4-H Adult Homecoming Weekend

WV 4-H Adult Homecoming Weekend

State 4-H Contact: Event Coordinator

This weekend is a time for West Virginia 4-H adult members, volunteers, All Stars, and alumni to:

• Strengthen leadership skills for working with youth in the 4-H program
• Connect and collaborate with fellow volunteers and alumni
• Celebrate service through the 4-H All Star Consecration Ceremony and recognition dinner for 4-H volunteers and All Stars
• Recharge and reflect in a supportive, inspiring environment

Workshops, recognition, and fellowship make this weekend a meaningful experience for all who serve and support 4-H.

WHO

WV 4-H Volunteers, All Stars, Adult Members, and Alumni (18 years or older) who serve, or want to learn more about serving, as volunteers with the West Virginia 4-H program.

WHEN

Friday, September 25, 2026 - Sunday, September 27, 2026

WHERE

WVU Jackson's Mill

PARTICIPATION OPTIONS AND COSTS

We are excited to offer you several options for participating in the homecoming weekend.

• $100. Full event with 2 nights of cottage/yurt lodging – Includes dorm lodging (cottage or yurt) and four meals during the weekend.
• $95. Full event access, but lodging not included - Includes four meals during the weekend. It is up to the participant to make private housing arrangements directly with Jackson's Mill or off-site.
• $65. Saturday only - 2 meals included (Lunch and Dinner)
• $50. Saturday only - 1 meal included (Lunch OR Dinner)

If your Event Fee is being covered, or partially covered, by your county or a scholarship, please choose "Submit and Pay Later" when completing your registration.

Check payments should be made out to West Virginia University and mailed to:

Event Coordinator
PO Box 6031
710-B Allen Hall
Morgantown, WV 26506

Please include "Adult Homecoming Weekend" in the memo line of the check.

If you need to arrange other forms of payment, please email Event Coordinator.

*Discover Cards are not accepted.

LODGING OPTIONS

Participants must contact Jackson’s Mill for private lodging and will pay Jackson’s Mill directly for upgrades. Contact Jackson’s Mill at (304) 269-5100.

Private lodging will be limited this year due to the WV Lodge being renovated. Here are some nearby hotels to consider:

• Weston (Exit 99)
  1. Hampton Inn by Hilton (304) 997-8750
  2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites by IHG (304) 269-3550
  3. Quality Inn (304) 406-6019
  4. Super 8 (304) 904-4049
• Jane Lew (Exit 105)
  1. The Inn at Plantation (304) 884-7807

REGISTRATION

Registration will open on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. and close on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 11:55 p.m. All payments must be submitted by Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Registration will be handled through the 4-H ZSuite Online System.

Register Here (4-H ZSuite)

External Registration (No ZSuite Account)

Event Details

The full conference program includes leadership learning sessions/workshops, WV 4-H All Star business meeting, ideas for 4-H club meetings and activities, leader recognition, informative speakers, Council Circle, reflections, fellowship and fun.

The program is designed especially for adult 4-H volunteers to enhance the lives of youth across West Virginia, and to acknowledge the tireless efforts of our volunteers!

It is an excellent opportunity for leaders to learn about the 4-H program, gain leadership skills, get new program ideas, make new friends, assist in discussing future plans and renew enthusiasm for the 4-H program!

Tentative Weekend Schedule

Workshop and Activity descriptions

• Character in Action: Parliamentary Procedure in 4-H
• Parliamentary Procedure - just the words already make some people drowsy! But it doesn't have to be that way! Join Chad for a new look at parliamentary procedure in 4-H as seen through the Beyond Ready framework and character education. Participants will also receive a copy of a new 4-H parliamentary procedure and meeting guide to use with clubs and other groups.
• Conflict Resolution and Team Work
• Learn the five basic step to resolving conflict and building teams that can successfully work together to "Make The Best Better".
• Creating the Right Mix of Fun and Fundamentals: Club Engagement Activities
• Participants will explore practical, hands-on activities designed for 4-H youth. This interactive session will feature low-cost, easy projects that build problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Attendees will leave with adaptable, ready-to-use activities that can be tailored for multiple age groups, club sizes, and learning environments. Emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, youth engagement, and creating fun, inclusive experiences that inspire creativity
• Jewelry Making Made Easy
• Participants will learn various jewelry techniques that can be appropriate for all 4-Hers.They will have time to create at least one item to take home. A list of needed supplies, and where to find them, will be provided so participants can teach this in their home counties.
• Leadership & Line Dancing: Engaging today’s Teens
• Lead Lines is an innovative 4-H club model designed to engage high school youth through a unique combination of leadership development and line dancing. Each meeting features a short leadership presentation from a community leader followed by a fun, social line dancing session. This workshop will share strategies for recruiting teens, building community partnerships, increasing program participation, and creating meaningful opportunities for youth to develop confidence, and connections.
• Let's Get Cookin' SPIN Club ~ Sharing Ideas
• Have you ever wanted to offer a SPIN (SPecial INterest) Club focused on cooking? Harrison County 4-H Leaders have successfully offered a cooking SPIN Club six times and will share tips, resources, lesson ideas, and best practices for creating an engaging hands-on experience for youth. Participants will leave with practical ideas and confidence to start or expand a cooking SPIN Club in their own county or community.
• Pack and Snack!
• This workshop will teach participants easy and quick snacks and meals to pack and take on the go. There will be information on ingredient prepping, tips to eat health(ier) on the go, and how to stay fueled on the go!
• Real or AI? Teaching Teens to Recognize What You See Online
• AI-generated content is increasingly common online, including realistic images, videos, and written messages that can sometimes be misleading. This lesson will teach adults how to help teens recognize the signs of AI-created or manipulated media and understand how these tools are being used in advertising, social media, and scams. Participants will learn strategies for identifying AI images, deepfake videos, and AI-written emails, along with tips for verifying information before sharing it.
• Song Leading
• Learn tips & tricks to being a successful song leader while singing familiar songs and learning new ones.
• Volunteer Game Central: Learn how to teach the games
• This session will focus on teaching games to volunteers to be able to teach in a club or camp setting.
• Volunteer Game Central: Enjoy playing the games
• This session will be just time for volunteers to play games and learn a new game or two!
• A Recipe for Meetings that Matter: Education, Service, and Impact
• This workshop will focus on hands-on and useful meetings. This includes practical ideas for service project, club speakers, and club projects. When you mix all this together, you end up with meetings people enjoy—and results you can see.
• Do's and Don'ts of All Star Nominations
• A well-written All Star nomination is key for the selection process. In this workshop, we'll discuss sufficient acts of service and ways to make your nomination stand out among the crowd.
• How to teach sewing to youngsters
• Introduce the basics of quilting to grade school through high age students. Quilting is a wonderful way to teach children and teens how to sew. A small quilted wall hanging can be completed in a few class sessions giving the students a sense of accomplishment.
• Walking Tour and Jackson's Mill History
• Join historian Joe Obidzinski as he leads a walking tour around Jackson's Mill where he will discuss history, interesting stories, and share neat photos and tidbits from the history of the Mill.
• WVU Storybook STEM Club Plans for Cloverbuds and Young 4-H'ers
• Discover two engaging Storybook STEM lessons for Cloverbuds (grades K–2), created by the WVU Extension 4-H STEM Working Group. This hands-on session will show volunteers and educators how to pair storybooks with simple STEM activities and include them in a club meeting or special event. Participants will leave with ready-to-use materials and ideas to bring STEM to life for young learners.
• Butter and Candle Making
• Join historian Joe Obidzinski as he leads participants in the art of making butter and candles
• Citizen Science as Community Service: Save Our Streams Survey
• Participants will explore the WVDEP citizen science project “Save Our Streams” and learn about stream surveys. They will also use their hands for larger service to conduct a benthic macro invertebrate survey of the West Fork river in camp.
• Mediterranean Cooking and Meal Planning Made Simple
• Are you too tired at the end of the day to tackle cooking? Finding yourself eating poorly too often? Learn some easy tips to increase your healthy habits and make meal time fun and a family event while incorporating Mediterranean recipes.
• Movie and Music Trivia
• WV 4-H All Star Executive Committee Prep Session

REFUND POLICY

Refunds can be requested until September 8, 2026, but will incur a $25.00 processing fee which will be withheld from the refund. Refunds can take up to 10 weeks to be processed and may come in the form of a pre-paid Visa card mailed directly to the registrant.

Cancellations and request for refunds must be emailed to Event Coordinator.

There will be no refunds for no shows.

WVU is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer -- Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
The WVU Board of Governors is the governing body of WVU. The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing, and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to provide this content in alternate formats upon request. Contact the WVU Extension Service Office of Communications at 304-293-4222.