Join WV 4-H

A free, educational program for West Virginia youths in all 55 counties

West Virginia 4-H is a club for kids and teens. But 4-H is like no club you’ve ever seen before.

Across the globe, 4-H is world leader in developing youths to become productive citizens and catalysts for positive change to meet the needs of a diverse and changing society. Through a focus on the four “Hs” of head, heart, hands and health, participating youths will learn to develop life skills and knowledge, build self-esteem and positive values, become more active citizens through service and adopt healthy habits.

First organized in 1912, West Virginia 4-H has more than a century of experience in youth development. While 4-H programs of the past have focused on agriculture and farming, today’s 4-H programs are more diverse, exposing kids to concepts in science, engineering, technology, citizenship and healthy lifestyles through summer learning activities, camps and leadership experiences. Club members may also learn about higher education opportunities and even be eligible for scholarships offered by WVU Extension.

Anyone between the ages of 9 and 21 can join 4-H with a parent or guardian’s permission. Younger kids, ages 5–7, who are interested in the practices of 4-H can start in the Cloverbud program, which focuses more on fun and social activities that set the stage for future learning.

To find a 4-H club or 4-H Cloverbud club in your area, contact your county Extension office.

Effective October 1, 2024 (Start of the 2024-2025 4-H Year)

2024-2025 4-H Year

October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025

4-H Members

Youths with birthdates between October 1, 2003, and June 30, 2016.

• Starting Age Based off of June 30
• First year to participate is if they are 8 years old on June 30th – prior to the 4-H year they are starting (This group would have started Kindergarten in 2019 – first group under new age policy)
  
• Last possible day to be involved will be September 30, 2025 – for anyone who is currently 21 years old on that day.
  

Cloverbuds

Youths with birthdates between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019

• Starting age based off of age on June 30
• First year to participate as a Cloverbud is if they are 5 years old on June 30th – prior to the 4-H year they are starting. (Continues 4th year of WV State Dept of Ed policy)
• Last year to participate as a Cloverbud is if they are 7 years on June 30th – prior to the 4-H year they are starting. (no longer any youth in Cloverbuds would have come in under the old school age policy)
  

Learn more about WV 4-H Age Guidelines

What if there isn’t a 4-H Club in my community?

If there’s space in a nearby community’s club, your child can participate in that club. Even better, start a club in your community! All you really need is a dedicated, caring adult willing to volunteer once a month.

All 4-H groups need to be properly chartered to be recognized as official and in good standing to operate 4-H programs and activities in the state of West Virginia. To learn more about chartering a 4-H club in your community, contact your local WVU Extension office.

Ready to Register & Join 4-H?

The 4-H year in West Virginia runs from October 1 to September 30. Youth and volunteers can register anytime during the 4-H year. Many 4-H participants register for 4-H in the fall. There are incentives for participants who sign up during the month of October.

There may be registration deadlines to participate in specific activities, projects, and programs. Check with your local Extension Office for details.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. If you need free language assistance, please contact Kim Suder at KESuder@mail.wvu.edu or call 304-293-8613.

Registering for 4-H

The 4-H registration process has moved online into ZSuite. A household completes all registration forms and participant waivers in this system. Participant waivers include a Health form, Media release, Transportation waiver, ADA accommodation needs, and the Code of Conduct. Following the waivers, members will be asked to select 4-H clubs and 4-H projects they wish to participate in during the upcoming 4-H year. Volunteers will also need to enroll in ZSuite.

• New 4-H households will have to create a ZSuite account, add household members, and complete enrollment forms and waivers for each person.
• Returning 4-H households will need to log into their ZSuite household account to complete the enrollment forms for the new 4-H year. Most information has been carried over from the previous year, allowing current members to quickly review and update their information for the new year.

Register Now in ZSuite

ZSuite: How to Enroll in 4-H

Create a new ZSuite Account

Add and Enroll a 4-H member

Add and Enroll a 4-H Volunteer

Add a 4-H parent

ZSuite: How to Re-enroll in 4-H

Learn how to re-enroll in 4-H with your ZSuite account for existing members and volunteers.

How to Register for a 4-H Event

Learn more about registering for a 4-H event, activity, or camp.

 

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.