Webster County 4-H
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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
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
Clubs
Each community club meets on a monthly basis to plan and implement community service, social, fundraising, and promotional activities. 4-H members can enroll in projects, meet new friends, and learn leadership skills. To find a club near you (in Webster County), see the below list.
- Sand Run Busy Bees—Bolair
- Cheerful Diggers Jr—Cowen
- Dyer Pioneers—Dyer/Cowen
- Green Thumb Hornets—Cowen
- Diana B-G’s—Diana
- Four Seasons—Diana
- Silver Stars—Webster Springs
- Addison Avengers—Webster Springs
For additional information regarding 4-H community clubs, contact the Extension Office at 304-847-2727.
Cloverbuds
Children in kindergarten to second grades can be enrolled as Cloverbuds in a 4-H program. Because of their age, these ‘budding’ 4-Hers are not full-fledged 4-H members and cannot participate in 4-H related competitions but can have fun learning by participating in fun, hands-on activities directly related to the 4-H project areas just like official (third grade to 21 years old) 4-H members. Cloverbud groups can meet separately from 4-H clubs or in conjunction with 4-H clubs. To learn how to enroll your child in the Cloverbud program in Webster County, contact the WVU Extension Service at 304-847-2727 or by email.
Camps
Webster County camp is held at
Camp Caesar
starting the third Sunday in July. Camp activities include Good Grooming and Job
Interview contests with the winners receiving a return scholarship to county camp
or a scholarship to state camp, a picnic and mediation at the lake, Cloverbud Day,
a hayride-dance-night swim, pizza party and dance, and Charting ceremony. Of course
there are also the customary classes, sports and tribal activities.
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 ProcessNot sure what you have to offer 4-H youth? Below are some volunteer roles you can help with. Don’t forget to email the Extension Office or call us at 304-847-2727 for more specific information and current volunteering opportunities.