Grant County 4-H
Grant County is a rural area having two high schools and four elementary schools. The needs of youth have been identified in an issues identification process as being of high priority. Comparative data relating to these concerns include low per-capita income, high rate of children living in poverty, low high school graduation rates, low postsecondary education participation, teen pregnancy, and high unemployment.
By far, 4-H is the most known and visible Extension development program, best known for its 4-H clubs and summer 4-H camps, but Extension also offers literacy and adult volunteer leadership programming related to 4-H and youth development. Regular 4-H membership is open to all youths in grade 3 through age 21.
Current programs include 4-H youth development with:
- * an enrollment of more than 250 youth in six 4-H clubs
- * an active Teen Leader Organization
- * more than 30 adult volunteers who serve as leaders and mentors in youth programs
- * a Forestry Judging Team
- * a Horse Judging Team
- * a Livestock Judging Team
- * school enrichment programs
- * two weeks of summer 4-H camp (Older and Younger Camp)
- * a two-day Cloverbud day camp for children in grades K-2
- * a summer Energy Express site
- * Nutrition Education through the Family Nutrition Program’s Nutrition Outreach Instructor
Meeting the needs of youth is critical in educational programming. Involving older adults, young families, and youths in action learning is instrumental in developing infrastructure for sustaining families and communities.
The West Virginia 4-H Health Initiative increases the knowledge of health and motivates youths and their families to improve targeted everyday health behaviors. Trained youth 4-H Health Officers conduct hands-on health activities at monthly club meetings. Club members set monthly goals to improve health habits and track progress on a 4-H Health Planner. Families receive reinforcing take-home messages. Materials focus on a yearly theme – 2007, dental health, 2008, physical activity, and 2009, eating healthy. Content is adaptable to various settings – clubs, school classrooms, after-school programs, and camps.
