(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — West Virginia 4-H youths are proving they’re not just ready for the future — they’re “Beyond Ready” during National 4-H Week this week. held Oct. 5-11,

The National 4-H Week is hosted nationally each year to encourage young people to join a local club where they will meet other youths, participate in meaningful learning opportunities, serve their communities and enjoy the host of activities offered by the nation’s largest youth development program.

This year, the Beyond Ready initiative continues to invite incoming members to learn how 4-H builds a ready generation with skills needed for the future.

West Virginia 4-H is a free youth development program of West Virginia University Extension that reaches more than 50,000 young people each year through clubs, camps, schools and other specialized programs, like science, technology, engineering and math education. Faculty, staff and volunteers provide unique environments where young people can grow and learn about a host of activities and educational programs, including annual projects.

By signing up for the 4-H program, clubs also provide youths with new experiences, important leadership skills and enhanced confidence. There are two types of 4-H clubs — community clubs and special interest clubs. Community clubs meet monthly to plan social, promotional, service and fundraising activities for club members. Special interest clubs focus on a specific topic, like teen leadership, shooting sports, or horses.

Youths between the ages of 8 (as of June 30) and 21 can join 4-H with a parent or guardian’s permission.

Younger children, ages 5 to 7 (as of June 30), who are interested in the practices of 4-H can join a pre-4-H program called Cloverbuds, which focuses more on fun and social activities that set the stage for future learning. Older members can become active in any of the seven collegiate 4-H clubs in the state.

According to Jodi Smith, WVU Extension 4-H youth development agent in Wood County, 4-H is an opportunity for those in the Wood and Wirt County area to join an organization that is helping to empower youths to become true leaders within their communities.

“4-H isn’t just preparing kids for the future–it’s preparing them to lead it. In Wood and Wirt counties, our youth are gaining real-world skills, confidence, and character that make them more than ready–they’re beyond ready,” Smith said. “Whether it’s in clubs, at camp, or at the state level, 4-H offers young people real opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. These experiences help shape confident, capable leaders who are ready to make a difference.”

While 4-H programs of the past have focused on agriculture and farming, today’s 4-H programs are more diverse, exposing kids to hands-on learning experiences in areas such as science, engineering, technology, citizenship, leadership, land judging, shooting sports and healthy lifestyles. Club members may also learn about higher education opportunities and even be eligible for scholarships available through WVU Extension.

To join in the National 4-H Week celebration, 4-H members, alumni, volunteers and supporters were encouraged to wear green on Monday, Oct. 6, and highlight the good work of 4-H on Thursday, Oct. 9. Throughout the week, those who share their stories on social media should use #4HBeyondReady and #National4HWeek.

For more information about 4-H opportunities in your community, contact the WVU Extension office in Wood County at 304-424-1960 or contact in Wirt County at 304-275-3101 or visit extension.wvu.edu.