By Stephen Smoot
As the school year commences and starts ramping up during the cooling temperatures of fall, summer youth programs have already, or are in the process of, winding down.
Of course in the world of youth programs, the world runs in cycles. Programs have ended and the drive to get even more kids involved next year has only begun.
Brooke Alt administrates youth programming as one of Pendleton County’s dynamic duo of West Virginia University Extension agents. One of the purposes of the open house lay in “parents and guardians can bring their kids in and pick up certificates and medals for their hard work all year long.”
Multiple tables had their tops almost completely covered in certificates of recognition and accomplishment. Some of them even featured small ribbons.
Upper Tract 4-H, for example, earned recognition as Pendleton County’s top 4-H club, earning blue ribbon recognition. Clubs earn this tier through member attendance, work on projects, and much more. Other clubs operate in North Fork, Deer Run, Sugar Grove, and Franklin.
Alt reflected on a successful year for 4-H in Pendleton County, saying, “They were very good this year,” adding that in her 10 years of service with the agency “we’ve had the highest amount” of youth participants. According to the Pendleton County WVU Extension Service website, 125 young people participate as part of the seven clubs.
“It helps that we have a lot of in-school programs and community clubs,” remarked Alt.
The open house also coincided with the start of the “4-H year.” Programming opened on Oct 1. Four-H membership is open to “youths with birthdates between Oct. 1, 2004, and June 30, 2017.” For younger ages, the Cloverbuds program accepts those born between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2020.
Opportunities include the chance to work on projects within the community, travel to conferences and other events, and explore interests. Within West Virginia, 4-H youth will have the opportunity to attend up to nine camps. Additionally, others can take part in competitions. Any activity will help young people to develop skills, communication abilities, organization, creativity, and much more.
Alt said that whatever a child may have interest in, he or she will likely find it somewhere in 4-H. Robotics has even emerged as a popular field within the agricultural organization.
Also at the open house, Susan Carroll from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection shared youth opportunities with that organization. These include a coloring contest for Pre-K through third grade and also a “Freedom Conference” open to grades four and five, six through eight, and nine through 12.
This contest invites participants to “create something related to recycling. One can paint, draw a picture, write a poem, create a game, compose or sing a song, make a short video, write an essay, mold a sculpture, or create a collage including a theme of recycling.”
Carroll explained that she grew up in 4-H and that the values taught there led her into the field of protecting the land and surrounding environment. “It’s such a great way to get your kids involved in the community,” she noted.
The DEP also holds camps, conferences, and other youth assemblages. At the Youth Environmental Conference held annually in the fall, for example, young people can attend workshops in an area of the state guaranteed to inspire attendees with natural beauty.
