Youth & Family News

As part of the 50+ year USDA Forest Service tradition, Monongahela National Forest is providing the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, which will grace the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, along with smaller trees for federal offices in Washington, D.C. How do all of these trees get decorated? With lots and lots of handmade ornaments! We need your help to create ornaments for the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and smaller trees that will be displayed this holiday season in Washington, D.C.

Monday, July 10, 2023, 5:30 p.m.   

Get out your tiny wallets! It’s time to learn about financial literacy with Lauren Weatherford, family and community development agent in Fayette and Nicholas counties. She walks us through how to identify our wants versus our needs and how to make smart choices with our money. Next, Summers County Extension Agent Lesley Woodrum shows us how to make our own piggy banks at home using materials that are often just thrown away. For this activity, you will need a container with a lid, such as a peanut butter jar, a box or even an empty disinfectant wipes canister, markers, colorful paper or stickers for decoration, and an adult to help you cut a hole in the top of your bank. 

Monday, July 3, 2023, 5:30 p.m.   

Today we’re learning all about the creepy crawlies in the world around us. Elizabeth Rowen, a service assistant professor of entomology, guides us on a tour of WVU’s insect zoo, getting up close and personal with some tarantulas, scorpions and more. Next, 4-H youth and development agent Jocelyn Crawford teaches us all about what makes up an ecosystem and shows us how to make one in a jar! For this activity, all you need is a jar, a scoop of water from an outdoor water source, like a creek or pond, and objects around the water source, like leaves or rocks. Then we jump back to Elizabeth Rowen to go on a scavenger hunt for insects that you can find in your own backyard.  

Monday, June 26, 2023, 5:30 p.m.  

The Wild Owens kick us off today talking about bear dens and cubs. WVU Extension specialists Sheldon and Sarah Owen are joined by Colin Carpenter, black bear project leader at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to hug some black bear cubs and learn about their habitats. Next, Alex Coffman, 4-H youth development agent, discusses keeping public parks and spaces clean with Leave No Trace. And while you’re out in these parks, you may come across some plants that could be dangerous. Bruce Loyd and Mike Shamblin, Extension agriculture and natural resource agents, walk us through the woods while showing us plants to avoid and how to identify them.  

Monday, June 19, 2023, 5:30 p.m.  

Happy Juneteenth! Join us for the very first episode of season four of WVU Extension’s Energy Express on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. 

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.

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.

The West Virginia 4-H Youth in Action Program announces four young leader in 4-H pillar areas: agriculture, civic engagement, healthy living, and STEM.

Monday, July 25, 2022, 9 a.m.  

We’re kicking off week six with a read-aloud of “The Earth Gives More” by Sue Fleiss. Read by Lauren Seiler, Director of Development at WVU Extension, and her son Henry, this story details the beauty that Earth has to offer. Next, Meshea Poore gives some great advice on how to deal with new beginnings. Then, we head to the kitchen with Angela Lawrence, a WVU Extension family and community development agent, to get a few tips on how to pack a healthy, balanced lunch for school. Next, a group of West Virginia 4-H’ers talks about how to explore and pursue career pathways in areas related to climate change. To finish off today, Kerri Carte is back to teach us how to make homemade popcorn with flavors even better than the pre-made kind.  

West Virginia 4-H is proud to recognize 24 winners from 17 counties in the 2022 State 4-H Poster Contest