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. 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 the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Riverside Library (1 Warrior Way, Quincy, WV). Contact Cameron at cameron.waggoner@mail.wvu.edu with questions.
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.
Kanawha County 4-H Camp registration is open!
Camper ages 9-17 sign up here: https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/28630
Campers ages 18-21, contact the Extension office at 304-720-9889 or
jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu
Help us solve the Mystery at Camp Tate! Each day, campers will participate in classes, assemblies, games, and team building. Activities will include STEM, cooking, arts and crafts, outdoor sports and much more!
- June 3-7, 2024
- Ages 9-21 (this is an overnight camp)
- $200- Financial assistance and camperships are available!
Southern District Horse Camp registration is open!
- June 16-22, 2024
- Ages 9-21 (this is an overnight camp)
- $350
- Campers are required to bring their own horse, tack, feed, and other equipment
Day Camps
- West Sattes Community Center in Nitro July 9-12, 2024 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Register here:
https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/28978
- Camp Virgil Tate in Sissonville July 22-25 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Register here:
https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/28980
Kanawha County 4-H Heritage Showcase will be July 20, 2024
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
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.
Read 2024 My Hands to Larger Service mini-grants available
Member Resources
- Above Suspicion Policy
- Club Officer Handbook for Members
- Club Officer Handbook for Leaders
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Member Sanctions for Misconduct
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Monthly Meeting Report
- Reporter's Handbook
- Secretary's Record Book
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Secretary's Score Sheet
- Treasurer's Record Book
- Treasurer's Score Sheet
- Yearly Club Plan
- Youth Development Activity Record
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Charleston Explorers & Cloverbuds
When: Thursday once a month at 5:30 PM
Where: Charleston downtown library (123 Capitol St.), Room 311A Email Jocelyn Crawford -
Elk Valley Shamrocks
When: First Sundays at 2 p.m.
Where: Jarrett Memorial United Methodist Church (19 Jarrett St, Elkview)
Email Julie Facemire -
Kanawha Co. Teen Leaders
When: Third Thursdays at 7 PM
Where: Kanawha Extension office or on Zoom Email Jocelyn Crawford -
Nitro Nightcrawlers
When: Second Sundays at 2 PM
Where: West Sattes Community Center (234 Lee Avenue, Valentine Cir, Nitro)
Email Jocelyn Crawford -
Riverside-Area Club
When: Second Mondays at 6 PM
Where: Riverside Library (1 Warrior Way, Quincy)
Email Cameron Waggoner