Roane 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

Roane County 4-H News

Mindfulness SPIN Clubs in April and May

Get experience in mindfulness, four people are in meditation yoga poses on a beach

Roane County youth have the opportunity to register for one of two Get Experience in Mindfulness special interest clubs coming up in April and May. The five-week clubs focus on stress management taught through practical and interactive mindfulness-based activities to facilitate experiential learning. Participants of the program will learn what mindfulness is and how to integrate it into daily life, strength and flexibility poses, breathing techniques and other relaxation skills. Each week will fall under a different theme.

Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for either a virtual or in-person version of the club. All club members will receive a mindfulness supply package that will include a yoga mat, meditation chime, geometric coloring book with color pencils, fidget device, and other relaxation gear.

Read Mindfulness SPIN Clubs in April and May

2021 Roane County Round-Up

The annual Roane County 4-H Round Up was held March 20, 2021 as a hybrid in-person/virtual event at the Camp Sheppard 4-H grounds in Gandeeville. Round Up provides opportunities for 4-H members to compete in public speaking, 4-H pledge and creed recital contests, as well as visual and digital presentation competitions. This year, 29 youth participated in Round Up events with thirteen presentations taking place virtually and six in person. Fourteen of those individuals meet the requirements to move on to competitions at the state level.

See below for the winners!

Young woman doing a visual presentation on kitchen safety

Read 2021 Roane County Round-Up

Roane County 4-H'ers Attend Alpha I

Roane County 4-H members recently attended the 2018 Alpha I State 4-H Camp at WVU Jackson's Mill. Attending were (l-r) Levi Webb, Abby Jo Hoskins, Ella Wilson, Maddie Cox, Gwen Cox, Jennifer Moore, Jerrod Hildreth, Joel Hofstad, and Chase Webb. The Alpha I camp theme was "Bring Your 'A' Game" and events for the week were related to popular board and card games.

Roane County 4-H'ers who attended Alpha I State 4-H Camp in 2018

Read Roane County 4-H'ers Attend Alpha I

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

Clubs

Roane County 4-H Clubs

Roane County offers ten community 4-H clubs for youth to join as well as a Junior Leaders Club just for high-school members. Several clubs also offer opportunities for Cloverbud membership.

To learn how to join a 4-H Club or enroll your child in the Cloverbud program in Roane County, contact the WVU Extension Service at 304-927-0975 or email Emma Gardner.

Camps

Roane County 4-H Camp is an all-age camp for 4-H youth held at Camp Sheppard in Gandeeville. Contact the Roane County office for more information.