MORGANTOWN, W.Va. –– The Monongalia County 4-H programs continue to report growth in the amount of youth participation for their yearly activities.
As part of an overview presented to local officials, West Virginia University Extension agent and 4-H Program Director Becca Flint-Clark reported that the summer camps hosted at Camp Muffly and their numerous seasonal activities around Monongalia County have resulted in an increase in overall youth participation and sign-ups for year-round 4-H programs. The increase in participation was credited to a combination of improvements at 4-H facilities as well as partnerships with the Monongalia County Commission, the City of Morgantown, and the Monongalia County Board of Education, among others.
“Last year we had 5,260 youth participate in 4-H activities that aren’t considered members or campers,” said Flint Clark. “These youth participated in student enrichment activities and different opportunities that we provided throughout the year,” she said.
According to Flint-Clark, over 5,000 Monongalia County children of various age groups participated in 4-H-related programs during fiscal year 2024. This includes regular monthly meetings of the 4-H Clover Bud Club aimed at younger Monongalia County youth (grades K–2), annual seasonal events for teenagers, and the annual hosting of 4-H summer camps at Camp Muffly, Mason Dixon Park, and the Monongalia County Center at Mylan Park. She also mentioned that camp participation is at a near program high, which prompted the opening of a fourth camp to be hosted during the summer.
“We had 340 registered community members last year, and I will mention 304 campers,” said Flint Clark. “So we did add one 4-H camp, we are the only county with four 4-H camps, and that one was held at Mason Dixon Park, so we’re excited to offer that again next summer,” she said.
The large increase in youth participation in Monongalia County 4-H programs has stemmed from a combination of program expansion and local partnerships. One of the major catalysts pointed out by Flint Clark is the regular activities hosted with the help of the Monongalia County Board of Education, which allows for thousands of students to be exposed to various agricultural-related programs. Along with partnerships with West Virginia University Extension and the Monongalia County Commission, Flint Clark feels there is plenty of support from the local community.
“I’m really proud of our school programming; we spend a lot of time in the elementary schools here with a lot of support from our board of education,” Flint Clark said.
Heading into the start of fiscal year 2025, the Monongalia County 4-H program appears to continue to have positive momentum based on early sign-ups for next year’s activities. This includes over 160 youth already signed up for 4-H, close to half of the amount of people who signed up for activities last year. With plans in place to host more seasonal events for teens, monthly activities for younger children, and the continued running of 4-H camps, Flint Clark is excited about the prospects of Monongalia County 4-H.
“4-H enrollment just started, and we have 161 members already enrolled,” said Flint Clark. “I’m planning some teen activities, we have a holiday party coming up, we have a community service event coming up where we’ll bake cookies for first responders and deliver those, so lots of things happening,” she said.