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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. 

Community Club meetings return fall of 2023!

  • 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
      Contact Jocelyn at jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu with questions. 
  • 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. 
School-Based 4-H Clubs
Afterschool 4-H clubs will be held at Bridgeview Elementary School and Sharon Dawes Elementary School for students who attend those schools. 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.

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!

Campers ages 18-21, contact the Extension office at 304-720-9889 or jocelyn.crawford@mail.wvu.edu
  • 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

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 Heritage Showcase will be July 20, 2024

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

a wooden lending library

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

Member Resources


Kanawha County 4-H Clubs 2023-2024


  • 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