Wood County Extension Service

The mission of the West Virginia University Extension Service is to form learning partnerships with the people of West Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities.

4-H and Youth

MEMBERSHIP How do I join 4-H? Ask your local Extension office or a local 4-H member or leader about how to join. You may join an existing club or start a new club. Who can join 4-H? Four-H is open to youth regardless of race, religion, color, gender, national origin, handicap or place of residence. West Virginia has programs for youth who are 5 to 21 years old. Why join 4-H? 4-H is fun with friends. 4-H is learning and doing cool things. 4-H is meetings, camp, workshops, social activities, trips, and fairs. 4-H is leadership opportunities and helping others. 4-H is responsibility, hard work, and success. How can I find a 4-H club near me? Contact your local Extension Service office for information. How can I start a 4-H club? Contact your local Extension Service office for information and assistance. How much does it cost to belong to 4-H? There are no state or national 4-H dues. Four-H members usually pay for the costs of project materials and activities. Some clubs have financial sponsors and some clubs hold fundraisers approved by their county Extension office to pay club expenses. Members should never be excluded from 4-H because they are unable to pay club dues. Is there a 4-H program for college students? Yes. College students may join Collegiate 4-H, an orginization whose motto is "Continuing to Serve, Serving to Continue". For more information, please visit http://www.collegiatet4h.org and check with your state 4-H office and the activities director of your college or university. PROJECTS What's a project? Four-H projects are in-depth learning experiences for 4-H members. Training, pets, making clothing, repairing computers, growing plants, and building rockets are just a few examples of 4-H projects. A wide range of projects if offered in West Virginia. Where can I find project resources online? Please visit our list of online resources at http://www.4-h.org/resources. Where do I find information on project records Requirements can vary from county to county and state to state, so it's best to contact your local Extension office for this information. Some state 4-H web sites also have project record resources and forms available online. WOOD COUNTY 4-H DIRECTORY Jodi Smith - Extension Agent Kara Rogers - Program Assistant AMERICAN BRUSHPOPPERS BELLEVILLE CEDAR GROVE DANIEL BOONE FAIRVIEW INNER CITY CHIPPEWAS LUBECK NORTHERN LIGHTS ROCKPORT CHALLENGERS SAND HILL SAULSBURY SHOOTING SPORTS SPIDER RIDGE STILLWELL WAVERLY WOLFPACK WOODCHUCKS

NATIONAL 4-H STATISTICS Number of Youth in 4-H • 6,834,338 youth, 5 to 19 years old, participated in 4-H programs in 2000. Youth Participated in 4-H in These Ways • 1,604,972 youth were members of 103,603 4-H clubs. • 2,571,223 youth were members of 90,244 4-H special interest groups. • 3,640,115 youth were members of 131,912 4-H school enrichment programs. • 61,593 participated in 4-H individual study programs. • 43,151 youth were enrolled in 4-H instructional TV programs. • 96,534 youth were in 5,206 school-aged child care programs. • 303,470 youth attended 9,905 Extension 4-H youth camping programs. WHO ARE THESE YOUTH? Residence of youth participating in 4-H • 10% (676,353) lived on farms. • 32% (2,180,488) lived in towns under 10,000 and open country. • 23% (1,560,667) lived in towns and cities of 10,000 to 50,000. • 9% (592,845) lived in suburbs of cities of over 50,000. • 26% (1,823,985) lived in central cities 50,000 plus. Racial / Ethnic Information of youth participating in 4-H • 30% are from minority racial-ethnic groups. Gender Information • 52% (3,574,245) are girls. • 48% (3,260,093) are boys. Grades of youth participating in 4-H • Grades K-3: 33% (2,246,066). • Grades 4-6: 37% (2,549,069). • Grades 7-9: 17% (1,135,755). • Grades 10-12: 10% (690,251). • Other (post high school, out of school, or in special programs: 3% (214,197). I Pledge... My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service, and, My Health to better living, For my Club, my Community, my Country, and my World. Motto: "To Make The Best Better"

Extension programs and activities offered by Wood County Extension are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status.