Monongalia County 4-H
Monongalia County has numerous 4-H clubs and a beautiful 4-H camp. Youth development
is open to youth of all ages—from youngsters to college.
Upcoming Monongalia County 4-H Events
For the latest Monongalia County 4-H news, information, programs, and events, read
our online newsletter!
Monongalia County 4-H Fun Bash
Interested in learning more about the 4-H program? Join us on October 9, 2022 from 3-5 p.m., at the Monongalia County Center at Mylan Park (pavilion in the back.) This event is free and is open to youth and families interested in learning more about the 4-H program in Monongalia County. Prizes and fun activity stations will be available and 4-H members can enroll in the club.
For more information, send an email to MonongaliaCountyExtension@mail.wvu.edu.
New 4-H Year, Club Information, and Age Policy
The new 4-H year begins on October 1. For those who have participated before with Monongalia County 4-H, your local agent will send instructions on how to re-enroll your child in ZSuite on October 1. Please do not try and re-enroll until after that date because you will just have to re-do it.
We recommend you reaching out to your club leaders to see when their first meeting will be held. Monongalia County will hold a countywide Cloverbud (age 5-8) monthly meeting the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., and a countywide teen leader club (ages 12 and up) that meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Extension Office at Mylan Park. Both clubs will begin in October.
Please contact the
Monongalia County Extension Office if you have any questions. We are looking
for teen and adult volunteers to assist with our Cloverbud club: please let us
know if you are interested.
Recent WV 4-H News
Application for National 4-H Congress and Conference
This application is for WV 4-H youth ages 14-19 wanting to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta (November 2023) or National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. (March/April 2024). Once your application is submitted a follow-up interview will be scheduled in June 2023.
Deadline to submit your interview is midnight on Monday, May 15th, 2023. Youth
accepted to attend Congress or Conference will be attending this event with pre-selected
WVU Extension Chaperones. Youth will be attending on their own, family members
and 4-H Volunteers will not be eligible to attend. There will be times during these
National events when youth will be chaperoned by someone other than the WVU chaperones.
The cost of this trip is over $2,000.00 and youth are responsible for paying $TBD towards this trip. This fee is due 6 weeks before the start of the event. (There are scholarship opportunities)
Fall 2022 Regional 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities
There are 4-H volunteer training opportunities scheduled around the state from late August through early October. A meal and 4-H club ideas (with supplies!) will be provided to each participant.
Volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend these trainings to gain new skills and learn how to restart/start 4-H clubs. This session will provide grab 'n' go training resources and curriculum you can use in working within the 4-H youth program. The training will also focus on building relationships between 4-H volunteers and Extension educators. We are excited to come back together to learn, socialize and recognize our excellent volunteers that support our youth.
Regional Training dates and locations.
Excellence in 4-H project work on display at the State Fair of West Virginia 2022
The public is encouraged to picture themselves in 4-H this year at the State Fair of West Virginia. The stage has been set for kids of all ages to step into a 4-H club meeting or head off to 4-H camp at the 4-H exhibit in the Cecil Underwood Youth building. Thank you to Gold Ribbon poster winner, Hannah Beckner from Gilmer County for inspiring the exhibit theme this year.
Cornbread muffins, collections of leaves, creative 4-H clover displays, and handmade
clothing garments and toolboxes line the display stands in the Cecil Underwood
Youth Building at the as evidence of 4-H members’ hard work throughout the past
year. People attending the State Fair of West Virginia can view these blue-ribbon
4-H project exhibits from August 11 through 20, 2022. Additionally, there are
hundreds of exhibits online in the
virtual state 4-H exhibit
.
For 4-H projects to earn a spot at the State Fair, the youth had to earn a blue ribbon at the county level. All exhibits earn a blue ribbon from the State Fair, but a few exhibits are pulled as Best of Show. This year’s Best of Show winners are:
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
If you would like more information on becoming involved in the 4-H program as a club member, camp participant, or volunteer, please feel free to email Becca Fint-Clark, WVU Monongalia County 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent; or email Heather Tanton, WVU Monongalia County 4-H Program Assistant. Both can be reached at 304-291-7201.
Clubs
Want to Join a 4-H Club?
There are several 4-H clubs that meet throughout Monongalia County. There is no fee to join 4-H, but there may be fees associated with some projects and events. Enrollment for Monongalia County 4-H begins on October 1 (the beginning of the new 4-H year) and is open year-round.
Age Requirements:
Traditional 4-H'ers
- Starting Age based off of age on June 30th.
- First year to participate is if they are 8 years old on June 30th – prior to the 4-H year they are starting.
- Last possible day to be involved will be September 30, 2023 – for anyone who is currently 21 years old on that day.
Additional information, paperwork, and training sessions are required from 18-21
year old members.
To register a 4-H member, please complete the enrollment through ZSuite.
Regional 4-H Shotgun Club
Monongalia County 4-H is also part of a regional 4-H shotgun club that meets at the West Virginia Sportsmen & Firearms Association near Fairmont. 4-H members who are 12- 21 years old may participate in the monthly meetings to learn the proper safety and technique of shooting shot guns.
For additional details,
email Jim Bowers, Monongalia County 4-H Volunteer, or call him at
304-216-8914.
Camps
Monongalia County 4-H Day Camp - June 5-7, 2023-
Monday-Wednesday - youth must have been between the ages of 5- 7 by June 30th,
2022. This camp is non-residential and runs daily from 8:30am-4:30pm at Camp
Muffly. Day camp cost will be $80 for enrolled Cloverbuds (registered and active as of January 2023) and $130 for non-members
Monongalia County Younger 4-H Camp: June 11-15, 2023 (Sunday- Thursday)- 8 years old by June 30, 2022- current 6th grade- current 7th graders choose between younger and older 4-H camps. This 4-H camp is residential and held at Camp Muffly. Campers are dropped off on Sunday afternoon and picked up on Thursday evening.
Monongalia County Older 4-H Camp: July 9-13, 2023 (Sunday-
Thursday)- 7th grade- age 21. Youth currently in 7th grade have the option of
attending either older or younger camp, but must choose between the two. Anyone
who will be 21 on or before September 30, 2023 is eligible to attend. This 4-H
camp is residential and held at Camp Muffly. Campers are dropped off on Sunday
afternoon and picked up on Thursday evening.
Residential 4-H camps will cost $150 for enrolled 4-H members (registered and active as of January 2023) and $225 for non-4-H members.
Camp forms will be available online at the beginning of April. If you have any questions, call Becca or Heather at 304-291-7201.
Cloverbuds
Cloverbuds are open to any youth who fit the below age requirements:
- Starting Age based off of age on June 30th.
- First yea r to participate as a Cloverbud is if they are 5 years old on June 30th – prior to the 4-H year they are starting.
- Last year to participate as a Cloverbud is if they are 7 years on June 30th – prior to the 4-H year they are starting.
Cloverbuds can meet as part of a regular 4-H club meeting or can be a separate club. In Monongalia County, several regular clubs also have Cloverbud clubs. Cloverbuds learn cooperation, self-esteem, decision-making, learning skills, and physical skills.
If you would like additional information regarding Cloverbuds, please
email Becca Fint-Clark or call her at
304-291-7201.
Volunteers
West Virginia 4-H offers opportunities that can give your child an edge in life. Our program provides a variety of volunteer opportunities for youths, adolescents and adults. Find out how to volunteer!
-
Laurel Point Comanches
Skyview Elementary School
Deb Dean and Email Heather Tanton -
Little Indian Creek
Arnettsville School
Email Laura Himes -
Monongalia County
4-H Shooting Sports Club
Arnettsville School/Community Building
Email Dan Gregory -
Monongalia County 4-H Teen Leaders
Email Angie Inskeep -
Monongalia County 4-H Cloverbud Club
Email Heather Tanton -
Monongalia County 4-H Livestock Judging Team
Email Heather Tanton - Monongalia County 4-H Countywide Club
Email Heather Tanton -
Ponetown Pigs
Mason Dixon Park
Email Wendy Shaffer -
Southside Stars
Harner’s Chapel United Methodist Church
Email Tracy Minor and Kim Wright -
Wadestown Busy Bees
Wadestown VFD
Email Cathy Nestor