Ritchie 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
Ritchie County 4-H News
Contact the Ritchie County Office for current news and to learn about upcoming opportunities in our local area. Ask us for more information about topics including:
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
Ritchie County 4-H Clubs
Find a Ritchie County 4-H Club
Camp
Contact the Ritchie County Office for more information.
West Virginia 4-H Volunteer Opportunities
West Virginia 4-H offers opportunities that can give youth an edge in life. Our program provides a variety of volunteer opportunities for adults.
Caring Adults act as advisers and leaders for clubs, camps and activities. Each is selected, screened and trained by the WVU Extension professionals who guide the 4-H program.
Neighborhood Clubs give older and younger members a place to belong, a place to identify and a place to practice positive values, build leadership and have fun!
Special Events and Programs at the local, state and national levels support educational and developmental goals through camps, skill development events, exhibits, fairs and challenging contests.
Individualized Learning Experiences let each child choose from more than 100 projects to develop unique interests and skills and explore new ideas. Each project is developed by experts to help children learn by doing.
Leadership Development
is nurtured with special emphasis placed on developing communication
and decision-making skills.
If you are interested in volunteering with 4-H programs, please read about our selection process at the link below and contact your County Extension Office.
Adult Volunteer Selection Process-
Auburn Wo-He-Lo
Contact Sherry Combs -
Cairo Climbers
Contact Angie Stewart
304-628-4045 -
Harrisville Happy Days
Contact Melissa McFeely
724-875-1988 -
Pennsboro Morning Stars
Contact Mindy Davis
304-659-3222 -
Pullman Commanders
Contact Rhonda Ireland
304-349-2958 -
Smithville X’llers
Contact Tammy Bell
304-477-3255 -
Shooting Sports
Contact Kerry & Mandy Murphy
304-477-3718