Skip to main content
Extension Employees WVU Home

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

Win up to $3,000 in the Natural Resources & Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition

Photo of student standing at a podium presenting in front of a screen with the words "Natural Resources and Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition" overlayed on top. The Flying "WV" and "Extension" written in bottom left corner

West Virginia individuals or teams (up to four persons) of students in grades 9-12 from traditional, virtual or homeschool environments, or those attending career and technical centers are invited to compete in the 2023 Natural Resources and Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition.

This competition is an exciting program designed to engage talented youths in our community, state and beyond. By participating in this competition, young people will have the opportunity to jump-start their own businesses or develop essential skills for their future roles with potential employers.

Read Win up to $3,000 in the Natural Resources & Agriculture Business Pioneer Competition

4-H Volunteer Retreat

The words 4-H Volunteers and a 4-H clover surrounded by hands reaching out with hearts in the palms

Registration is now open for the 2023 4-H Volunteer Retreat! WV 4-H Volunteers, All Stars, Adult Leaders, and Alumni (18 years or older) who serve, or want to learn more about serving, as volunteers with the West Virginia 4-H program are invited.

The conference will be held  Friday, September 29, 2023 - Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Read 4-H Volunteer Retreat

Season 4, Episodes 26-30 - Energy Express on WVPB 

Monday, July 24, 2023, 5:30 p.m.   

To kick off today’s episode, Jen Robertson-Honecker, WVU Extension STEM Specialist, and Ben, the flashlight wizard, lead a STEM activity, teaching us how to make our own flashlights. For this activity, you will need jumbo craft sticks, LEDs, coin cell batteries, jumbo paper clips, copper tape, masking tape, scissors. If all that science worked up an appetite, you’re in luck! Susan Lily, a nutrition instructor with the WVU Extension Family Nutrition Program, walks us through how to make some delicious energy bars. For this recipe, you will need rice cereal, quick cooking oats, toasted nuts, dried cranberries, unsweetened coconut, honey, low-fat peanut butter and vanilla.  

 

Read Season 4, Episodes 26-30 - Energy Express on WVPB 

Older WV 4-H News

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 your child an edge in life. Our program provides a variety of volunteer opportunities for youths, adolescents and 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.

Adult Volunteer Selection Process Code of Conduct

Ritchie County 4-H Clubs