4-H Youth Development

4-H Youth Development

4-H Youth Development

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

What is 4-H?

4-H Youth Development is part of Kentucky Cooperative Extension.  Extension’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through non-formal education for the entire family.  Extension agents and volunteers take the results of university research and explain it in such a way that different age groups can learn and apply the information to their own lives. Kentucky 4-H believes in providing positive youth development experiences that all youth to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.  

4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succeed in today’s global society. 4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. The four H's represent the idea of HeadHeartHandsand Health. These are the values members work on through fun and engaging programs.

Head   Managing, Thinking

Heart   Relating, Caring

Hands   Giving, Working

Health   Being, Living

CAREFULLY follow these steps to enroll in Calloway 4-H Online

Enrollment instructions

 

4-H Online

Click this link to enroll your youth in Calloway County 4-H. Follow the instructions to the left and call the Calloway County Extension Office at 270-753-1452 if you have any trouble!

Enroll Here!

4-H Club Kickoff Dates

Calloway County Calipers "Pistol": 9.16.24
Sewing: 9.17.24
Archery: 9.17.24
Fine Arts: 9.19.24
Chess: 9.19.24
"Let's Tackle Fishing" Project: 9.23.24
Rifle: 9.24.24

Click on each club name below for all the detailed Calloway 4-H club info !

Calloway County 4-H Community Clubs: What is your age going to be on January 1, 2025? That is your 4-H age!

Meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 4-5:30pm in Cabin 1 (Lee Furst Sewing Cabin) starting September 17, 2024. Must be age 9-18 to participate. 4-H Sewing Club offers youth a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop sewing skills in a supportive environment. Participants will receive hands-on instruction from trained volunteers. Whether they are new to sewing or looking to improve their skills, this club provides a fun and engaging space for young people to create, learn, and grow. $5 yearly club dues paid at first meeting attended. Limited to 12 youth (YOU MUST CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN ADVANCE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLUB). Leaders- Natalie Mendenhall & Connie Talent

Meet every other Thursday in Cabin 3 at 6pm. No age restriction or cost. Club dates can be found on their Facebook page "MCC 4H Chess Club". Leader: Nathan Hughes

Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5-6pm in Cabin 3. Must be age 9-18 to participate. Example projects include watercolor, acrylic, linoleum prints, batik, oil pastels, Christmas/winter ornaments, and much more!! $20/year club dues paid at first meeting attended. Limited to 15 youth (YOU MUST CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN ADVANCE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLUB). Leader- Chris Scarbrough-Key

Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 5:30-6:30pm at the Extension Campus archery range. Participants must be 9 years or older on January 1, 2025 to participate. $30/year club dues paid at first meeting attended. This club focuses on the safe handling of bows, learning basic marksmanship, building skills and confidence, maintenance and cleaning. Parents required to stay for the first few meetings. Coach- Shanna Neely.  

Meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month (September- October) at 5pm on the Extension Campus rifle range. October dates will change to Oct. 15 & 29 due to Fall break & coach availability. One indoor meeting in November, January, and February. No August or December meetings. Range meetings resume in March-July. Participants must be 9 years or older on January 1, 2025 to participate. $30/year club dues paid at first meeting attended. This club focuses on the safe handling of firearms, learning basic rifle marksmanship, building skills and confidence, familiarizing with rifle nomenclature, maintenance and cleaning. Coach- Chris Woodall. 

September 16th Informational meeting and signup 5pm in Cabin 5. October 14th at 5pm is our first safety day-no range. Beginning November 4th, we will meet the first Monday of the month at 5pm at the Extension Campus range. Must be 9 years or older on January 1, 2025 to fire air pistols, age 12 as of January 1 to fire 22 cal. Bring your own earplugs and safety glasses (required). $30/year club dues paid at first meeting attended. We will teach youth how to manage and operate pistols in a fun environment while developing leadership skills with a strong focus on safety. Coach- Josh Williams

Meet 2nd Mondays of the month in the Extension Campus Meeting Hall (unless otherwise specified) from 4:00-5:00pm from January-May plus local judging and skillathon events in the summer. Must be in 3rd grade-8th grade to participate. This club will focus on preparing junior 4-H members for competition in livestock judging and skillathon. Members will learn breeds, equipment, feedstuffs, and best practices related to raising sheep, goats, hogs, and cattle. Members will participate in local livestock judging and skillathon events. Leaders- Kelsey & Matt Chadwick

Meets on Mondays for 6 weeks. Meeting dates are Sept. 23, 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 5:30-6:30pm in Cabin 3. Must be 4-H age 9-19 to participate. $30/year club dues paid at first meeting attended. Limited to 20 youth (YOU MUST CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE IN ADVANCE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CLUB). This club will be learning about how to fish and the importance of fishing and its relationship to the environment. One parent is required to stay for the duration of each meeting. Leaders- Betty Hansen & Janet Dees

For 8th Grade - 12th Grade. The group meets at the MSU IT building for 2 hrs/day on Weekdays and every Saturday, January - March. Also a few meetings throughout the year before and after season. No dues to join, but travel to events has historically been up to the students. It is free to participate in the build process.

The Murray State University FIRST Robotics Team is a dynamic group of students and mentors dedicated to inspiring innovation and cultivating a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through competitive robotics. As part of the global FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), the team designs, builds, and programs sophisticated robots to compete in intense, high-energy events that combine the excitement of sports with the rigors of engineering and technology.

FRC, also known as the "varsity sport for the mind," is an international high school robotics competition that challenges teams to build a robot that can perform specific tasks in a game-like setting. Teams are given six weeks to brainstorm, prototype, and develop a robot that meets the competition's annual game challenge. The robots, often weighing up to 120+ pounds, are built to handle complex tasks such as shooting balls, climbing walls, or performing autonomous operations. Each year's challenge is unique, pushing teams to think creatively and work collaboratively to solve complex problems under pressure.

At Murray State, the FIRST Robotics Team goes beyond just building robots. It fosters a sense of community, leadership, and teamwork while promoting hands-on learning and technical skill development. The team also engages in outreach activities, workshops, and demonstrations, inspiring younger students and the local community to get involved in STEM. With the support of faculty, industry mentors, and alumni, the team not only competes at a high level but also serves as an ambassador for the university's commitment to STEM education and innovation.

For 4-H age 9-19. More info coming soon!

Meet bi-monthly during the evenings in different counties in the area. This is a teen-led group focused on leadership, communications, and community service. The council plans and leads the West 1&2 Area Teen Roundup each spring. All meetings will be advertised on the Calloway County 4-H Facebook page and under the events tab. Call the Extension Office to participate. 

Currently on hiatus due to searching for a new leader(s). If you or someone you know are interested in volunteering as the Horse Club leader, please contact Mrs. Calyn at calyn.colston@uky.edu

4-H Upcoming Events

4-H Needle Felting Class

- Calloway County Extension Meeting Hall

Come join students from the Murray State Family and Consumer Sciences program as they teach us how to needle felt a heart magnet from dyed wool. Needle felting is a relaxing hobby that can relieve stress while making something beautiful. This is a free class open to 3rd-12th graders who can be responsible with needles. Students will learn the basics of needle felting and take home a finished project. Please RSVP by calling the Calloway County Extension Office at 270-753-1452.

4-H Area Teen Council

- Lee S. Jones Park- Lyon County

4-H Area Teen Council

- Grand Rivers Community Center

4-H Area Teen Council

- Graves County Extension Office

4-H Area Teen Council

- Calloway County Cooperative Extension Office

How does 4-H benefit youth?

4-H’ers, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, race or gender, benefit from their participation in Kentucky 4-H. Positive youth development studies have affirmed that compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H are:

  • Four times more likely to contribute to their communities. 
  • Two times more likely to be  civically active.
  • Two times more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices.
  • Two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering and Computer Technology  programs during out-of-school time.
  • 4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.

Calyn Colston

Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development

(270) 753-1452 calyn.colston@uky.edu Calloway County Extension Office 93 Extension Way, Murray, Kentucky 42071

Valerie Wright

Extension Assistant, 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Science

(270) 753-1452 valerie.wright2@uky.edu Calloway County Extension Office 93 Extension Way, Murray, Kentucky 42071