Putnam County 4-H | Extension | West Virginia University

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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 Clubs

Camps

Contact the Putnam County Office for information.

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.

17 people standing in two rows 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.

Read Application for National 4-H Congress and Conference

Fall 2022 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 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.

Read Fall 2022 Regional 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities

Excellence in 4-H project work on display at the State Fair of West Virginia 2022

Adult taking a picture of a boy in a 4-H camp backdrop

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 .

Read Excellence in 4-H project work on display at the State Fair of West Virginia 2022

Older WV 4-H News