Putnam 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
4-H…The Power of Youth
Putnam County has over 400 4-H’ers enrolled in 22 traditional community clubs, and
over 500 youth receive 4-H programs in their schools. 4-H is for any boy or girl
from third grade through age 21 (there is also a Clover Bud program for children
in kindergarten through second grade) regardless of race, color, sex, disability,
religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.
4-H’ers learn leadership skills and how to run a meeting through club programs under
the careful leadership of trained adult volunteers. Youth participate in special
activities such as monthly skating parties, talent shows, public presentation contests,
conservation program, field trips, weekend camps, and community service projects. They
participate in Adopt-A-Highway, the Putnam County Fair, and many other community
service events.
Each 4-H’er is encouraged to take and complete at least one project. The project
book is provided at no cost. The project is exhibited at the county fair. There
are no dues, no uniforms, nor fees to belong to a 4-H club.
All Putnam County youth, ages 9-21 are invited to attend Putnam County 4-H Camp,
a week-long residential camp held at Camp Virgil Tate near Cross Lanes, the end
of June each summer.
4-H in Putnam County is sponsored by West Virginia University, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, the Putnam County Commission, and Putnam County Board of Education.
To become a 4-H member, contact the 4-H club leader nearest you or call 304-586-0217.
Clubs
Putnam County 4-H Clubs Putnam County 4-H Specialty ClubsCamps
Contact the Putnam County Office for information.
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.
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Bee Ridge Bears
Wade Chapel Church
2nd Saturday, 10 AM
Sarah McClanahan
304-549-5832 -
Bridge Creek Bandits
Lakeside Elementary
2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM
Sandy Murriner
304-638-2820 Holly Murriner 304-767-5574 -
Country Critters
Scott Teays Elementary
2nd Thursday, 6 PM
Wanda Donald 304-562-3029 Lahoma Wilson
304-415-2922 -
Cow Creek Hi-Strivers
John Hensen Senior Citizen Center2nd Thursday, 6:30 PM
LeAnne Call
304-552-0461 Cindy Call
304-562-6679 -
Eleanor Explores
Eleanor Fire Dept. 2nd Fl.2nd Monday, 6:30 PM
Nikki George
304-532-9858 -
Evergreen Ridge Runners
Fraziers Bottom Church of God2nd Monday, 6:30 PM
Hattie Frazier
304-552-1412 Ryan Akers
304-634-0071 -
Fraziers Bottom Whitetails
5 & 20 Baptist Church2nd Monday, 6:30 PM
Lisa Rhodes
304-964-1109Kelsey Rhodes
304-373-3108 -
Midway Meridians
Midway Methodist Activity Building1st Tuesday, 7 PM
Andrea Meadows
304-997-4266 -
Poca Pioneers
Location: To Be Determined
2nd Sunday, 2 PM
Heather Kersey
304-633-2619Jessica Cochran
304-514-9081 -
Red House Rascals Red House Bible
Church
2nd Monday, 6:30 PM
Betty Johnson
304-549-5282Beth Haverty
304-552-4738 -
Trailblazers
Confidence Elementary
2nd Monday, 6:30 PM
Jackie Byars
304-690-2759Mariah Casto
304-972-8323Cate King
304-820-6733 -
Winfield Scotts
Winfield Elementary School
2nd Tuesday, 6:30 PM
Toni Takarsh
304-545-2857
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Clover STEMS Lego Robotics
Valley Park Mondays, 6:30 PM Shannon Watson 904-472-7702
Call Shannon for Team Availability
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Putnam County Shooting Sports Confidence Elementary
1st Tuesday, 7:00 PM Sarah McClanahan 304-549-5832 Sara Short 304-993-1365 Dave Short 304-993-2271
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Teen Leaders
Eleanor Fire Hall
3nd Monday, 6:30 p.m.Ravi Parker 304-552-7647 Jeremy Crites 304-546-6250