Webster 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
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.
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
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
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
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 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.
Not 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.